His Holiness begins by responding to those who criticize the Prayer of Thanksgiving in the Agpeya, claiming it focuses only on earthly matters such as protection and help. The Pope clarifies that the theme of salvation is deeply present throughout the Agpeya — in every hour, it speaks of Christ’s redemptive work, His crucifixion, and resurrection.

Salvation in the Agpeya Prayers

He explains that in the Third Hour prayer we say, “You have made salvation in the midst of all the earth, O Christ our God”, and in the Sixth Hour we say, “Who on the sixth day and the sixth hour were nailed to the Cross for the sin of our father Adam.”
The Psalms themselves overflow with references to salvation: “Save me, O God, by Your name” and “The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.” The Agpeya constantly thanks God for redemption and eternal salvation.

Symbols of the Cross and Victory

The Pope notes that Psalms about treading upon serpents and dragons symbolize Christ’s victory over Satan on the Cross. The verse “The Lord reigns, He has clothed Himself with majesty” refers to His kingship established through the Cross, when the devil’s dominion was broken.

The Virgin Mary in the Agpeya

The Pope explains that references to the Virgin Mary in the Agpeya express honor and intercession, not worship.
Her titles—Gate of Heaven, Gate of Salvation, Gate of Life—are symbolic. Christ Himself is the Door, yet He entered the world through her; thus, she is the gate through which salvation came to humanity.

Addressing Others in Prayer

During prayer, one may speak not only to God but also to angels, saints, and even one’s own soul, as in “Bless the Lord, O my soul.”
Addressing saints or the Virgin is a plea for intercession, not an act of worship, just as God told Job’s friends to let Job pray for them.

Faith and Theology in the Agpeya

The Pope stresses that the Coptic Church does not separate spirituality from theology. Every prayer in the Agpeya teaches core Christian doctrines:

• Faith in the Holy Trinity.

• The incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection of the Son.

• The work of the Holy Spirit in the Third Hour.

• Christ’s eternal priesthood after the order of Melchizedek.

• The veneration of the Theotokos.

The Agpeya thus becomes a living catechism that teaches and preserves Orthodox faith through daily prayer.

The Core Message

The Agpeya is not mere repetition; it is a treasury of faith and salvation, uniting believers in one voice that glorifies the Redeemer and confesses the Orthodox truth.

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