👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾A sacred Exposition on #Nwaye #Kedsat : The #Holy #Relics of the Church
Part 2
As proclaimed by the Orthodox Tradition and drawn from the teachings of the faithful on the website of John the Repentant
Brethren beloved of the Lord,
May peace, light, and truth shine upon your souls from the dwelling of the Most High. With a heart full of reverence and in the spirit of the ancient fathers, we offer you this second portion of the divine lesson concerning Nwaye Kedsat—the Sacred Offering, the Spiritual Vesture of the Church, the Veil of Holy Things.
Let us now unfold, one by one, the sacred vessels, symbols, and instruments that participate in the mystery of the Divine Liturgy, and through which the heavenly realities are revealed in the earthly sanctuary. These are not mere objects of ritual, but living testaments of Christ’s Passion, His Resurrection, and the eternal covenant of salvation.
1. The Crown – A Diadem of Sanctity and Honor
In the era of the Law, the priests of the Most High bore a crown upon their foreheads—“Holiness to the Lord” engraved in pure gold (Exodus 39:30). This was not mere ornamentation, but a seal declaring their consecration to the divine service.
In the New Covenant, this tradition is not abolished but fulfilled. The priest wears a crown during the Divine Liturgy. This crown bears not only gold but the Cross—the seal of our redemption. It is a crown of honor, adorning not just the servant but the very mystery of the Body and Blood of Christ. As the Apostle says, “Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible” (1 Cor. 9:25). This is the crown of sanctity, of glory, of martyrdom, and of victory.
2. Incense – The Fragrance of Prayer
O the sweet fragrance that rises like the prayers of the saints! Incense is not a perfumed luxury, but a sacred offering unto the Lord. It must be pure, without blemish or admixture (Exodus 30:35). It is forbidden to use the holy incense of God for any mundane or personal purpose (Ex. 30:37-38)—a command that echoes the seriousness with which we approach sacred worship.
This incense ascends with every prayer, every supplication, as a symbol of the presence of the Holy Spirit, sweet and sanctifying. It is the smoke of holiness, veiling the sanctuary, filling the temple, and carrying the hearts of the faithful heavenward.
3. The Censer – The Vessel of Fire and Fragrance
The censer—crafted from iron, brass, gold, or silver—must be made from materials not easily consumed by fire. It is the crucible where incense is transformed by flame, where the spiritual and the physical meet.
During the Prayer of the Covenant, during the Liturgy, and in all solemn rites, the priest bears the censer as a minister of mystery. It is a continuation of the Ark of the Covenant and the golden censer of the ancient tabernacle (Leviticus 16:12, Hebrews 9:4). Though no longer of pure gold alone, it remains precious by its purpose, for it bears the smoke of praise.
4. The Holy Books – Wellsprings of Divine Wisdom
The Scriptures are not merely read—they are enthroned, sung, and lived within the Church. The Bible, the Book of the Gospel, the Book of Hymns, and the Book of Incense—each is a chalice of divine wisdom poured out for the faithful.
They are proclaimed during the Liturgy and the Prayer of the Covenant, guiding the Church through prophecy, psalm, Gospel, and apostolic doctrine. Every letter is fire; every word is light.
Continues 👇🏽