Coptic Terminology 101
General Use Terms
ABBA: Coptic word meaning 'Father', or within a monastic community it is given to the spiritual father/elder. It is also a title given to the Pope and to bishops, and also to some of our fathers the saints.
ALPHA AND OMEGA: The first and last letters of Greek alphabet, used in the church in a way to symbolize the eternity of Jesus Christ. He is the Alpha and the Omega, that is the Beginning and the End (Rev. 21:6).
AMEN: We conclude our prayers by this word, meaning, "Let it be so."
ANGEL (Greek: messenger): A spiritual being who serves God.
ARCHANGEL: There are seven Archangels, namely: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Suriel, Sadakiel, Sarathiel and Ananiel. They are the great, pure, and luminescent beings that intercede on behalf of humanity.
AXIOS (WORTHY): We say "Axios" repeatedly after the Sacrament of Baptism, during the ordination of bishops, priests or deacons and on praising the saints. We become worthy of heavenly blessings in the merit of the Blood of our Lord Jesus, through the work of the Holy Spirit.
BOWING: An expression of reverence to God in the Doxology (gloria), before the sanctuary, besides in public and private worship. The bodily posture appropriate for prayer, signifying humility and reverence. In keeling down before God we debase ourselves asking His mercy and the forgiveness of our sins. Abraham bowed to the Hittites (Gen 23:7) as a sign of his gratitude to them. Jacob too bowed to Esau (Gen. 33:3) to absorb his brother's anger and intentions to take revenge.
CANON: A Greek word meaning a straight rod or bar. In Christian language it was adopted to denote the following:
- Canon of Scripture - the list of genuine and inspired books of the Bible.
- The church canons, such as liturgical rules, especially that part of the Liturgy of Eucharist which includes the consecration, and rules concerning the life and discipline of the Church. The Holy Bible gives us a way for salvation, whereas it gives the Church the right to put canons to discipline worship and behavior in a biblical spirit. Church canons are issued either by ecumenical or local councils. Every church canon has to be issued in biblical spirit and church concept.
CANONICAL: According to the canon laws of the church; authoritative and official.
CATECHUMEN: The catechumens are those who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and are getting ready to Baptism. In the early church, a new Jewish or pagan convert used to undergo a course of basic instruction and training in Christian doctrine and ritual. Catechumens were classified according to their spiritual progress and achievement in assimilating Christian doctrine.
- Those who were allowed to hear the word of God were called listeners or hearers.
- Those of longer standing, who were allowed to stay and attend the sermon given by the bishop or priest and certain prayers during which they knelt, were designated as prostrate. 3. Those who had passed the two previous stages and were considered to be sufficiently trained in faith to receive the sacrament of baptism were called Catechumens. Catechumens studied various theological works. Catechumens were kept under the close supervision and guidance of their catechists, and those of them who lapsed were subjected to strict disciplinary punishment.
CATHOLIC: An eastern expression means "universal." The church is described in the creeds as catholic, because it is universal, holding earnestly the one faith for all times, in all countries, for all people, and is sent to preach the gospel to the whole world. It was first met with in Christian literature in St. Ignatius of Antioch (Ep. ad Smyr. 8. 2.). In Christian terminology it has come to have various uses: 1. Identifying the universal Church as distinct from local Christian churches. 2. In the sense of "orthodox," as distinct from "heretical," or from "schismatical."
CATHOLICOS: A term of Greek origin signifying "general," or "universal," and used as a title given to high-ranking secular officials, and later on as an honorary title for certain ecclesiastical dignitaries ranking below a patriarch but above a metropolitan. On 25 June 1959, a protocol was issued in Cairo organizing the relationship between the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Ethiopian church. Article 1 stipulates that the supreme spiritual head of the latter church is the pope of Alexandria and the patriarch of the See of Saint Mark, while article 4 provides for the elevation of the spiritual head of the Ethiopian church to the rank of Catholicos patriarch.
CELEBRANT: The clergyman who celebrates the Eucharist, either a bishop or a priest.
CELIBACY: Unmarried state, particularly of clergy who are so bound by a solemn vow.
CELL : A monk's private room in a monastery.
CENOBIUM: A monastery where monks or nuns live the common life.
