The Divine Liturgy, Part 3

Servants Preparation Curriculum

Lecture X, Servants Preparation Curriculum

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The Divine Liturgy, St. Basil’s Liturgy

Objectives:

1. To see the different types of Liturgy
2. To identify the different parts of The Liturgy
3. To learn the main dogmatic facts seen in The Liturgy

Lecture X, Servants Preparation Curriculum

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The Common Liturgies

There are 3 common Liturgies in The Coptic Orthodox Church:

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1. St. Basil’s Liturgy (330 - 379 AD)
• Prayed Annually

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• St. Gregory of Nazianzus’ Liturgy (330 – 389 AD)
• Prayed on Feast Days

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• St. Cyril’s Liturgy (the 24^th Pope) (444 AD) is a modified version of St. Mark’s which might from St. James of Alphaeus, the Bishop of Jerusalem)
• Prayed during Lent

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Other Liturgies

• St. John Chrysostom’s Liturgy
• The Ethiopian Liturgy
• The Syrian Liturgy

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The Divine Liturgy, St. Basil’s Liturgy

Objectives:

1. To see the different types of Liturgy
2. To identify the different parts of The Liturgy
3. To learn the main dogmatic facts seen in The Liturgy

Lecture X, Servants Preparation Curriculum

5

The Altar Vessels

• The Holy Tablet
• 12 towels as a symbol of the 12 disciples
• The Paten as a symbol of The Manger or The Tomb
• The Dome as a symbol of The Star in Bethlehem
• The Throne/Ark as a symbol of The Ark of Covenant
• The Chalice
• The Spoon/Mystir
• The Gospel
• The Censor and The Incense Box
• Two Candles as a symbol of 2 angels

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The Liturgy

• Part 1: The Offertory

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• Part 2: The Liturgy of The Catechumens

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• Part 3: The Liturgy of The Faithful

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The Liturgy’s Divisions

Part 1: The Offertory

1. The Preparation
• Getting Dressed
• Preparing the Altar
• The Canonical Hours
• The Hand Washing
• The Orthodox Creed
2. Choosing The Lamb
• The Rite of Choosing the Lamb
• The Procession of The Lamb
• The Lamb's Blessings

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The Liturgy’s Divisions

Part 1: The Offertory Cont.

3. The Thanksgiving
• The Prayer of Thanksgiving
4. The Prayer of Offertory

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The Canonical Hours

• Non-Fasting Days = 3^rd and 6^th Hours

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• Fasting Days = 3^rd, 6^th, and 9^nth Hours

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• Days of Lent = 3^rd, 6^th, 9nth, 11^th, and 12^th Hours

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• Days of Pentecost = 3^rd Hour

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• The Hand Washing is a symbol of purity and readiness!

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The Rite of Choosing The Lamb

• Abouna chooses from 1, 3, 5, or 7 Oblations
• 3 as a symbol of The Holy Trinity
• 5 as a symbol of The 5 Sacrifices of The Old Testament
• 7 as a symbol of The 5 Sacrifices of The Old Testament, The Passover Lamb, and Leper’s offering of two sparrows
• Abouna chooses The Oblation in the form of a Cross
• Abouna chooses The Oblation with the 3 holes towards the Deacon holding the wine
• The Deacon holding the wine forms a Cross with his hands
• Abouna anoints The Chosen Lamb with the wine saying Sacrifice of Glory and anoints the others saying Sacrifices of blessings of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Mecheizadek

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The Oblation/Lamb

• It is rounded as a symbol of The Eternal Jesus Christ who has NO beginning and NO end
• It should be made fresh each Liturgy as Jesus never gets old
• It is made of pure white refined flour as a symbol of Jesus’ Pure Nature
• They add yeast which represents the sin of the people as He is the carrier of our sins
• It is made with fire in an oven to kill the yeast/sin
• No added salt as preservatives since Jesus is Entirely Pure and Perfect
• No added sugar as Jesus did not live a life of entertainment

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The Oblation/Lamb Cont.

