1. Praying the Agpeya 1Cor 5:6 “Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough?” Unity Meeting - Senior 7 th October 2012

2. Origins of the Agpeya The Agpeya or the seven canonical prayers started as early as the Apostolic age during the earliest days of Christianity. The believers received this spiritual practice from the head of the Alexandrine Church: St. Mark the Apostle, who was also the first Patriarch of Egypt. This was done according to what St. Luke, the apostle, wrote in the Book of Acts: "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meals with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." (Acts 2:46-47)The Agpeya or the seven canonical prayers started as early as the Apostolic age during the earliest days of Christianity. The believers received this spiritual practice from the head of the Alexandrine Church: St. Mark the Apostle, who was also the first Patriarch of Egypt. This was done according to what St. Luke, the apostle, wrote in the Book of Acts: "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meals with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." (Acts 2:46-47) 2 Origins of the Agpeya Format When do we pray using it? Why do we pray using it? How to Pray the Agpeya?

3. Origins of the Agpeya Nevertheless, there was at the beginning, some disagreement on the limits of adoration and the number of Psalms that should be recited.Nevertheless, there was at the beginning, some disagreement on the limits of adoration and the number of Psalms that should be recited. Then one day, while the faithful assembled to pray the Psalms, an angel appeared in their midst, and started praising the Lord and hymning Psalms. The angel recited eleven Psalms with a very nice tune, then added certain individual prayers. Finally, the angel ended his worship by reciting an additional Psalm. Therefore, the total number of Psalms was determined to be twelve.Then one day, while the faithful assembled to pray the Psalms, an angel appeared in their midst, and started praising the Lord and hymning Psalms. The angel recited eleven Psalms with a very nice tune, then added certain individual prayers. Finally, the angel ended his worship by reciting an additional Psalm. Therefore, the total number of Psalms was determined to be twelve. 3 Origins of the Agpeya Format When do we pray using it? Why do we pray using it? How to Pray the Agpeya?

4. Origins of the Agpeya The angel disappeared after he put an end to the dispute, and the holy fathers concluded that the matter was settled with divine proclamation. Consequently, the Agpeya became an ecumenical law to be observed by all the believers.The angel disappeared after he put an end to the dispute, and the holy fathers concluded that the matter was settled with divine proclamation. Consequently, the Agpeya became an ecumenical law to be observed by all the believers. It was mentioned by John Cassian that the system of prayers in the Church of Alexandria was devised before the beginning of monasticism. He said, "These arrangements of prayers were observed by all the servants of God in Egypt."It was mentioned by John Cassian that the system of prayers in the Church of Alexandria was devised before the beginning of monasticism. He said, "These arrangements of prayers were observed by all the servants of God in Egypt." 4 Origins of the Agpeya Format When do we pray using it? Why do we pray using it? How to Pray the Agpeya?

5. Origins of the Agpeya When the clergy charged Saint Basil in Caesarea Philippi because of the Night-Watch system he proposed, he replied that this system was being observed in Egypt. Thus, it is not true, what some of scholars claim, that praying the Agpeya in Egypt was only a monastic practice.When the clergy charged Saint Basil in Caesarea Philippi because of the Night-Watch system he proposed, he replied that this system was being observed in Egypt. Thus, it is not true, what some of scholars claim, that praying the Agpeya in Egypt was only a monastic practice. 5 Origins of the Agpeya Format When do we pray using it? Why do we pray using it? How to Pray the Agpeya?

6. The format of the Agpeya The Agpeya is primarily used by the Coptic Orthodox Church. It contains prayers for seven different hours to be said throughout the day. The hours are chronologically laid out, each containing a theme corresponding to events in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. Each hour is composed of an introduction which includes the Lord’s Prayer, the Prayer of Thanksgiving, and Psalm 50. 6 Origins of the Agpeya Format When do we pray using it? Why do we pray using it? How to Pray the Agpeya?

7. The format of the Agpeya It is followed by various Psalms, an excerpt from the Holy Gospel, and Litanies. Lord Have Mercy is then chanted 41 times (representing the 39 lashes Christ received before the crucifixion, plus one for the spear in His side, plus one for the crown of thorns), followed by several other prayers and a conclusion. 7 Origins of the Agpeya Format When do we pray using it? Why do we pray using it? How to Pray the Agpeya?

8. When do we pray the Agpeya The Agpeya is read throughout the day and in many situations. The hours of the day start from sunrise and end at sunset. The morning prayer (Prime), which corresponds to 6 a.m., is said upon waking up in the morning or after the Midnight praise the previous night. Prime The Terce (9 a.m.) and Sext (noon) hours are prayed before each liturgy during the Offering of Incense. TerceSext 8 Origins of the Agpeya Format When do we pray using it? Why do we pray using it? How to Pray the Agpeya?

9. When do we pray the Agpeya The None (3 p.m.) hour is also read during fasting days. Vespers (sunset) and Compline (9 p.m.) are read in the early evening and before bedtime, respectively. and are both read before the Liturgy during the Lent and the fast of Nineveh. NoneVespersCompline The Midnight hour is read just before the Midnight Praise. The Veil hour is reserved for priests, monks and bishops.MidnightVeil 9 Origins of the Agpeya Format When do we pray using it? Why do we pray using it? How to Pray the Agpeya?

