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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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destroying <strong>the</strong> doors of copper, in order <strong>to</strong> free <strong>the</strong> righteous<br />

ones : "He led <strong>the</strong>m out of captivity and gave gifts <strong>to</strong> men"<br />

(Ephesians 4:8). He freed <strong>the</strong>m <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> authority of Satan<br />

and returned <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong> gift of lost paradise.<br />

Meditate, my beloved, on all <strong>the</strong>se meanings during <strong>the</strong><br />

priest's prayer in this wonderful part during <strong>the</strong> recitation of<br />

<strong>the</strong> congregation, "I will pray with <strong>the</strong> spirit and I will pray<br />

with understanding" (1 Corinthians 14:15).<br />

The priest continues, "He rose <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> dead on <strong>the</strong> third<br />

day..." Previously <strong>the</strong> priest paused at <strong>the</strong> incident of<br />

Christ's crucifixion, His death on <strong>the</strong> cross, and <strong>the</strong> descent<br />

of His Spirit in<strong>to</strong> Hades in order <strong>to</strong> save <strong>the</strong> righteous. He<br />

<strong>the</strong>n completes <strong>the</strong> incident of His resurrection, and His<br />

second coming which will be fulfilled at <strong>the</strong> end of ages,<br />

when <strong>the</strong> Lord Jesus will judge <strong>the</strong> world and reward<br />

everyone according <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir deeds.<br />

We might forget all <strong>the</strong>se important matters so <strong>the</strong> priest<br />

reminds us <strong>to</strong> prepare ourselves for <strong>the</strong> awesome day of <strong>the</strong><br />

Lord. Prepare yourselves with repentance and purity and<br />

adorn yourselves with spiritual virtues, so that we are not<br />

cast out <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> presence of Christ.<br />

The priest reminds his congregation about <strong>the</strong> Second<br />

Coming and <strong>the</strong> general judgement. The congregation<br />

proclaim saying, "Let it be according <strong>to</strong> Your mercy O<br />

Lord, and not according <strong>to</strong> our sins."<br />

My beloved, beat your chest three times while calling <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Lord this prayer for rescue, <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r with <strong>the</strong> whole church,<br />

resembling <strong>the</strong> tax collec<strong>to</strong>r who did not like <strong>to</strong> lift his eyes<br />

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