• It is made with 5 holes as a symbol of Jesus’ sufferings on The Cross (the two nails in both hands, the nail joining His feet, The Crown of Thorns, and the piercing with the spear)
• 3 on the right side
• 2 on the left side

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The Oblation/Lamb Cont.

• It is stamped with a special stamp having one big Cross in the middle surrounded by 12 smaller crosses
• The center is called the Espadicon which means “The Master Part” and it symbolizes Lord Jesus Christ, Himself
• The 12 smaller crosses are a symbol of Jesus’ 12 disciples
• Around these crosses, on the edges, it is stamped with the words “Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal”
• According to Tradition, these are the words spoken by Joseph of Arimathea during burial of Jesus’ body

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During The Fraction

• The priest incompletely divides The Lamb into pieces then puts it back together as a symbol of The Burnt Sacrifice of The Old Testament on The Bronze Altar
• Bethlehem is the place where they make the Orban while chanting Psalms

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The Procession of The Lamb

• Abouna covers The Oblation with linen as a symbol of Jesus wrapped in The Manger
• Abouna holds the covered Oblation with The Cross in a diagonal fashion – similar to Jesus carrying The Cross
• Honor and Glory
• The priest and the deacons proceed around The Altar declaring that Jesus’ Sacrifice covered and saved the entire world
• Washing the Oblation as a symbol of Jesus’ Baptism
• Abouna pours the wine in the shape of a Cross
• The wine and water mix as symbol of the Flowing Blood and Water which came from Jesus’ side on The Cross and the custom of The Passover

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The Procession of The Lamb Cont.

• The Thanksgiving Prayer
• Abouna covers Altar with Prospharine as a symbol of The Rock on The Tomb
• Abouna places a triangle-shaped linen as a symbol of The Roman Seal on The Tomb
• Everyone leaves the Altar, even The censor which is a Symbol of St. Mary, as a symbol of everyone who left Jesus alone in The Tomb

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Part 2: The Liturgy of The Catechumens

1. The Absolutions
• The Absolution to The Son
• The Absolution of the Ministers

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Part 2: The Liturgy of The Catechumens Cont.

2. The Readings
• Total 7 as a symbol of the 5 loaves and 2 fish
• The Pauline Epistle
• The Catholic Epistle
• The Act of the Apostles
• The Synaxarium
• The Psalm
• The Gospel
• The Sermon
3. The Prayer of the Veil

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Procession of The Pauline Epistle

• The Congregation chants The Golden Censor / Tai Shori
• Abouna proceeds 3 times around the Altar and one time around the church from left to right as a symbol of turning The Gentiles back to God before proceeding back to the Altar one time

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• Procession of The Catholic Epistle?
• None because The Disciples stayed around Jerusalem and did NOT preach from Resurrection to Pentecost

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Procession of The Acts

• Abouna proceeds 3 times around the Altar and one time around The Church from right to left as a symbol of turning the Jewish Nation to Jesus Christ before returning to the Altar
• There is no procession when he returns as all were martyred outside Jerusalem

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• A total of 7 processions around the Altar as a symbol of the procession around Jericho - so we can conquer the worlds troubles by praying around the altar!

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Incense Before The Prospharine

• As a symbol of the Mariams’ offering spices to Christ at The Tomb

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Part 2: The Liturgy of The Catechumens Cont.

4. The Three Long Litanies
• The Litany for The Peace of The Church
• The Litany of The Fathers
• The Litany of Congregation
• The Deacon Declares Ensophia
5. The Orthodox Creed
6. The Pre-Anaphora
7. The Washing of the Hands
8. The Prayer of Reconciliation until the Apostolic Kiss

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Part 3: The Liturgy of The Faithful

1. The Anaphora / Eucharistic Prayers
• The Lord be with you all
• Meet and Right
• The Sanctus (Holy. Holy. Holy)
2. The Consecrations
3. The Institution Narrative
• The Anamnesis
• “We commemorate His Holy Passion, His Resurrection from the dead, His second coming … we offer unto You”
• The Epiclesis - The Invocation of The Holy Spirit
• The Deacon says, “Worship God in fear and trembling”

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Part 3: The Liturgy of The Faithful Cont.

