Chapter 14: Liturgical Study

Question 1

The Pheero is a hat worn by priests. What does it signify? (Full priesthood, authority, discipline)

Answer 1

Full Priesthood

Question 2

Which vestment worn by monks has a large cross and twelve small crosses? (Uroro, Eskimo, Hamnikho)

Answer 2

Eskimo

Question 3

The Censer symbolizes which of the following? (Jesus death, presence of angels, purification of sinners)

Answer 3

Purification of sinners

Question 4

Which vestment is worn over the Kutino by deacons? (Zoonoro, Hamnikho, Uroro)

Answer 4

Uroro

Question 5

M’sone are ceremonial shoes that signify the readiness to trample the power of the __________.

Answer 5

Enemy

Question 6

The Masnaphto symbolizes the cloth with which the Lord’s head was bound for his __________.

Answer 6

Burial

Question 7

The Tharvodo is a small spoon used to administer the Holy Qurbono from the __________.

Answer 7

Chalice

Question 8

The Evangelion Table symbolizes the heights of __________ from where God spoke to Moses.

Answer 8

Mount Sinai

Question 9

The Batrashil reminds the bishop of the __________ carried by the Savior.

Answer 9

Cross

Question 10

The __________ is a sponge used to cleanse the sacramental vessels.

Answer 10

Gmurto

Question 11

The __________ is a star-shaped frame placed over the Paten to prevent Kablana touching the bread.

Answer 11

Kaukbo

Question 12

The __________ is a bowl used by the priest for mixing wine with wat

Answer 12

Mshamshanitho

Question 13

The __________ signifies the presence of angels around the altar during the liturgy.

Answer 13

Marvahtho

Question 14

True or False?
The Hamnikho symbolizes the rope put around the neck of Jesus Christ.

Answer 14

True

Question 15

True or False?
The Sakro is worn by deacons during the Holy Qurbono.

Answer 15

False

Question 16

True or False?
The Chithola represents the Holy Trinity through its three parts.

Answer 16

True

Question 17

True or False?
The Church bell is used to call the congregation to worship services, similar to a trumpet call in ancient times.

Answer 17

True

Question 17

True or False?
Lahmo, the Eucharistic Bread, is made without any leaven.

Answer 17

False

Question 18

True or False?
The Kasa is used to hold the Eucharistic wine.

Answer 18

True

Question 19

True or False?
The Zender symbolizes the priest’s control over all spiritual desires.

Answer 19

False

Question 20

True or False?
The Church Bell is used to gather the faithful for worship services.

Answer 20

True

Question 21

True or False?
The altar assistant uses the Hand Bell to mark the end of the Holy Qurbono.

Answer 21

False

Question 22

True or False?
The tablaitho can only be used in specific locations for the Holy Qurbono.

Answer 22

False

Question 23

What does Phayno symbolize historically in the liturgical vestments?

Answer 23

Aaron’s robes of many colours and the Saviour’s seamless robe.

Question 24

What are the three colours of Virikoottam?

Answer 24

Red, green, and yellow

Question 25

What church item does signify the tongs which the angel used in giving the glowing coal to the mouth of prophet Isaiah?

Answer 25

Tharvodo

Question 26

What does the Shushefo symbolize?

Answer 26

The Divine Mysteries being hidden from human understanding.

Question 27

What does the Kutino symbolize in the Syrian Orthodox Church?

Answer 27

The purity of those who serve in the Holy Altar

Question 28

What is the term for the ceremonial shoes worn by priests?

Answer 28

M’sone

Question 29

What does the term “Zoonoro” refer to in liturgical vestments?

Answer 29

Girdle

Question 30

What colour represents the purity of the Kutino?

Answer 30

White

Question 31

What does “Tharvodo” symbolize in the context of the Holy Qurbono?

Answer 31

Spoon

Question 32

What is the common name for the Eucharistic bread used in the liturgy?

Answer 32

Lahmo

Question 33

What is the name of the small cap worn by priests?

Answer 33

Pheero

Question 34

What does the term “Hamnikho” represent?

Answer 34

Wider Stole

Question 35

What is the name of the altar cloth that symbolizes the Holy Trinity?

Answer 35

Chithola

Question 36

What is the term for the cross placed on the Thronos?

Answer 36

Sleebo

Question 37

What does “Dhoopakutty” refer to in the church?

Answer 37

Censer

Question 38

What is the significance of the “Thronos” in the sanctuary?

Answer 38

Altar Table

Question 39

What does “Shushefo” represent in the liturgical context?

Answer 39

Veil

Question 40

What is the name of the ceremonial items used to cover the Chalice and Paten?

Answer 40

Kablana

Question 41

What is the term for the rectangular cloth with three colours on the altar?

Answer 41

Virikoottam

Question 42

What do the twelve candles on the altar symbolize?

Answer 42

Apostles

Question 43

Answer in one or two sentences:
What is the significance of the vestment Kutino?

