rituals

His Holiness Pope Shenouda explains that the rites in the church are systems and traditions followed in the sacraments and worship such as baptism, marriage, and the ordination of elders. He affirms that what matters is not the external form of the rite as much as the spirituality of the rite and its spiritual meaning.

Symbols of the rite and their meanings

His Holiness details many symbols: the direction of the baptized entering toward the west and returning to the east as a symbol of denying the devil and professing faith, and the place of baptism in churches and the meanings of east and west and cold and warmth as symbols of righteousness and evil. The candles during the reading of the Gospel symbolize the light that enlightens the mind, and the oil in the candles symbolizes the Holy Spirit; the lights around the altar symbolize the angels of God, and placing a candle before the icons of the saints is a declaration of faith that they were lights to the world.

Vestments and other symbols

White garments are a symbol of righteousness and the new life in baptism, and the red ribbon symbolizes the blood of Christ. The crowns symbolize the glory of sonship and dignity, and the pectoral (stole) that the priest wears symbolizes his carrying the people on his chest. The discussion of crowns, adornment, and prayers shows that every piece of clothing and movement in the rite has a spiritual meaning to remind the believer.

Church structure and its contemplations

The columns, domes, and the minaret/tower in the church all carry symbols: the columns symbolize the apostles of the church or the Gospels, the tower/minaret points the gaze upward toward heaven and guides those in need, and the Pantocrator (where the Lord is depicted on the throne) reminds the believer of the Lord seated and the four living creatures around Him and their symbolism.

Educational message and conclusion

His Holiness urges that the people be made aware of the meanings of the rites — not only that the priest knows them but that they be taught in Sunday schools and to youth and through visual materials such as video tapes — because understanding the symbols gives deeper spiritual life and truer contemplations within the church.

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