The Divine Liturgy

We celebrate the Divine Liturgy on the second and fourth Saturday of every month, from 08:30 until about 12:00. On the Friday before, the young people meet from 18:00 to 22:00 for praise, teaching, evening incense and a shared meal.

Three and a half hours sounds long. In practice people come and go: families with small children arrive later, others have to leave early. Nobody minds and nobody notices.

The service is celebrated in several languages. Arabic, German and French alternate, joined by ancient Coptic, the language of Egypt's Christians. The sermon is translated into German, and the whole liturgy is projected on a screen, so you can always see where we are.

Much is sung rather than spoken. The melodies are centuries old and are still passed on by ear. They are accompanied only by cymbals and triangle, no organ, no other instrument.

Incense belongs to a Coptic service as much as the chant. It rises several times during the liturgy and stands for prayer ascending to God. If you are sensitive to it, sit further back.

Icons and candles belong to it as well.

The liturgy begins with prayers and hymns of preparation. Readings from the Bible and the sermon follow. The second part leads to the Eucharist, the heart of the service.

Only those who are baptised and have prepared approach communion. As a guest you simply stay in your seat, which is entirely fine. If you would like to know more, ask us afterwards.

After every liturgy we lay the table. "Agape" means love, and that is exactly what is shared there: food, conversation and time. It often lasts well into the afternoon.

As a guest you are expressly invited. Nobody eats alone here, and the agape is the moment when you really get to know the parish.