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

SACRAMENT	* An outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace, instituted by Christ. The word "sacrament" is often used with reference to the Communion elements.
SACRAMENTS	*The Holy Spirit grants us the following spiritual blessings through the seven church Sacraments: 1- Through Baptism, we receive the gift of the new birth. 2- Through Chrism (Myron), we receive the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. 3- Through Eucharist, we are united with the Lord's Body and Blood. 4- Through Repentance and Confession, we attain the forgiveness of sins. 5- Through Priesthood, we are given the gift of serving God. 6- Through Matrimony, the groom and the bride become one. 7 -Through Unction of the sick, God grants the cure.
SACRED RIBBON (ZINNAR)	* A ribbon that the priest ties up on the shoulder of the baptized as a sign of his union with our Lord Jesus Christ. * The priest also ties up a ribbon on the groom's shoulder as a sign of his union with the bride, in Christ.
SAINTS FEASTS	* Nearly every day the church remembers the repose of a martyr or a saint. Besides it celebrates the heavenly creatures feasts. etc.
SAINTS'RELICS	* God glorifies His saints as they did glorify Him throughout their lives long. Thus He does wonders through their bodies. * We don't worship the saints but we venerate them, for they are the triumphant children of God.
SANCTUARY	* The section at the commencement of the church. * In it there is an altar, niche and tribune. * The sanctuary represents heaven of heavens where the divine throne is.
"SEVEN AND FOUR" RITUAL	* Hymns that are recited at the vigils of the month of Kiahk. It comprises seven Theoteons* and four Hooses* (interpreta tions).
SICK ANOINTMENT (UNCTION)	* See "Unction."
SACRIFICE, HOLY	* Another name for the Eucharist em phasizing Christ's atonement.
SALVATION	* The gracious deliverance of God, espe cially redemption from sin and its consequen ce.s, this salvation that is fulfilled through the death of Jesus Christ. * Salvation also means our participation in the Glory of our Lord.
SEE	* In the Early Church there was four apos tolic sees: Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria and Rome. Afterwards Constantinople was added.
SINAXARIUM or SYNAXARION	* A book that includes short accounts on the lives of the saints or feasts and fastings arranged according to the Coptic calender. * The Sinaxarium is usually read after reading the" Acts." * The Sinaxarium is not to be read during the 50 days following the Lord's resurrection, for during this period we should be only concerned with the Lord's resurrection.
SLEEVES, ARMLETS	* Sleeves or armlets are made of the same material as the epitrachelion and are worn over the sleeves of the sticharion and fastened with loops and buttons. Although they form part of the liturgical vestments of patriarchs, bishops, and priests yet sleeves are now reserved for ceremonial occasions. They are embroidered with braid crosses or studded with gems, and may also have embroidered biblical inscriptions, such as 'The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly" (PS. 118:16) on the right sleeve and 'Thy hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn thy commandments" (Ps. 119: 73) on the left.
SPASMOS (HOLY KISS)	* Christianity is based on "love" to God and people, and the kiss is a sign of love. * In the Coptic liturgy, believers kiss one another after Reconciliation prayer. However since we have reconciliated with God, conse quently we do reconciliate with each other. * Anyone is not allowed to participate in the Eucharist in case he is in controversy with someeone else.
SPOON	* A silver spoon on top of which is a cross, it is used to receive the Holy Blood vnth.
STICHARION, DALMATIC, ALB (Tuniah)	* The sticharion is a long-sleeved linen vestment. It must be white, not colored, and must reach down to the ankles. It has an open ing on one or both shoulders, with buttons and loops. It is worn by various orders of the clergy from bishops down to subdeacons and is usually adorned with crosses on the front, back, and sleeves.
SUBDEACON	* According to church orders he is counted to be below a deacon, whose duty in the Roman Catholic and the Eastern churches is to prepare the holy vessels for the Mass, and- who in Anglican churches reads the epistle at the Eucharist. * A hand is not put over him and has no priestly class. * He guards church gates and keeps order.
SUNDAY	* The weekly commemoration of the Resurrection and appearance of the Lord to His disciples afterwards (John. 20:19,26). Constantly it is the first day of every week. * Sunday has been kept by Christians since the apostolic era as a day of joyful worship. St. Paul and the Christians of Troas gathered on the first day of the week "to break bread" Acts 20:7. Besides the apostle on writing to the Corinthians, asked his converts to collect their alms on this day (1 Cor. 16:2).
SYMBOLS IN COPTIC ART.	* Such as: Alpha and Omega, Conch She}! The Cross, Dolphins, Eagle, Fish, Nimbus.
SYNOD, HOLY	* The supreme ecclesiastical authority of the Coptic church, under the presidency of the Pope. Ever since the foundation of the church by St. Mark in the first century, there has existed such an authority to protect faith, preserve tradition, and ensure the welfare of the church. All metropolitans, bishops archmandrites and the patriarchal deputies of Cairo and Alexandria are vested with the honor of membership therein. Their number varies from time to time, at the time being they are sixty in average. See "Councils(Local)".

