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

partakers of the Communion of the Holy Body and Blood of
Jesus Christ, "And the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guide your hearts and minds through
Jesus Christ" (Philippians 4:7).
We notice this is the first time the priest says, "Peace be
with you all," without making the sign of the cross. The
reason is because after the dwelling of the Holy Spirit upon
the mysteries and the transubstantiation into the Holy Body
and Blood of our God, the Lord Himself is present and the
priest is now standing in the presence of the High Priest, our
beloved Lord Jesus Christ. We notice that the statement,
"Peace be with you all," is repeated many times from there
on without any signing of the cross.
The only permissible signing of the cross, after the dwelling
of the Holy Spirit, are on the Mysteries, such as when the
sign of the cross is made on the Body by the Blood and the
Blood by the Body.
Respond with the congregation, "And also with you,"
requesting God to fill the priest with peace and comfort, so
that His Divine peace may overflow onto you and all others.
In this way, problems and disputes will be eliminated from
families and individuals, and everyone, "May lead a quiet
and peaceful life in godliness and reverence. For this is
good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who
desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge
of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:2-4).
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