Could someone tell me the significance of the napkins used in a Coptic service please? I've just been given, (surprised) many silk, laced edged, embroidered napkins from a Coptic. Not large, (hand made i would say) but as i would like to know the true significance.
Im aware of a master folding a napkin at table setting, or not folding
Thank you
Comments
Compared to the distribution of Roman Catholic eucharist, Coptic communion may only be given by a priest, and just as Byzantine Catholic and Orthodox, we are not allowed to touch it.
It is initially used in a similar manner to the plate some Catholics have the Deacon hold between the Priest/Eucharistic Minister during distribution of the Holy Mysteries, then we place it over out mouths.
Please forgive me, as I am not sure of your awareness of how we distribute the Holy Mysteries, but it is separate just as the Roman's, unlike being mixed in the Byzantine rite and it is leavened bread. We receive the Blood from a small spoon, not directly from the cup like Catholics. Sadly, when I was Roman Catholic, many churches did not give the Blood to laity. You cannot do that in the Coptic church.
The Priest is the only person who does not use this during communion. Comparatively, Copts are extremely respectful to the Eucharist, and as you'll learn more about out Liturgy, how the Priest cleans the paten will reflect the seriousness.
I hope this helps!
Everything has its own designated purpose :)
I've never heard that term used by the Orthodox church, but I do believe you were referring to the small cloth placed over our mouths. I doubt anyone would give out the Altar, "corporals" to people.
And in reference to the Monastic hood. There is a Star Trek episode of the original series where a Captain beamed down to a planet when his crew died from some kind of virus. The Captain became involved in War between the two factions on the planet. The Enterprise, of course, came to find the ship, then eventually the Caption down on the planet.
The bad Captain asked Captain Kirk to beam down ten phasers, so they could be used as weapons. When Kirk asked his crew, they denied him, as that was against protocol. I would have to say the same thing about a Monastic hood. You do not become a Monk by getting the hood. If I walk around in a black tunic with pectoral cross, am I a Priest? No.
I am extremely blessed to serve in a female Monastery, but I don't believe it appropriate to purchase clerical garments online. It took me two years after ordination to receive a person cross as Reader!
I also believe you must be a member of clergy to order them. If I am incorrect, please forgive me for my ignorance.
Best of luck again!
Your Brother in Christ.
Here is info about the term, "Corporal." It's stems for the Latin word, Corpus, which means Body. My apologies for the confusion.
https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04386c.htm
@Ricci I'll ask the Nuns and my Priest. Me, my wife and son go up to see our Priest once a week. I'll see what he can do. He usually has some goodies, and collects Liturgy items as you do. I didn't remember you were a Priest. My apologies again!
@Ricci
I’m sorry I didn’t understand anything from this comment: “As for hoods, i wont go into detail, but i am ordained and have been through all offices a such, from brother, deacon to now. I have many cassocks and skull caps, all given at ordinations.”
What are you ordained? What offices and ordinations? Oh and can you clarify if you are Coptic Orthodox or not, please? This will help clarify a lot of confusion in my head right now.
God Bless!
I didn't mean to brag! Please forgive me. I don't want to make you jealous!! I☹☹
I serve at female Monastery in Ohio over here in the States. They are still in lockdown until early June. It is a unique situation as it is located a neighborhood in a populated suburban area. We have a small congregation, but we've lost a number of people due to the politics of it.
I do not serve or attend Liturgy at our Monastery at this time because the head Mother only allows a few guys to serve (both are single men in their 30s and 40s, while I am married and have a son) during the Liturgy.
I also don't believe it to be very appropriate if so many are not receiving the Holy Mysteries and here I am going all the time. I don't even feel comfortable about us having Liturgy, but that's a bit above me pay grade.
We are very close to our Priest and his family, so perhaps I shouldn't go around talking about it. He is a very approachable guy, and his immediate congregation is very small, so he's very accessible.
I miss the Liturgy as well, so I'm with you!
@JoJo_Hanna
I believe @Ricci explained he is a Roman Catholic Priest. He is part of the Old Catholic Church, which separated from the Roman church in the 19th century over papal infallibility, and I believe their clergy marry as well. He collects religious items, which my Priest does, and I do as well. I have a hat from Abouna Fanous, and relics of Abu Sephem (my bad on the spelling) and other items.
He is an ordained Priest in his communion. That's what he meant.
thanks for explaining, ricci!
italiancoptic,
i don't mind, but i wish we could be have liturgy in our houses in small groups, although i am fairly sure we don't have enough priests to make that possible, they are busy enough as it is.
i do think that those who are able to get to church should have Holy Communion and attend liturgy, as that way you will have more grace and patience to deal with those like me who are complaining. so i am not really that jealous, i just realised that i was missing these things!
i have opened a new discussion topic so i can rant about it and not distract the topic of this one.
:)
@italianCoptic
I forgot to thank you both for repetitively clarifying the things that weren’t clear for me! Thank you both so much!