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aguirguis
Posts: 192
Joined: Apr 27, 2003
Location: Boston, MA USA
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 Posted:
Nov 26, 2005 - 09:02 PM |
 
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During the response to the Confession, why does the Deacon hold up a lafafa? I can understand the cross and the candle, but i don't understand the lafafa. Can anybody possibly enlighten me on the subject? |
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Andrew
"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. " MT 5:14-16 |
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Misteka
Posts: 194
Joined: Oct 05, 2005
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
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| Posted:
Nov 26, 2005 - 09:48 PM |
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The altar servants are like the Seraphim who cover themselves with their wings as they cannot behold the glory of God. the lefafa is a symbol of that. |
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ABasanti
Posts: 191
Joined: Feb 23, 2004
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Nov 27, 2005 - 02:59 AM |
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i can add to this....  also keepo rmeinded since the cross is held with your right hand and the candle with ur left how would u take the body and cover ur mouth.... so it also lets u hold it....  |
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+ Andrew Basanti +
HCOC Member & Sales Representative
+ To Protect and Preserve +
For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7) |
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Tadross_Gabrial
Posts: 22
Joined: Jul 07, 2005
Location: Sydney
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| Posted:
Nov 27, 2005 - 04:06 AM |
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Also, the lafafa is used to shield the body of Christ from those who are not taking the communion. (Or at least that is what i was told).
Your brother in Christ , Tadross Gabrial |
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michaelg
Posts: 94
Joined: May 17, 2003
Location: Atlanta, GA
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Nov 28, 2005 - 02:37 AM |
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I don't understand that last point. Sheild the body of christ from those who are not taking communion?
God bless
guirguis |
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petergergis
Posts: 20
Joined: Aug 05, 2004
Location: Walnut, Riverside, COCC
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| Posted:
Nov 28, 2005 - 11:44 PM |
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I think that the lafa is a multipurpose item. I agree with all the points above. I just want to add to them. The lafafa is a shield of the divine nature of the body. So in a sense the lafafa is to prevent any enemy of the body from seeing or coming into contact with it. This is why the deacon holding the lafafa after the confession is always surrounding the body with Abouna. Ex. when the priest and deacon circle the altar with deacon walking backwards infront of the priest. or while the priest is giving communion, the deacon stands to hi right or his left. |
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