Answer 43

Kutino is a white robe indicating the purity of those who serve in the Holy Altar, representing the luminous white robes of angels.

Question 44

Answer in one or two sentences:
What is the purpose of Hamnikho in liturgy?

Answer 44

The Hamnikho, or wider stole, indicates that the priest is armed with the fear of the Lord, and symbolizes the rope put around the neck of Jesus Christ by Roman soldiers. It is an armour and shield for spiritual battle.

Question 45

Answer in one or two sentences:
Why Thronos is called the ‘Tomb of the glorified Lord’?

Answer 45

Thronos is also called the ‘Tomb of the glorified Lord’ as the bread and wine placed upon it are transformed into the Body and Blood of our resurrected Lord.

Question 46

Answer in one or two sentences:
What is the significance of Lahmo used in the Holy Eucharist?

Answer 46

The Eucharistic Bread, called Lahmo, is made of wheat flour, water, salt, leaven and olive oil. The leaven used for preparing the bread is a portion of the leaven used in a previous preparation and as per tradition, it is traced back to the very bread used at the Last Supper.

Question 46

Answer in one or two sentences:
What do the twelve candles on the altar represent?

Answer 46

The twelve candles on the altar represent twelve apostles.

Question 47

Write an essay:
Describe the symbolic meaning of Censer (Dhoopakutty)?

Answer 47

The lower cup represents the earth and the upper cup the heaven. Among the four chains, the first chain stands for the Father, the second and third represent the Son, and the fourth chain signifies the Holy Spirit. The four chains are joined together using a circular disc on top with a hook representing the unity of the Holy Trinity. The twelve bells symbolise the twelve apostles. Several links of the four chains represent the saints, prophets and emissaries who led the people of God. The coal in the censer denotes the sinners and the fire signifies the Holy Spirit by whose contact the sinners get purified. The incense shows the grace of the Holy Trinity and cleansing of sins. As the smoke goes up so as our prayers should go high. The lower cup is also considered the womb of St. Mary where God the fire indwelled without burning as in the case of the burning bush (Exodus 3:2,3).

Question 48

Write an essay:
Describe the significance of the vestments Kutino, Hamnikho, M’sone and Pheero worn by the celebrant during the Holy Qurbono?

Answer 48

Kutino (Robe): It is a white robe indicating the purity of those who serve in the Holy Altar, representing the luminous white robes of angels.
Hamnikho (Wider Stole): The stole indicates that the priest is armed with the fear of the Lord, and symbolizes the rope put around the neck of Jesus Christ by Roman soldiers. It is an armour and shield for spiritual battle.
M’sone (Shoes): During the celebration of the Holy Qurbono, priests wear a pair of ceremonial shoes called M’sone. Since animal products are prohibited on the sanctuary, the ceremonial shoes are not made of leather. It signifies the readiness to trample and cast down under the foot the power of the enemy – all false pride and lust of flesh.
Pheero (Hat): Pheero means ‘fruit’. It is a small cap the priests wear during all public prayers. It consists of seven sections indicating the full priesthood of the celebrant.

Question 49

Write an essay:
Explain any THREE of the following: Thronos, Tablaitho, Virikoottam, Kabalana, Tharvodo, and Shushefo.

Answer 49

(Any THREE)
Thronos (Altar Table): Thronos which means ‘throne’ is located at the centre of the sanctuary representing the ‘tomb of Christ’. It is often referred to as the ‘Table of Life’ because the bread of life is placed on it. It is also called the ‘Tomb of the glorified Lord’ as the bread and wine placed upon it are transformed into the Body and Blood of our resurrected Lord.
Tablaitho (Tablet): A piece of wooden slab placed at the centre of the Thronos symbolizes the
cross of Jesus; and it is called ‘temporary altar’ where the Chalice and Paten are placed during Holy Qurbono. On one hand Holy Qurbono can be celebrated anywhere with Tabliatho, and on the other hand Holy Qurbono cannot be celebrated without it.
Virikoottam (Tricolour spread): This is a rectangular piece of cloth covering the Tablaitho. It s made of red, green and white/yellow coloured clothes representing the universe, the world, and the Holy Church respectively.
Kablana (M’Kablono/Cover): The two square shaped cloths called Kablana are used to cover the Chalice and Paten when they are not covered by the Shushefo. They symbolises the shroud that covered the body of Christ, and prefigured by the clouds that covered the Tent in the desert
during the plight of the Israelites from Egypt (Exodus 40:34).
Tharvodo (Spoon): The small spoon used to administer the Holy Qurbono from the Chalice represents the tongs which the angel used in giving the glowing coal to the mouth of prophet Isaiah in his vision (Isaiah 6:6,7).
Shushefo (Veil): The white veil used to cover the Paten and Chalice signifies the fact that the
Divine Mysteries are hidden from human understanding. It also symbolises the stone rolled over the Tomb of Christ and the rock of flint which sent forth twelve streams of water for the twelve tribes of Israel (Numbers 20: 2-11).