St. Marks Coptic Church Melbourne

In the Divine Liturgy, Abouna says :" Houses of prayer..." and "Cups" smoke form the 'shoria' under the 'Veil' and onto the Altar... what does that symbolise?

Great question! Let me try and aswer this as simply as possible.

The incense is often symbolised as prayer offered to God. When Abouna "cups" the incense from the Shoria, and releases is OVER the Veil (where the Body and Blood are). He is asking God on behalf of everyone to give us "houses of Prayer and houses of Purity" And the only way that we can have houses of 'Prayer and Purity' is to have God in the center. This is why Abouna releases the incense OVER the Altar.

The second time Abouna releases the Incense cupped in his hand UNDER the Veil. This is to symbolise when the the two Marys went to where Jesus was buried with Spices.

God Bless You.