10. Why do we pray using the Agpeya? The Agpeya is a school of different types of prayerThe Agpeya is a school of different types of prayer What different forms of Prayer can we think of?What different forms of Prayer can we think of? 1. Prayer of Thanksgiving: 2. Prayer of Penitence 3. Prayer of Praise and Adoration 4. Prayer of Petition 5. Prayer of Intercession How many different forms of this can we find in the Agpeya?How many different forms of this can we find in the Agpeya? 10 Origins of the Agpeya Format When do we pray using it? Why do we pray using it? How to Pray the Agpeya?

11. Why do we pray using the Agpeya? 11 For example, when you recite the prayer: “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabbath, Heaven and Earth are full of you honour and glory” … you are not asking/interceding for anything. Neither is this a prayer for thanksgiving or repentance, but you are here glorifying God. Besides, you are meditating upon His holiness and greatness. [H.H. Pope Shenouda III]For example, when you recite the prayer: “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabbath, Heaven and Earth are full of you honour and glory” … you are not asking/interceding for anything. Neither is this a prayer for thanksgiving or repentance, but you are here glorifying God. Besides, you are meditating upon His holiness and greatness. [H.H. Pope Shenouda III] Origins of the Agpeya Format When do we pray using it? Why do we pray using it? How to Pray the Agpeya?

12. Why do we pray using the Agpeya? 12 When you say, at the end of your prayers of every hour: “Christ our good Lord, the long suffering, exceedingly merciful, and extremely compassionate, who loves the righteous and is merciful to the sinners…’, you are, in this instance, meditating upon God’s beautiful characteristics. [H.H. Pope Shenouda III]When you say, at the end of your prayers of every hour: “Christ our good Lord, the long suffering, exceedingly merciful, and extremely compassionate, who loves the righteous and is merciful to the sinners…’, you are, in this instance, meditating upon God’s beautiful characteristics. [H.H. Pope Shenouda III] Origins of the Agpeya Format When do we pray using it? Why do we pray using it? How to Pray the Agpeya?

13. Why do we pray using the Agpeya? 13 When you say, at the end of your prayers of every hour: “Christ our good Lord, the long suffering, exceedingly merciful, and extremely compassionate, who loves the righteous and is merciful to the sinners…’, you are, in this instance, meditating upon God’s beautiful characteristics. [H.H. Pope Shenouda III]When you say, at the end of your prayers of every hour: “Christ our good Lord, the long suffering, exceedingly merciful, and extremely compassionate, who loves the righteous and is merciful to the sinners…’, you are, in this instance, meditating upon God’s beautiful characteristics. [H.H. Pope Shenouda III] Origins of the Agpeya Format When do we pray using it? Why do we pray using it? How to Pray the Agpeya?

14. Why do we pray using the Agpeya? 14 It contains beautifully important details: Who of us remembers to pray, on his own, for the remission of sins: “those committed intentionally and unintentionally, in knowledge and in ignorance, in secret or openly?” All these, however, are included when we sue the Agpeya to assist us in our prayers. [H.H. Pope Shenouda III]Who of us remembers to pray, on his own, for the remission of sins: “those committed intentionally and unintentionally, in knowledge and in ignorance, in secret or openly?” All these, however, are included when we sue the Agpeya to assist us in our prayers. [H.H. Pope Shenouda III] Origins of the Agpeya Format When do we pray using it? Why do we pray using it? How to Pray the Agpeya?

15. Why do we pray using the Agpeya? 15 Who of us, upon offering thanks in his personal prayers, remembers to offer thanks such as those included in the Agpeya which teaches us to say: “for He has sheltered us, helped us, preserved us, received us, defended us, had compassion upon us and brought us to this hour?!” [H.H. Pope Shenouda III]Who of us, upon offering thanks in his personal prayers, remembers to offer thanks such as those included in the Agpeya which teaches us to say: “for He has sheltered us, helped us, preserved us, received us, defended us, had compassion upon us and brought us to this hour?!” [H.H. Pope Shenouda III] Origins of the Agpeya Format When do we pray using it? Why do we pray using it? How to Pray the Agpeya?

16. Why do we pray using the Agpeya? 16 Who of us remember to mention all the details that the Agpeya helps us to say by including in its contents in the concluding prayer for every hour: “Sanctify our souls, cleanse our bodies, straighten our thoughts, purify our intentions, heal our sicknesses, forgive our sins, deliver us from every destructive grief, distress, and heartache, surround us by Your holy angels, that, guided and guarded within their camp, we may attain the unity of faith…” [H.H. Pope Shenouda III]Who of us remember to mention all the details that the Agpeya helps us to say by including in its contents in the concluding prayer for every hour: “Sanctify our souls, cleanse our bodies, straighten our thoughts, purify our intentions, heal our sicknesses, forgive our sins, deliver us from every destructive grief, distress, and heartache, surround us by Your holy angels, that, guided and guarded within their camp, we may attain the unity of faith…” [H.H. Pope Shenouda III] Origins of the Agpeya Format When do we pray using it? Why do we pray using it? How to Pray the Agpeya?

