Maria Iskander's Blog - Posts Tagged "coptic"
14.5.23
In the Coptic Orthodox Church Tasbeha is one of my favourite services. It gives you a glimpse of what eternity will be like- praising God always.
Tasbeha is an allegorical expression of humanity travelling from darkness to light.
Since the 4th century church, the church praised God in the early hours . Hence why Tasbeha starts with the hymn: “Arise children of light,”.
Furthering this notion, the progression of Tasbeha can be compartmentalized into the following : Praise God for victory ( 1st Hoas) ; thank God ( 2nd Hoas) ; prayer of Daniel answered (3rd Hoas) ; all creation praises God (4th Hoas) .
Following Tasbeha, the morning service of Matins occurs. In Matins, three takeaways can be noted:
1. Thanksgiving. To ask God to enter the sanctuary for praise.
2. Litany of the oblations. Where things for us change. God taking what is ours and giving us what is His. For instance, we give God our bread, wine , praise and hearts. And God gives us His body and blood. He gives us the eternal instead of the temporal. Heavenly instead of the earthly. We give darkness. God gives us light. This is so precious.
3. Live your Liturgy. Not just in church, but in everything we do. In everywhere we go.
All in all, Tasbeha and Matins are a reminder on us improving, but still having a long way to go.
Tasbeha is an allegorical expression of humanity travelling from darkness to light.
Since the 4th century church, the church praised God in the early hours . Hence why Tasbeha starts with the hymn: “Arise children of light,”.
Furthering this notion, the progression of Tasbeha can be compartmentalized into the following : Praise God for victory ( 1st Hoas) ; thank God ( 2nd Hoas) ; prayer of Daniel answered (3rd Hoas) ; all creation praises God (4th Hoas) .
Following Tasbeha, the morning service of Matins occurs. In Matins, three takeaways can be noted:
1. Thanksgiving. To ask God to enter the sanctuary for praise.
2. Litany of the oblations. Where things for us change. God taking what is ours and giving us what is His. For instance, we give God our bread, wine , praise and hearts. And God gives us His body and blood. He gives us the eternal instead of the temporal. Heavenly instead of the earthly. We give darkness. God gives us light. This is so precious.
3. Live your Liturgy. Not just in church, but in everything we do. In everywhere we go.
All in all, Tasbeha and Matins are a reminder on us improving, but still having a long way to go.
21.9.23
Dear God,
You made Abraham go through a test, but You intervened when he was in the midst of it.
You allowed Joseph to be sold by his own brothers, yet You never left him. You even You turned the storms of his life, into a field of pasture- satisfying all in a famine.
You permitted Daniel to be placed in the lion’s den. Despite the odds, Daniel was left unharmed. This story showed how I too, can stop worrying how things work out.
You allowed Shadrach, Mesach and Abednego to be thrown into a fiery furnace. Instead, You joined them in it. Proving to me that in my fiery furnace, You will not deliver me out of it. Rather, You will join me in it.
Oh my God, help me to never forget these historical figures and stories. Help me to remember that I am where You want me to be. Even when it hurts, help me to trust in You. Then, I will take courage, for I will know that You are for me. Always. Amen 🙏
You made Abraham go through a test, but You intervened when he was in the midst of it.
You allowed Joseph to be sold by his own brothers, yet You never left him. You even You turned the storms of his life, into a field of pasture- satisfying all in a famine.
You permitted Daniel to be placed in the lion’s den. Despite the odds, Daniel was left unharmed. This story showed how I too, can stop worrying how things work out.
You allowed Shadrach, Mesach and Abednego to be thrown into a fiery furnace. Instead, You joined them in it. Proving to me that in my fiery furnace, You will not deliver me out of it. Rather, You will join me in it.
Oh my God, help me to never forget these historical figures and stories. Help me to remember that I am where You want me to be. Even when it hurts, help me to trust in You. Then, I will take courage, for I will know that You are for me. Always. Amen 🙏
