In this lecture His Holiness Pope Shenouda III responds to two common criticisms: that the Agpeya implies servitude instead of sonship, and that it fosters a fear that becomes terror. His Holiness explains the difference between blameworthy fear and godly reverence, and presents biblical texts that support a spiritual balance between love and awe.

The main idea
The Agpeya teaches a prayer that combines love and reverence; it is not a cause of panic, but it cultivates a holy fear that leads to repentance and fidelity. The lecture affirms that sonship and servitude are balanced truths in Scripture, and that texts must be understood precisely and applied with wisdom, not rigid literalism.

Key points from the explanation

• Distinguishing fear: between worldly fear (fear of people) and holy fear (the awe of God).

• Citing verses: examples from Luke, Paul’s epistles, the Psalms, and Revelation to clarify meanings of reverence and love.

• Warning against partial interpretation: one must not take a single verse and apply it to every believer as an absolute standard.

• Sonship and servitude together: Scripture mentions sonship since the Old Testament, while servitude also appears in the New Testament as faithful service requiring humility.

The Coptic Orthodox spiritual and doctrinal dimension
The Agpeya teaches the believer the balance between loving God (a source of security and longing for communion with Him) and fearing Him (a source of wisdom and obedience). The Church calls the believer to love in practical obedience to the commandments, while also keeping reverence and fear that protect from pride and falling.

Practical conclusion
The Agpeya is not a rite that plants terror, but a school of prayer that plants love, reverence, and reliance on God’s care. The believer is called to use Scripture wisely: drawing from it the hope of sonship and the duty of the servant, neither boasting nor succumbing to despair.

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