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

V After placing the Diptych incense in the censer, the priest
or the deacon offers it before the icons of the saints in the
church.
V After placing the Diptych incense into the censer, the
deacon takes it and walks through the rows of
congregation, blowing into the censor.
One may ask: 'What is the reason for offering incense before
the saints' icons, if the incense is meant for the departed and
not for the saints' and, 'What is the reason for the deacon
walking amongst the congregation and blowing into the
censor'
His Grace Bishop Gregorios, the Bishop of Scientific
Research, responds to both questions as follows: "The
deacon ought to carry incense to the congregation who are
outside the sanctuary, so that they can pray for their loved
ones who have departed in His name. Then the priest takes
the censer, and prays for the reposed and mercy of the
departed, and the incense rises with the prayers of the saints
upon the golden altar which is before the throne of Christ"
(Revelations 8:3,4 and 5:8).
The most preferable is for the celebrant priest to come to the
congregation with the censer, followed by a deacon who
carries a dish containing the beads of incense. The people
then take from it according to the number of people they
know who have departed, pray on it and give it to the
deacon, who then gives it to the priest who offers it in the
sanctuary. If there is only one priest celebrating the Holy
Mass, then a deacon will take the beads of incense to the
people, followed by another deacon who will collect them
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