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

V Repent to God with all your heart, so that you benefit
from the prayers said by the priest as he is offering
incense and blessing the congregation. This is called ‘The
Mystery of the Confession of the Congregation.’
V This is repeated in the two processions of incense; during
that of the Pauline Epistle and the PRAXIS (Acts of the
Apostles). Incense is not raised during the Catholic
Epistle reading.
V During the incense processions, the congregation chant
some hymns, such as the hymn of Intercession. This is a
chance for you, my beloved, to chant with the
congregation, thus you will not be a passive audience,
but an active participator. Just because you are not a
deacon it does not mean you are not a servant. You
should realise this fact when you hear the priest saying in
the beginning of the Absolution of Ministers : "Your
servants - those who serve you on this day- the
hegumens, priests, the deacons, the clergy, the whole
congregation, and my weakness..."
You are a servant who partakes in the Mass, and so therefore
you must perform your role during the service of the Mass
honestly.
It is for your own good to respond with the prayers, for you
will feel spiritually revived and feel the comfort of the Lord.
In this way, no feelings of boredom or wandering thoughts
will be experienced.
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