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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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<strong>the</strong> Ephesians, so that we may meditate on his words and<br />

apply <strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> our duties and relations during <strong>the</strong> day...<br />

"I, <strong>the</strong>refore, <strong>the</strong> prisoner of <strong>the</strong> Lord, beseech you <strong>to</strong> have<br />

a walk worthy of <strong>the</strong> calling with which you were called,<br />

with all lowliness and gentleness, with long-suffering,<br />

bearing with one ano<strong>the</strong>r in love, endeavouring <strong>to</strong> keep <strong>the</strong><br />

unity of <strong>the</strong> Spirit in <strong>the</strong> bond of peace. There is one body<br />

and one Spirit just as you were called in one hope of your<br />

calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism."<br />

As we recite this prayer in <strong>the</strong> early morning, we read <strong>the</strong><br />

Gospel of St. John, chapter 1, which says, "In <strong>the</strong><br />

beginning was <strong>the</strong> Word, and <strong>the</strong> Word was with God, and<br />

<strong>the</strong> Word was God." At this time, <strong>the</strong> sun begins <strong>to</strong> rise and<br />

when it appears, it reminds us of God our True Light who<br />

gives light <strong>to</strong> every man who comes in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> world. This is<br />

what we say in <strong>the</strong> first contemplative Troparia of <strong>the</strong><br />

Morning Prayer. In <strong>the</strong> second Troparia, we ask God <strong>to</strong><br />

enlighten our senses and thoughts by saying :<br />

"When <strong>the</strong> morning hour approaches, O Christ our God,<br />

<strong>the</strong> True Light, let <strong>the</strong> senses and thoughts of <strong>the</strong> light<br />

shine upon us, and let us not be covered by darkness." In<br />

<strong>the</strong> third Troparia, we glorify <strong>the</strong> Virgin Mo<strong>the</strong>r of True<br />

Light coming <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> world, by saying: "You are <strong>the</strong><br />

honourable Mo<strong>the</strong>r of <strong>the</strong> light. Everywhere under <strong>the</strong><br />

sun, people offer you glorification, <strong>the</strong> Mo<strong>the</strong>r of God, <strong>the</strong><br />

second heaven."<br />

After completing <strong>the</strong> Morning Prayer, <strong>the</strong> congregation pray<br />

<strong>the</strong> morning Doxology. This is a wonderful prayer, rich in<br />

meaning. We sing it with joyful hearts and we may liken it <strong>to</strong><br />

59

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