CHRISTIAN: One who believes in Jesus Christ and who follows His teachings. A term first used at Antioch where the followers of Christ were so called.
CHRISTIAN NAME: The name given and received in baptism.
CHURCH: It is the people's congregation, together with the clergy, as being Christ's Body. It is a one, holy, apostolic and universal (Catholic) community. It is God's house consecrated to worship. It is the house of angels who join us in praising God.
CHURCH TRIUMPHANT: The souls in Paradise who have perfect consummation and bliss in God's presence.
COMMUNICANT: A baptized member of the church in good standing who is eligible and partakes of the Holy Communion regularly.
COPTIC: This word means "Egyptian." Nowadays Egyptian Christians are so called. St. Mark the Apostle preached Egypt.
COUNCIL: A convention or assembly of the priests, together with the bishop to administer the church pastoral duties and spiritual life of its members.
COUNCILS (ECUMENICAL): Bishops all over the world meet together to deal with faith and pastoral problems. Councils that are admitted by our church are:
- Council of Nicea: (325 A.D.) that dealt with Arius who denied Christ's divinity.
- Council of Constantinople: (381 A.D.) because of Machdonius who denied the divinity of the Holy Spirit.
- Council of Ephesus: (431 A.D.) because of Nestorius who separated between Christ's divinity and humanity. Copts had an effective role in these councils.
COUNCILS (LOCAL): The local councils are probably representing the local church in Egypt where the Pope is used to meet with the bishops of Egypt, (Libya and Ethiopia) regularly, to discuss pastoral and doctrinal affairs.
CREED: (I believe) A concise, formal, and authorized statement of important points of Christian faith, such as the historic Apostles, Nicene, and Athenasian Creeds. Originally, candidates for baptism accepted a short formula of belief, which varied in detail in different local churches. In the ceremony of baptism of children the godparents recite the baptismal creed on behalf of them. Almost in all liturgies and canonical hours, believers recite the creed in a loud voice.
CROSS: An instrument of shameful execution, which became after Christ's crucifixion the universal symbol of the Christian faith. We praise the Cross, for through it we attain our salvation, victory over the devil and participation in the glory of Christ. The priest uses the Cross during service, and in blessing the people. Christ is the source of blessing through the Cross.
CROSSBEARER: A title given to hermits who struggled relentlessly in the life of monasticism. They are considered crossbearers because the strife they endured can be compared to the suffering involved in bearing the cross. This title has also been given to some of the Confessors and martyrs.
CYMBALS: Two circular metallic instruments that give a rhythm to harmonize church hymns.
DIOCESE: The area of limits of jurisdiction of a diocesan bishop. It is usually divided into parishes.
DISCIPLINE: The word is used in many senses: The totality of church laws and traditions regulating the believers' spiritual life, and church order. In this meaning it comprises all Church activities, such as the administration of sacraments, offices, feasts, devotions, etc. A system of mortification, especially through the monastic life. A kind of penalty the penitent accepts from his spiritual father to help him in his spiritual life, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
DOGMA: An article of faith; a truth set forth with and by church authority, based on the Holy Bible.
DOXOLOGY: An ascription of glory to the Holy Trinity. In the Liturgy of St. Basil the celebrant recites the "Gloria in Excelsis," "the Angelic Hymn," or what the western church calls the Greater Doxology [ Glory be to God on high...]. Almost all our prayers includes the "Gloria Patri," or the Lesser Doxology [ Glory be to the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit...].
EAST: Originally altars were located at the east end of churches because it is there where the sun rises, symbolizing Christ as the "Sun of righteousness who sends His illuminating rays to light our souls."
ELUGIA (a piece of holy bread): The priest distributes it over the believers when the service of the Eucharist ends.
EPICLESIS: This term is used for the prayer put to ask the Father for sending the Holy Spirit upon the elements to be transferred into the Body and Blood of Christ.
EPISCOPACY: It means "overseer." The system of Church Government by bishops. Where it prevails it is commonly held to be the continuation of the institution of the Apostolate by Christ.
EPSAL/EPSALIA: Songs of praise for our Lord Jesus Christ.
FATHER: God is our Father (Isaiah 63:16). Through baptism we are called children of God (John 3:5).