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

SACRAMENT * An outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace, instituted by Christ. The word "sacrament" is often used with reference to the Communion elements.
SACRAMENTS *The Holy Spirit grants us the following spiritual blessings through the seven church Sacraments:
1- Through Baptism, we receive the gift of the new birth.
2- Through Chrism (Myron), we receive the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.
3- Through Eucharist, we are united with the Lord's Body and Blood.
4- Through Repentance and Confession, we attain the forgiveness of sins.
5- Through Priesthood, we are given the gift of serving God.
6- Through Matrimony, the groom and the bride become one.
7 -Through Unction of the sick, God grants the cure.
SACRED RIBBON (ZINNAR) * A ribbon that the priest ties up on the shoulder of the baptized as a sign of his union with our Lord Jesus Christ.
* The priest also ties up a ribbon on the groom's shoulder as a sign of his union with the bride, in Christ.
SAINTS FEASTS * Nearly every day the church remembers the repose of a martyr or a saint. Besides it celebrates the heavenly creatures feasts. etc.
SAINTS'RELICS * God glorifies His saints as they did glorify Him throughout their lives long. Thus He does wonders through their bodies.
* We don't worship the saints but we venerate them, for they are the triumphant children of God.
SANCTUARY * The section at the commencement of the church.
* In it there is an altar, niche and tribune.
* The sanctuary represents heaven of heavens where the divine throne is.
"SEVEN AND FOUR" RITUAL * Hymns that are recited at the vigils of the month of Kiahk. It comprises seven Theoteons* and four Hooses* (interpreta tions).
SICK ANOINTMENT (UNCTION) * See "Unction."
SACRIFICE, HOLY * Another name for the Eucharist em phasizing Christ's atonement.
SALVATION * The gracious deliverance of God, espe cially redemption from sin and its consequen ce.s, this salvation that is fulfilled through the death of Jesus Christ.
* Salvation also means our participation in the Glory of our Lord.
SEE * In the Early Church there was four apos tolic sees: Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria and Rome. Afterwards Constantinople was added.
SINAXARIUM or SYNAXARION * A book that includes short accounts on the lives of the saints or feasts and fastings arranged according to the Coptic calender.
* The Sinaxarium is usually read after reading the" Acts."
* The Sinaxarium is not to be read during the 50 days following the Lord's resurrection, for during this period we should be only concerned with the Lord's resurrection.
SLEEVES, ARMLETS * Sleeves or armlets are made of the same material as the epitrachelion and are worn over the sleeves of the sticharion and fastened with loops and buttons. Although they form part of the liturgical vestments of patriarchs, bishops, and priests yet sleeves are now reserved for ceremonial occasions. They are embroidered with braid crosses or studded with gems, and may also have embroidered biblical inscriptions, such as 'The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly" (PS. 118:16) on the right sleeve and 'Thy hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn thy commandments" (Ps. 119: 73) on the left.
SPASMOS (HOLY KISS) * Christianity is based on "love" to God and people, and the kiss is a sign of love.
* In the Coptic liturgy, believers kiss one another after Reconciliation prayer. However since we have reconciliated with God, conse quently we do reconciliate with each other.
* Anyone is not allowed to participate in the Eucharist in case he is in controversy with someeone else.
SPOON * A silver spoon on top of which is a cross, it is used to receive the Holy Blood vnth.
STICHARION, DALMATIC, ALB (Tuniah) * The sticharion is a long-sleeved linen vestment. It must be white, not colored, and must reach down to the ankles. It has an open ing on one or both shoulders, with buttons and loops. It is worn by various orders of the clergy from bishops down to subdeacons and is usually adorned with crosses on the front, back, and sleeves.
SUBDEACON * According to church orders he is counted to be below a deacon, whose duty in the Roman Catholic and the Eastern churches is to prepare the holy vessels for the Mass, and- who in Anglican churches reads the epistle at the Eucharist.
* A hand is not put over him and has no priestly class.
* He guards church gates and keeps order.
SUNDAY * The weekly commemoration of the Resurrection and appearance of the Lord to His disciples afterwards (John. 20:19,26). Constantly it is the first day of every week.
* Sunday has been kept by Christians since the apostolic era as a day of joyful worship. St. Paul and the Christians of Troas gathered on the first day of the week "to break bread" Acts 20:7. Besides the apostle on writing to the Corinthians, asked his converts to collect their alms on this day (1 Cor. 16:2).
SYMBOLS IN COPTIC ART. * Such as: Alpha and Omega, Conch She}! The Cross, Dolphins, Eagle, Fish, Nimbus.
SYNOD, HOLY * The supreme ecclesiastical authority of the Coptic church, under the presidency of the Pope. Ever since the foundation of the church by St. Mark in the first century, there has existed such an authority to protect faith, preserve tradition, and ensure the welfare of the church. All metropolitans, bishops archmandrites and the patriarchal deputies of Cairo and Alexandria are vested with the honor of membership therein. Their number varies from time to time, at the time being they are sixty in average.
See "Councils(Local)".