1. How to take part in the Holy Qurbana?
We have to take part in the Holy Qurbana with due discipline, standing well, in awe and sober minds, in comeliness and in holiness, in love and true faith especially in the fear of God. At the time of prayer and when attending Holy Qurbana our hands are to be stretched straight down wards or holding the hands across the breast or with hands raised as we do when Lord’s prayer is recited. The traditional Indian greeting with palms folded in reverence and awe is also good. But it is not proper to put down hands carelessly or turning to the backside in a haphazard manner.
2. In answer to the priest
All participants have to say in reply with loud voice and clear tone.
3. Book to be used.
Though we know by heart, still it is good to use a book as far as possible and say or sing by looking into it.
4. The significance of the sign of the cross
We make the sign of the cross by touching the forehead first, then to chest to remember that our Lord came down from heaven to earth for our salvation and then moving from left shoulder to the right shoulder to remember that we children of the left by our sins are turned to the children of the right by the death of our Saviour on the cross. We make the sign with the thumb and the first two fingers of the right hand joined together. We should bow our body and to make the sign whenever we say ” Crucified for us” and also at the time of remembrance of the death of our Lord in the Nicene Creed.
5. When we pray.
We should stand still facing the east with folded hands across the breast subduing distracting thoughts.
6. Why we face the east when we pray?
It is because our church believes that the Second Coming of our Lord will be from the East. St. Mathew: 24:27 “ for as lighting that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man”.
7. Where ever the name of the Trinity is spoken.
It is but proper to make the sign of the cross.
8. How to make the sign of the cross?
With respect, bowing one’s head.
9. When "Kauma" is spoken.
Both hands to be opened and raised upwards.
10. When the Lord's prayer is recited.
Eyes have to be raised up to the heaven.
11. Sunday evening.
Means the evening on the eve of Saturday
12. Church calendar.
Starts from the Koodosh Etho Sunday (Purification of the church). The Sunday between October 30 and November 5 is Koodos Etho. One Calendar year is divided into six periods and the worship is arranged. Which are they?
• From Koodos Etho Sunday to Yeldo
• From Yeldo (Birth) to Kothine
• From Kothine (weater made into wine) Sunday to Kymtha
• From Kymtha (Resurrection) Sunday to Pentecost
• From Pentecost to Sleeba
• From Sleeba (feast of the Cross) to Koodos Etho.
13. Maranaya (that relates to the Lord) Festivals.
To celebrate as Sunday.
14. In the Great Lent.
Holy Qurbana is celebrated only on Saturday and Sunday except on Maranaya festivals. Remembrance of the departed souls is also done only on those days. It is because all the other days are observed as fasting days. But Holy Qurbana is celebrated on Vachanippu perunal irrespective of the above. (Vachanippu perunal is the day of festival on which message of the birth of Christ was given to St. Mary by Gabriel)
15. Whenever to receive Holy Communion?
St. Basil the great has said that Holy Communion is to be received once in every fortieth days. It may be because as some physicians say, the food we take, have its effect on the body till the 40th day. This may be one of the reasons for this suggestion. It is but proper to receive Holy Communion as often as possible, say at all services we attend.
16. In comeliness to attend the Holy Service
As far as possible wear white dress properly washed. Make sure that the body is cleansed after bathing. (It is always better to avoid dress with deep colors)
17. Without eating food.
We have to attend the Holy Qurbana. That is our tradition.