FATHER (SPIRITUAL): The spiritual father (either the bishop or the priest) cares for his children, and breeds them. St. John the Apostle calls his people: "My little children" 1 John 2:1.
FEAST: The coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to our world made our days turn out to be a continuous feast. The feast reminds us of God's redeeming deeds with us, or His work through the martyrs and saints' lives.
GHALILOUN OIL: It's oil in which is boiled the remainder of Myron oil (Chrism) after clarifying it. It is used in anointing the baptized persons.
GLORIFICATION: A praise of God through the Virgin Mary, heavenly creatures, martyrs and saints.
GRACE: A divine gift; divine mercy, forgiveness, and assistance freely given by God for man's regeneration, sanctification and glorification. It is God's Self-giving to man, to enjoy adoption to the Father, the membership of the Body of Christ, and the dwelling of the Holy Spirit in man's soul.
GUARDIAN ANGEL: Following baptism, the believer is accompanied by an angel to guard him.
HALO (or NIMBUS): A circle of light round the head or round the whole body [only for our Lord].
HEAVEN: The place or state where God dwells. The place or state in which those who love God worship Him perfectly in the full light of His presence.
HEAVENLY HOSTS: They are divided into nine choruses:
- Angels
- Archangels
- Principalities
- Authorities (Virtues)
- Thrones
- Lordships (Dominions)
- Powers
- Seraphim
- Cherubim
HERESY: A belief contrary to the faith or dogma of the church; denial or perversion of the faith.
MONASTERY, NUNNERY/CONVENT: Monks or nuns live in a monastery or nunnery where there is a church. Each monastery has an Archmandrite (Abbot) who cares for the monks. In ancient monasteries, we find fortresses where monks used to stay when wicked people attacked them.
MONASTICISM: Monasticism is based on loving to be completely devoted to worship. Monasticism systems:
- Solitude (Hermits): a monk lives in a cell or cave.
- Coenobitic discipline where monks live together, participating in some prayers and eat together.
- Communal Order: where groups of monks live together having the same spiritual father. They live in separate cells apart from each other. They meet together weekly, on Saturdays and Sundays.
NICENE CREED: The statement of the Christian faith set forth at the Council of Nicea, A.D. 325, and reaffirmed at the Council of Constantinople in 381 A.D. It is used as an alternative to the Apostles' Creed, in private and communal worship. Its meaning bears the same as that of the Apostles' Creed, but it is an extended form.
ORTHODOX: A faithful upright man that does not deviate. A true believer "an Orthodox" loves his Holy Bible, is devoted to his church and behaves as a Son of God. An Orthodox believer loves everyone in humanity.
PARADISE: The abode or state after death where departed souls of the righteous await final judgment; often used as synonymous with the Garden of Eden and heaven.
SACRIFICE, HOLY: Another name for the Eucharist emphasizing Christ's atonement.
SALVATION: The gracious deliverance of God, especially redemption from sin and its consequences, this salvation that is fulfilled through the death of Jesus Christ. Salvation also means our participation in the Glory of our Lord.
SPASMOS (HOLY KISS): Christianity is based on "love" to God and people, and the kiss is a sign of love. In the Coptic liturgy, believers kiss one another after Reconciliation prayer. However since we have reconciled with God, consequently we do reconcile with each other. Anyone is not allowed to participate in the Eucharist in case he is in controversy with someone else.
SYNOD, HOLY: The supreme ecclesiastical authority of the Coptic Church, under the presidency of the Pope. Ever since the foundation of the church by St. Mark in the first century, there has existed such an authority to protect faith, preserve tradition, and ensure the welfare of the church. All metropolitans, bishops, archimandrites and the patriarchal deputies of Cairo and Alexandria are vested with the honor of membership therein. Their number varies from time to time, at the time being they are sixty in average.
TITHE: The tenth of one's income, which should be devoted to religious purposes.
THEOTOKOS: Where we praise St. Mary the Theotokos (the Lord's mother).
TONYA: A white tunic worn by all monks and priests while celebrating the Holy Mass. It is white because it represents the joyous angels who are serving God in purity and holiness.
TRIANGLE: A triangular musical instrument.