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aguirguis

posted on Nov 26, 2005 - 07:02 PM

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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Misteka

posted on Nov 26, 2005 - 07:48 PM

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.

Joined: Oct 05, 2005 | Posts: 194
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ABasanti

posted on Nov 27, 2005 - 12:59 AM

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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Tadross_Gabrial

posted on Nov 27, 2005 - 02:06 AM

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

Joined: Jul 07, 2005 | Posts: 22
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michaelg

posted on Nov 28, 2005 - 12:37 AM

I don't understand that last point. Sheild the body of christ from those who are not taking communion?

God bless
guirguis

Joined: May 17, 2003 | Posts: 94
Location: Atlanta, GA

petergergis

posted on Nov 28, 2005 - 09:44 PM

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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