Coptic Centre, UK


The Official Website of the Coptic Orthodox Church Centre, United Kingdom Under the care of H.G. Bishop Angaelos

By Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malty

PALM SUNDAY	* The Sunday preceding Easter; the seventh Sunday in Lent; the first day of the Holy Week, commemorating the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem; traditionally symbolized by the use of palm decorations and crosses on this day.
PARADISE	* The abode or state after death where departed souls of the righteous await final judg ment; often used as synonymous with the garden of Eden and heaven.
PARAMONE	* A Greek term meaning watch, vigil, especially on the eve of a festival. Its Arabic equivalent, Paramun, is a term generally used for the vigils of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ and of the Epiphany. It is a fast requiring abstention from eating fish, meat, eggs, milk, butter, and cheese. If the day before the feast happens to be Saturday or Sunday, then the paramone begins on Friday because it is not permitted to fast on Saturday or Sunday.
PASCH (Holy Week)	* "Pasch" means "Passover." It reminds us of the Israelites' Passover of the Red Sea when they came out of Egypt, and slaughtered the Passover lamb. * The Holy Week is called "Pasch," for our Lord Jesus Christ died for our sake to take us up to His heavens. * During the "Pasch" we grief for our sins that caused our Lord to suffer. * All the Holy Week long we don't lit the lamps in front of the icons, besides we don't practice "Agbia" (Canonical Hours) prayers.
PASTORAL STAFF	* Every bishop has his official staff that refers to his responsibility towards serving God's people. * The bishop receives the staff from the top of the altar, that he may feel responsible in front of God.
PATRIARCH	* Head of the Coptic church. The word is a composite term originating from Latin and Greek words: pater (father) and arch os (leader or chief). In the Coptic church the term signifies the head of the entire church organization with metropolitans, bishops, and priests under his church authority. In the earliest times the head of the church was the bishop of Alexandria, who came to be identified as Pappas, or Pope.
PATRIARCHAL DEPUTY	* A position similar to that of vicar general in the Western church. This deputy may be a priest, monk, or bishop, and is chosen by the patriarch to assist him in the administration of his diocese. The Coptic patriarchate has two deputies, one in Alexandria and another in Cairo, who deputize for the Pope in these two cities. Both of them are ex officio members of the "holy Synod."
PATRIARCHAL RESIDENCES.	* From the time of St. Mark, the first patriarch of the Egyptian church, the Coptic patriarchs resided at Alexandria, the cradle of Egyptian Christianity. This was the first patriarchal seat in Egypt, but there were also others, depending on historical circumstances. * For the decade 965-975, the patriarchal seat was at the village of Mahallat Danyal in the district of Ridah, probably with some interludes at Alexandria. * The present residence is within the compound of the new Saint Mark's Cathedral at Anba Reuis, Abbasiyyah, Cairo.
PAULINE EPISTLES	* St. Paul the Apostle wrote 14 Epistles. * A chapter of St. Paul's Epistles is usually read during the Eucharist.
PATEN	* A round silver plate, where the lamb is put. * It refers to the Lord Jesus Christ manger and grave.
