By Anba Sawiris – 10th Century
From the book “The Precious Jewel in Explaining the Faith”
When our Lord Jesus, to whom be glory, came and offered Himself for Adam and his descendants—who had died compelled by sin and descended to Hades—He brought up their souls and returned them to Paradise, because they had been compelled by sin, that is, Adam’s sin, and were forbidden from entering Paradise.
He then instituted baptism for the living among the children of Adam, to free them from the unclean spirit that Satan assigns to them to force them into sin. Through baptism, He restores to them the Holy Spirit, which God had once breathed into Adam. This empowers them to overcome the hosts of Satan and strengthens them to do God’s will, as long as the Spirit remains within them.
The Spirit of God continues to dwell in the faithful if they persist in praising and sanctifying Him at the appointed times. But if they grow lazy in their praise, the grace of the Holy Spirit departs from them, and unclean works gain power over them, forcing them into sin involuntarily—since no one can overcome the demons except by the power of the Holy Spirit, the mighty Comforter.
How does the Spirit of God remain in us?
We know that spirits do not eat bread or drink water, nor do they delight in any pleasures of the world. Their food, drink, delight, and joy is the praise and sanctification of God and listening to His divine words. As it is written in the Torah and in the Holy Gospel:
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Deut. 8:3; Matt. 4:4).
So just as the body lives by bread like the animals, the soul lives by the Word of God like the angels. And just as a man would physically die if deprived of food and drink, so too would his soul die if he ceases to praise, sanctify, and hear God’s word—because the demons would overpower him, causing him to sin necessarily, and the Spirit of God would depart from him.
If you seek proof of this, consider Satan and his angels—who were once pure spirits among the foremost of the angels. When they ceased to praise and sanctify God, sin gained power over them, the grace of the Holy Spirit left them, and they fell into eternal darkness.
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1. The Morning and Evening Praises (“Tasbeha”)
These two prayers are essential for believers every day and night. They should be prayed in church with reverence and supplication. If there is no nearby church, the believer should pray at home, with a heart grieved—because praying in church is like praying in the Paradise of God. Whoever neglects one of these prayers without a valid excuse should deeply regret it and repent, for he has ceased praising God, just as Satan and his hosts ceased to praise Him and thus fell.
2. The Divine Liturgy (“Sanctification”)
Believers must attend every Liturgy, whether or not they are able to partake of the Holy Sacraments. Attending the Liturgy is an act of sanctifying God. Even if one does not partake, he will still hear the readings, which are the life-giving Word of God, and will join the angels in proclaiming: “Holy, Holy, Holy…”
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit Upon the Congregation
The priest says:
“We ask You, O Lord, we Your unworthy sinful servants, to send upon us the grace of Your Holy Spirit upon these gifts, to sanctify them and make them the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, Your Son.”
This great grace—the descent of the Holy Spirit—first comes upon all the believers present in the church before it comes upon the holy offerings, so that all are sanctified and purified, whether or not they partake.
4. The Lord’s Prayer During the Liturgy
This prayer is of immense value when the priest says:
“That with a pure heart and undefiled lips, we may dare to call upon You without fear and cry out: Our Father…”
This prayer, taught by the only Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, becomes especially powerful at that moment.
5. The Blessings of Attending the Liturgy
When the priest lifts up the Body on high, just as the Lord of glory was lifted up on the Cross, all the people cry out as did the right-hand thief: “Remember us, O Lord, when You come into Your kingdom.” All who attend with faith and reverence—whether fasting or not, whether partaking or not—receive forgiveness of all their sins.
6. The Grave Sin of Leaving Church Before Communion Ends
No one should leave the church before Christ ascends from the altar. Whoever departs earlier is likened to Judas Iscariot, who was overtaken by Satan. Leaving should only occur after the entire Body has been consumed and the oblations lifted from the chalice, no matter how pressing the reason.
7. The Necessity of Hearing the Readings
Whoever partakes of Communion without hearing the readings brings upon himself a grave penalty. The readings sanctify both soul and body before Communion. Without them, a person approaches unprepared, and instead of being sanctified by Christ, he is defiled. Thus, one is judged if he comes directly from worldly concerns into Communion without preparation.
8. The Sanctification of Sunday
God made the week seven days: six for the needs of the body and one for the work of the spirit. On that one day, Sunday (which begins Saturday evening), we must dedicate ourselves fully to spiritual pursuits—from morning to evening.
The Lord only asked that Sunday be set apart so that we might read the Holy Scriptures. For the Lord of glory said:
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit… You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you” (John 15:1–3).
God confirms that by His Word, man is cleansed of sin and bears the fruit of eternal life.
9. The Hourly Prayers (“Agpeya”)
In addition to Morning and Evening Prayers, these prayers—at the 3rd, 6th, 9th, 11th hours and Midnight—are very important. Both clergy and laity pray them. The laity should pray as many as they can according to their occupations. But those who are not occupied with work should pray all of them so that the enemy may not overpower them, for these prayers drive him away each hour.
