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

All altar servants, whether priests or deacons wear the white
vestments to resemble the angels in the way they look and
praise, and thus they convert the earth to heaven and the
Church to the heavenly Jerusalem , "Strength and beauty
are in His sanctuary." Psalm 96 in the Third Hour prayer
says, "Whenever we stand in Your holy temple, we are
considered as those who abide in heaven”. In the church,
prayers are said, the Holy Spirit dwells on the Sacraments,
and the church is filled with heavenly bright angels as truly
this is the house of God and should be adorned in Holiness
forever.
V Dear brother, if you are a deacon, do not bury this gift
and leave this holy ministry. Prepare yourself with the
appropriate clothing, bring it with you when you come to
church for service, come forward reverently to the priest,
so he can bless the vestments. Then wear the purified
vestment and read the two Psalms contemplating on their
meaning. It is important to note that a deacon is not
permitted to wear his vestment without a blessing from
the priest, as the blessing of the vestments by the
celebrant priest has two meanings :
• Blessing the vestments and sanctifying them by prayers
with the sign of the cross, thus the priest blesses the
servant;
• The priest is giving his permission for the deacon to serve
and have Holy Communion.
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