Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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COPTIC RITE

Three forms of the Eucharistic ritual, that of St. Cyril, St. Gregory Nazianzus, and St. Basil, used by the Coptic churches united with the Holy See. The Anaphora, or canon, of St. Cyril, also called St. Mark's, together with parts common to all, duplicates the Greek St. Mark's. When translations were made into Coptic, some Greek forms were retained but were written in Coptic characters. St. Basil's ritual is used on Sundays, weekdays, and for requiems. St. Gregory's is used on certain feast days, St. Cyril's during Lent and on Christmas Eve.