Feast of the Cross in the Ancient FaithSample

Day 4: The Cross in Coptic Orthodox Liturgy and Prayer

On this fourth day, we explore the presence of the Cross in Coptic Orthodox liturgical life. The veneration of the Cross permeates every aspect of Orthodox worship, from our church architecture to our prayers and hymns.

St. Paul in his Letter to the Hebrews teaches us that Christ "for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2). This redemptive sacrifice is commemorated continually in our liturgical life.

In the Divine Liturgy, the priest, who is the icon of Christ, makes the sign of the Cross over the bread and wine numerous times, signifying that our salvation comes through the Cross. The consecrated gifts become the Body and Blood of the crucified and risen Lord by the invocation of the Holy Spirit by the priest, while he simultaneously makes the sign of the Cross. This is one of the many ways that we see the Cross of the Lord is enclosed in all the Mysteries of the Church.

The Coptic Orthodox Church's Feast of the Cross features unique hymns and rites. During the service, deacons and laity chant the distinctive Cross hymns: "Fai etaf enf" (He who offered Himself on the Cross) and the Doxology of the Cross, where we chant, “We carry you, O Cross: the strength of Christians: powerfully around our necks: and we cry out openly. Hail to you, O Cross: the joy of the Christians: the conqueror of tyranny: and our steadfastness, we the faithful.”

During the Prayer of Reconciliation, the priest holds a veil, while saying “the middle wall of division You have broken down; And the old enmity you have abolished. You reconciled the earthly with the heavenly and made the two into one, and You completed the dispensation in the flesh.” (Liturgy of St. Gregory). It is, therefore, by the Cross, that the partition wall has been broken down, the enmity dissolved, and the heavenly and earthly beings have been united and that this bringing the cosmos into order, this justice within the cosmos, is reflected in our liturgical practice.

In both personal and liturgical prayer, Coptic Orthodox faithful recite the hymn of the Trisagion, making the sign of the Cross and saying: "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, who was crucified for us, have mercy on us." This invocation reminds us that the Holy Trinity's mercy flows to us through the Cross.

Most Orthodox Church buildings themselves are designed in the shape of a cross, with the sanctuary (altar area) typically at the eastern arm. This architectural symbolism reminds us that we worship within the embrace of Christ's outstretched arms on the Cross. The central dome often features an icon of Christ Pantocrator (Almighty), gazing down upon the congregation from above, while the four pillars supporting the dome represent the four Evangelists who proclaimed the message of the Cross to the world.

One of the most beautiful aspects of the Cross in Coptic Orthodox Christian Divine Liturgy is the way it unites heaven and earth. When we make the sign of the Cross, touching our forehead, chest, and shoulders, we physically embody the connection between heaven (the mind), earth (the heart), and our active life in the world (our shoulders and hands). This simple movement becomes a powerful reminder that through the Cross, Christ has reconciled all things in Him.

Prayer: O Christ our God, through Your life-giving Cross You have opened to us the gates of Paradise. Accept our worship and veneration of Your precious Cross. Make us worthy to partake of Your divine Mysteries with pure hearts, that we may glorify You with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.