17. Why do we pray using the Agpeya? 17 Who of us asks, in his personal prayers, that he may be surrounded by holy angels to protect and guide him? … When we are assisted by the Agpeya, we remember all these details besides our intercessions for our basic needs…[H.H. Pope Shenouda III]Who of us asks, in his personal prayers, that he may be surrounded by holy angels to protect and guide him? … When we are assisted by the Agpeya, we remember all these details besides our intercessions for our basic needs…[H.H. Pope Shenouda III] Origins of the Agpeya Format When do we pray using it? Why do we pray using it? How to Pray the Agpeya?

18. 18 Origins of the Agpeya Format When do we pray using it? Why do we pray using it? How to Pray the Agpeya? Why do we pray using the Agpeya? Who ofWho of

19. How to Pray the Agpeya Have your own personal Agpeya. Always keep it within your reach and keep with you everywhere you go and whenever you travel. Why not install it on your phone?.Have your own personal Agpeya. Always keep it within your reach and keep with you everywhere you go and whenever you travel. Why not install it on your phone?. With the advice of your father of confession, select certain parts to use in your prayer according to your spiritual level. As a start, for instance:With the advice of your father of confession, select certain parts to use in your prayer according to your spiritual level. As a start, for instance: You may want to choose a part of Matins and a part of Vespers or Compline. The selected part should include: The introduction, two psalms, the Gospel, the litanies, the absolution, and the conclusion. Then you may gradually grow in your prayer by incorporating a psalm and a litany from each hour and so on…You may want to choose a part of Matins and a part of Vespers or Compline. The selected part should include: The introduction, two psalms, the Gospel, the litanies, the absolution, and the conclusion. Then you may gradually grow in your prayer by incorporating a psalm and a litany from each hour and so on… 19 Types of Prayer

20. How to Pray the Agpeya Stand up in prayer with the Agpeya at least twice a day, one in the morning and another in the evening.Stand up in prayer with the Agpeya at least twice a day, one in the morning and another in the evening. Pray with understanding and don’t be hasty. You may even pause when you come across some of the beautiful meanings. Ponder upon them and repeat them several times from your heart. It is important to offer our love and longing to God without formalities.Pray with understanding and don’t be hasty. You may even pause when you come across some of the beautiful meanings. Ponder upon them and repeat them several times from your heart. It is important to offer our love and longing to God without formalities. 20 Types of Prayer

21. How to Pray the Agpeya You may incorporate a part of a song or a hymn in your prayer to help you focus better and to use different forms of prayer.You may incorporate a part of a song or a hymn in your prayer to help you focus better and to use different forms of prayer. Use different body postures with different forms of prayer. Prostate, bow down, raise hands …Use different body postures with different forms of prayer. Prostate, bow down, raise hands … Pray with a soft but audible voice and with a subtle tune. This will also help you to focus and to bring fervor for prayer in your heart.Pray with a soft but audible voice and with a subtle tune. This will also help you to focus and to bring fervor for prayer in your heart. 21 Types of Prayer

22. How to Pray the Agpeya Relate the meaning of the psalms and the passages to your own life. Ask the Lord to give you strength to overcome your weaknesses and sins.Relate the meaning of the psalms and the passages to your own life. Ask the Lord to give you strength to overcome your weaknesses and sins. Start with three Metanoias, prostrations to the ground, before each hour prayer and say: “Lord, give me grace and help to stand before you and complete the prayer so I may gladden your heart.”Start with three Metanoias, prostrations to the ground, before each hour prayer and say: “Lord, give me grace and help to stand before you and complete the prayer so I may gladden your heart.” 22 Types of Prayer

23. How to Pray the Agpeya Do not worry if your thoughts go astray. Quickly, refocus and keep your eyes on the Agpeya again and continue to follow the text to be more focused and attentive, even if you have memorized the psalms.Do not worry if your thoughts go astray. Quickly, refocus and keep your eyes on the Agpeya again and continue to follow the text to be more focused and attentive, even if you have memorized the psalms. After praying using the Agpeya, give yourself an opportunity to open up your heart to God. You may want to talk to Him, thank him, and present to him your simple needs.After praying using the Agpeya, give yourself an opportunity to open up your heart to God. You may want to talk to Him, thank him, and present to him your simple needs. 23 Types of Prayer

24. How to Pray the Agpeya This open ended and quite time is what is known as “spontaneous prayer” or “impromptu Prayer.” Give great significance to this type of prayer and, as much as you are able to, make an effort to give it more time so that you may be filled with peace and enlightenment.This open ended and quite time is what is known as “spontaneous prayer” or “impromptu Prayer.” Give great significance to this type of prayer and, as much as you are able to, make an effort to give it more time so that you may be filled with peace and enlightenment. 24 Types of Prayer