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

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

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His Holiness, <strong>the</strong>y can only praise Him by saying, "<strong>Holy</strong>,<br />

<strong>Holy</strong>, <strong>Holy</strong>." Let us also look <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> beauty of God, in<br />

faith, in His holiness when we sing this praise.<br />

The Three <strong>Holy</strong> 'Agios'<br />

The priest takes this praise, which was said by <strong>the</strong><br />

congregation and recites it in a beautiful tune as he makes<br />

<strong>the</strong> sign of <strong>the</strong> Cross three times, firstly upon himself, <strong>the</strong>n<br />

upon <strong>the</strong> servants on ei<strong>the</strong>r side of <strong>the</strong> altar, and finally upon<br />

<strong>the</strong> congregation.<br />

When <strong>the</strong> priest makes <strong>the</strong> sign of <strong>the</strong> cross on <strong>the</strong><br />

congregation saying, "Agios", make <strong>the</strong> sign of <strong>the</strong> cross<br />

and bow before God reverently.<br />

The prayer of `Agios' or `<strong>Holy</strong>' is <strong>the</strong> holiest and strongest of<br />

prayers, and <strong>the</strong> most chastening for <strong>the</strong> devil, who is <strong>the</strong><br />

enemy of all holiness. It includes honouring God, and <strong>the</strong><br />

word `<strong>Holy</strong>' means 'high' and “who cannot lie” (Titus 1:2),<br />

and “<strong>Holy</strong>, harmless, undefiled, separate <strong>from</strong> sinners,<br />

and has become higher than <strong>the</strong> heavens” (Hebrews 7:26).<br />

In <strong>the</strong> Syrian language, `Agios' means ‘has no limit in<br />

greatness, love, justice and all divine qualities.’<br />

As <strong>the</strong> saints in heaven praise Him saying, "Great and<br />

marvellous are Your works Lord God Almighty, who shall<br />

not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name, for You<br />

alone are holy" (Revelations 15:3,4), and Hannah, Samuel's<br />

mo<strong>the</strong>r prayed saying, "There is none holy like <strong>the</strong> Lord<br />

for <strong>the</strong>re is none beside You, nor <strong>the</strong>re is any rock like our<br />

God" (1 Samuel 2:2).<br />

105

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