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