PERPETUAL LAMP (STAR)	* The lamp that is hanged in the niche. PILGRIM (Wanderer) * A monk who longs to live in solitude, all alone in the desert, not seeing man's face for a long time. He spends his life in praising God and praying on behalf of the whole world.
PILLARS	* Pillars in our Church reminds us of the Lord's promise: "If you conquer, I will make you a pillar in the temple of My God" Rev. 3: 12. * On the top of each pillar is a crown.
POPE	* He is the Patriarch, the believers' spiritual father. * The title "pope" has been in use in the Egyptian church from the beginning of the third century. In Rome its use began in the second half of the fourth century. From the sixth century, it was reserved in the West for the bishop of Rome. Today it designates an ordinary priest among the Greeks (Pappas). Remnants of it have been preserved among the Slaves (pope, pip).
PRIEST	* He is called "Presbyter" meaning that he intercedes, for he prays on behalf of God's people. * The priest has a pastoral role towards God's people, he cares for them and serves them as his own children.
PRIESTHOOD	* The Lord Jesus Christ is our High Priest. * God raises priests in His Church. * The orders of priesthood are: 1- Bishopric: The Patriarch, the Metropolitan and the Bishop. 2- Presbytery: priest and Protopriest. 3- Deaconary: Archdeacon and deacon.
PRIESTLY VESTMENTS	* The distinctive dress worn by the clergy when performing the liturgy. 1- Amice (Taylasan): It was originally a hood covering the head and neck. It symbolizes the helmet of salvation resembling the soldier's helmet as a sign of his spiritual vigilance during prayer. It looks like a crown which priests wear while celebrating the liturgy of the Eucharist. 2- Dalmatic, sticharion* or Alb (Tuniah): A long white linen garment reaching the feet and decorated with crosses on the front, back and borders. I} refers to the angel's purity. 3- Girdle. 4- Epitrachelion . 5- Stole a. Deacon's stole. b. Priest's stole (patrashil). 6- Armlets sleeves 7- Phelonion or Supervestment (Bornos). 8- Crown (Priestly Cap). 9- Crozier or staff of pastoral authority
PROCESSIONAL	* In feasts, Clergymen oftenly practice processions, preceded by a crucifier with a processional cross. Bishops and priests carry censers while the deacons carry candles. * Processions take place .in the Sanctuary and in the nave of the church as a symbol of the communion of the heavenly creatures together with the believers.
PROCESSIONAL CROSS	* The deacon holds this cross at the com mencement of the festival processions, and on receiving a bishop. * A sign of triumph over the devil.
PROSPHARlNE (Altar's veil)	* The Greek word "prosharine" means "to offer the oblation." * A cover put over the holy elements, on the altar. * To be put after the Prayer of Thanksgiv ing, and removed after Reconciliation (Spas mos). * It refers to the stone that the angel had I moved aside after the Lord's resurrection.
PROTO PRIEST	* Also called "Hegumenos" meaning a "dis- ~ poser," for he disposes church affairs together with his brethren, the priests.
PSALMODY	* It is the book of church hymns. * We have an annual Psalomdy, and another for "Kiahk", i.e. used during the month of "Kiahk" which comes right before Christmas.
PULPIT	* The Latin word "pulpitum" means "plat form." * An elevated stand of stone or wood for the preacher or reader to stand on. * In early Christian times the bishop preached from his cathedra. Later the ambo was used for the sermon and in still later times the rood-loft. Except in cathedrals the north side of the nave is considered the proper place for the pulpit. * See Ambo.
PUTTING ON HANDS	* See "Imposition of Hands."

