The Rite of the Entry of the Lord into the Temple

The Synod agreed to the explanation set out in the report by Ritual Committee regarding the Feast of the Entry of the Lord Christ into the Temple. The rituals are as follows:

1. After the reading of the liturgy Gospel in Coptic and Arabic, the Gospel [box] shall be wrapped in a white, silk covering, and the Priest walks facing forward, and the Deacons walk in front of him holding candles, then the priest with the censor. They circumambulate with it [the Gospel] around the Sanctuary three times while chanting the hymn
   ]galilea `nte nie;noc
   (Tigalilia ente niethnos) with its tune using cymbals. The Priest then stands at the door of the Sanctuary and the Priests approach and offer incense to the Gospel then greet it. Then the sermon is said, then the Liturgy Gospel response with the joyous tune. "
2. Comment: The Priest carries the Gospel as Simeon the Elder held the Lord Christ when he was a child on the day he entered the Temple. Since the Gospel is the Word of God, it represents the Lord Christ, the incarnate Word of God, and the Priest offers incense to the Gospel, honouring it.