Fr. Sujit T Thomas
Assistant Vicar, St Thomas Orthodox Church, Philadelphia (Unruh Ave.)
Some words are best left untranslated!
Amen, Hallelujah, Hosanna are some of the most common ones. Orthodox liturgy often incorporates many such words. Learning such words and phrases will help in a more meaningful participation in the liturgy.
The easiest one to start with is Amen. Amen is an expression of assent with whatever was previously said and is a basic part of “antiphonal” (saying this alternatively between two groups) liturgy. The Amen is the congregation’s resounding response to the prayer/declaration by the celebrant, choir or reader. The first time we say Amen in the Holy Qurbana is immediately after the Promeon (prayer following Gospel reading).
One interesting fact about Amen is that Christ is called Amen. Rev. 3:14 states
"‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:"
