coptichymns.net - Sharing the Joy of Coptic Hymns Around the World

shaq

posted on Mar 29, 2004 - 05:42 PM

are ostriches an endangered species?

Joined: Feb 07, 2003 | Posts: 336
Location: brooklyn,NY

PaulS

posted on Mar 30, 2004 - 03:44 AM

Not currently, no, but if every Coptic altar deacon starts buying feathers...

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egydave

posted on Feb 09, 2010 - 01:53 AM

To all my fellow brothers and sisters,

I just came across this topic, from back in the day, and I think it is a phenomenal tradition that our church has. I am especially wondering if any church is still performing the waving of ostrich feathers during the "meet and right" section of the liturgy. I would love to enact such a rite at our church.

Joined: Aug 30, 2005 | Posts: 127
Location: Rhode Island, USA

aguirguis

posted on Feb 09, 2010 - 02:10 AM

This is such an amazing rite. as silly of a question as this is, I'm going to ask it anyways, are you supposed to fan the feather in any particular way (aiming it anywhere or at any particular thing)? Has anyone found any written source documenting this particular rite?

Joined: Apr 27, 2003 | Posts: 208
Location: Boston, MA USA

stefanos

posted on Feb 14, 2010 - 08:01 PM

In Book VIII, part XII of the Apostolic Constitutions (called The Constitution of James the Brother of John, the Son of Zebedee) it states:

"But let two of the deacons, on each side of the altar, hold a fan, made up of thin membranes, or of the feathers of the peacock, or of fine cloth, and let them silently drive away the small animals that fly about, that they may not come near to the cups."

Seems like a practical reason but I have also heard of the symbolic meaning of it representing the presence of the Cherubim and Seraphim as well.

I have never actually seen it done with a real feather but with a corporal (cloth) which also goes along with this reference. It's interesting though that it says peacock and not osterich.

I have also seen the use of the metallic fans instead (Greek 'hexa-ptergion', Latin 'flabellum'). They are round metal fans on a wooden pole like the procession crosses. They have a picture or engraving of the Cherubim or Seraphim on them. I have seen them used in the Coptic Orthodox Church a couple times. They are often seen in the EO church and in the Syriac Orthodox Church. The Syriac Orthodox use them with multiple attached bells which they rattle at key moments during the Divine Liturgy.

Joined: Nov 26, 2003 | Posts: 124
Location: Michigan