How to Benefit from the Holy Liturgy - Pope Kirillos Scientific Family

The Anaphora
The Heavenly Hymn
The priest turns and blesses the congregation with the sign of
the cross saying, "The Lord be with you all," and the
congregation responds, "And with your spirit."
Here the priest asks God to dwell in the midst of His people
and bless them. He also warns the congregation about this
great divine dwelling, of Christ who is Emmanuel, meaning
'God is with us' or 'God is in our midst', is present and
residing amongst His people.
My beloved, feel the presence of God in the midst of His
people and reverently stand and proclaim with the
congregation, giving your father the priest this same grace
saying, "And with your spirit."
The priest then says, "Lift up your hearts." Lift your hearts
to God and forsake the worldly worries to concentrate in
worshipping and praising God. My beloved, benefit from this
advice, and lift not only your heart to God, but all your
existence, your mind, heart, hands, eyes and whole body as a
sacrifice of love for Him who redeemed you by His blood.
The congregation responds, "They are with the Lord."
When saying this response, think to yourself, is your heart at
this moment specifically with God If you have said this
statement and your heart is busy with other cares, then you
have lied to the Lord. The apostle advises us by saying: "Do
not lie to one another" (Colossians 3:9). How much more
lying are we going to do to God
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