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, R, S, T, U, V, W

PALM SUNDAY * The Sunday preceding Easter; the seventh Sunday in Lent; the first day of the Holy Week, commemorating the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem; traditionally symbolized by the use of palm decorations and crosses on this day.
PARADISE * The abode or state after death where departed souls of the righteous await final judg ment; often used as synonymous with the garden of Eden and heaven.
PARAMONE * A Greek term meaning watch, vigil, especially on the eve of a festival. Its Arabic equivalent, Paramun, is a term generally used for the vigils of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ and of the Epiphany. It is a fast requiring abstention from eating fish, meat, eggs, milk, butter, and cheese. If the day before the feast happens to be Saturday or Sunday, then the paramone begins on Friday because it is not permitted to fast on Saturday or Sunday.
PASCH (Holy Week) * "Pasch" means "Passover." It reminds us of the Israelites' Passover of the Red Sea when they came out of Egypt, and slaughtered the Passover lamb.
* The Holy Week is called "Pasch," for our Lord Jesus Christ died for our sake to take us up to His heavens.
* During the "Pasch" we grief for our sins that caused our Lord to suffer.
* All the Holy Week long we don't lit the lamps in front of the icons, besides we don't practice "Agbia" (Canonical Hours) prayers.
PASTORAL STAFF * Every bishop has his official staff that refers to his responsibility towards serving God's people.
* The bishop receives the staff from the top of the altar, that he may feel responsible in front of God.
PATRIARCH * Head of the Coptic church. The word is a composite term originating from Latin and Greek words: pater (father) and arch os (leader or chief). In the Coptic church the term signifies the head of the entire church organization with metropolitans, bishops, and priests under his church authority. In the earliest times the head of the church was the bishop of Alexandria, who came to be identified as Pappas, or Pope.
PATRIARCHAL DEPUTY * A position similar to that of vicar general in the Western church.
This deputy may be a priest, monk, or bishop, and is chosen by the patriarch to assist him in the administration of his diocese. The Coptic patriarchate has two deputies, one in Alexandria and another in Cairo, who deputize for the Pope in these two cities. Both of them are ex officio members of the "holy Synod."
PATRIARCHAL RESIDENCES. * From the time of St. Mark, the first patriarch of the Egyptian church, the Coptic patriarchs resided at Alexandria, the cradle of Egyptian Christianity. This was the first patriarchal seat in Egypt, but there were also others, depending on historical circumstances.
* For the decade 965-975, the patriarchal seat was at the village of Mahallat Danyal in the district of Ridah, probably with some interludes at Alexandria.
* The present residence is within the compound of the new Saint Mark's Cathedral at Anba Reuis, Abbasiyyah, Cairo.
PAULINE EPISTLES * St. Paul the Apostle wrote 14 Epistles. * A chapter of St. Paul's Epistles is usually read during the Eucharist.
PATEN * A round silver plate, where the lamb is put. * It refers to the Lord Jesus Christ manger and grave.
PERPETUAL LAMP (STAR) * The lamp that is hanged in the niche. PILGRIM (Wanderer)
* A monk who longs to live in solitude, all alone in the desert, not seeing man's face for a long time. He spends his life in praising God and praying on behalf of the whole world.
PILLARS * Pillars in our Church reminds us of the Lord's promise: "If you conquer, I will make you a pillar in the temple of My God" Rev. 3: 12. * On the top of each pillar is a crown.
POPE * He is the Patriarch, the believers' spiritual father.
* The title "pope" has been in use in the Egyptian church from the beginning of the third century. In Rome its use began in the second half of the fourth century. From the sixth century, it was reserved in the West for the bishop of Rome.
Today it designates an ordinary priest among the Greeks (Pappas). Remnants of it have been preserved among the Slaves (pope, pip).
PRIEST * He is called "Presbyter" meaning that he intercedes, for he prays on behalf of God's people.
* The priest has a pastoral role towards God's people, he cares for them and serves them as his own children.
PRIESTHOOD * The Lord Jesus Christ is our High Priest.
* God raises priests in His Church.
* The orders of priesthood are:
1- Bishopric: The Patriarch, the Metropolitan and the Bishop.
2- Presbytery: priest and Protopriest.
3- Deaconary: Archdeacon and deacon.
PRIESTLY VESTMENTS * The distinctive dress worn by the clergy when performing the liturgy.
1- Amice (Taylasan): It was originally a hood covering the head and neck. It symbolizes the helmet of salvation resembling the soldier's helmet as a sign of his spiritual vigilance during prayer. It looks like a crown which priests wear while celebrating the liturgy of the Eucharist.
2- Dalmatic, sticharion* or Alb (Tuniah): A long white linen garment reaching the feet and decorated with crosses on the front, back and borders. I} refers to the angel's purity.
3- Girdle.
4- Epitrachelion .
5- Stole
a. Deacon's stole.
b. Priest's stole (patrashil).
6- Armlets sleeves
7- Phelonion or Supervestment (Bornos).
8- Crown (Priestly Cap).
9- Crozier or staff of pastoral authority
PROCESSIONAL * In feasts, Clergymen oftenly practice processions, preceded by a crucifier with a processional cross. Bishops and priests carry censers while the deacons carry candles.
* Processions take place .in the Sanctuary and in the nave of the church as a symbol of the communion of the heavenly creatures together with the believers.
PROCESSIONAL CROSS * The deacon holds this cross at the com mencement of the festival processions, and on receiving a bishop.
* A sign of triumph over the devil.
PROSPHARlNE (Altar's veil) * The Greek word "prosharine" means "to offer the oblation."
* A cover put over the holy elements, on the altar.
* To be put after the Prayer of Thanksgiv ing, and removed after Reconciliation (Spas mos).
* It refers to the stone that the angel had I moved aside after the Lord's resurrection.
PROTO PRIEST * Also called "Hegumenos" meaning a "dis- ~ poser," for he disposes church affairs together with his brethren, the priests.
PSALMODY * It is the book of church hymns.
* We have an annual Psalomdy, and another for "Kiahk", i.e. used during the month of "Kiahk" which comes right before Christmas.
PULPIT * The Latin word "pulpitum" means "plat form."
* An elevated stand of stone or wood for the preacher or reader to stand on.
* In early Christian times the bishop preached from his cathedra. Later the ambo was used for the sermon and in still later times the rood-loft. Except in cathedrals the north side of the nave is considered the proper place for the pulpit.
* See Ambo.
PUTTING ON HANDS * See "Imposition of Hands."