Mass & Worship
Liturgical Life
Mass & Worship
Our worship is centred on the Holy Liturgy, the sacraments and the rich hymnography of the Coptic Orthodox tradition. The Divine Liturgy is celebrated every Sunday and on weekdays through the week.
The Heart of Our Life Together
Everything in our parish flows from, and returns to, the altar. The Divine Liturgy is not one activity among many — it is the source of the whole Christian life. Here heaven and earth meet: we hear the Scriptures proclaimed, lift our hearts in the ancient Anaphora of St. Basil, and receive the very Body and Blood of our Lord.
The word liturgy means “the work of the people.” Worship is never a performance we watch; it is an offering we make together — deacons and congregation, young and old, in English, Coptic and Arabic. The rite we pray today has been handed down, almost unchanged, for more than sixteen centuries.
“Lift up your hearts. — We have them with the Lord.”
How the Liturgy Unfolds
Each Liturgy moves through the Offering of the Lamb, the Liturgy of the Word with its readings and Gospel, and the Liturgy of the Faithful, culminating in Holy Communion. The rising incense, the sung responses and the icons all draw us into a single act of thanksgiving — which is what Eucharist means.
Liturgies are prayed every Sunday morning and throughout the week — see the weekly schedule for times. Newcomers are always welcome; simply arrive, take a service book, and let the prayer carry you. If you would like to prepare for Communion or confession, speak to one of the fathers after any service.