Jesus Christ is now on the Altar, so we begin to ask!

3. The 7 Short Litanies
• Peace
• The Fathers of The Church
• The Hegumens, Priests, and Deacons
• All servants
• This Holy Place
• The waters, herbs, plants, etc.
• The Oblations

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Part 3: The Liturgy of The Faithful Cont.

4. The Commemoration of The Saints
• The Deacons says, “Let those who read, recite the name of our holy fathers…”
• The Monks of St. Makarius’ Monastery added some names, like St Severus, to the top list

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Part 3: The Liturgy of The Faithful Cont.

5. The Diptych
6. The Introduction to The Fraction
• Again Let us give thanks to God, the Pantocrator…
7. The Fraction
• The Lord's Prayer which everyone should pray out loud!

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Part 3: The Liturgy of The Faithful Cont.

8. The Prayers before The Confession
• Abouna says, “The Holies are for the holy”
• The Congregation says, “One is The Holy Father, One is The Holy Son , One is The Holy Spirit. Amen”
9. The Confession
• The priest confesses The Nature of The Holy Body
• The deacon confirm the priest’s confession and instructs prayer on behalf of the Christians to be worthy to partake of the Holy Mysteries

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Part 3: The Liturgy of The Faithful Cont.

10. Communion
• The prayers before and after Communion
11. The Dismissal
• The prayer of laying the hands and the final blessing

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After Communion

• Feels blessed, happy, and joyful
• Have made a promise to pursue a holy life in order to be worthy of Communion
• Now have a longing to serve God, his church, fellow Christians, etc.
• Have made a plan to focus on a holy lifestyle
• Will avoid bad situation and places where sin is looming

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30

The Divine Liturgy, St. Basil’s Liturgy

Objectives:

1. To see the different types of Liturgy
2. To identify the different parts of The Liturgy
3. To learn the main dogmatic facts seen in The Liturgy

Lecture X, Servants Preparation Curriculum

31

Dogma in The Liturgy

• Our fathers used to formulate the dogmatic facts and beliefs into song as it is easier to memorize and practice then reading books

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• There are many basic beliefs inserted into the Liturgy!

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Getting Ready to Meet God

• God told Moses that the people should fast 3 days before meeting God on Mount Sinai as so we prepare ourselves by 9 hours of fasting
• Vespers
• Physical cleanliness
• Spiritual readiness
• Psalms 29 and 30 remind us of God Holiness
• The priest wash his hands

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The Canonical Hours

• Non-Fasting Days = 3^rd and 6^th Hours

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• Fasting Days = 3^rd, 6^th, and 9^nth Hours

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• Days of Lent = 3^rd, 6^th, 9nth, 11^th, and 12^th Hours

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• Days of Pentecost = 3^rd Hour

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Choosing The Lamb

• 5 holes = 5 wounds
• 13 Crosses
• One cross = Jesus
• 12 cross = disciples

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• The Trisagion = Holy God. Holy Mighty. Holy Immortal.

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Salvation via God’s Mercy

• 41 Lord Have Mercys

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• 41 = 39 lashes
• The Crown of Thorns
• The spear which pierced His side

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The Absolution of the Ministers

• From The Holy Trinity
• Apostles
• St. Mark
• The Fathers (318, 150, and 200)

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• We keep the same faith that we was delivered from God to them and was passed to us by the Apostles without change
• We adhere to the fathers’ teaching and beliefs

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The Hymn of The Intercessions

Through the intercession of the Mother of God, Saint Mary, O Lord grant us the forgiveness of our sins

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Through the intercessions of the seven archangels and the heavenly orders, O Lord, grant us the forgiveness of our sins

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…

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The Readings

• The Pauline Epistle
• The Catholic Epistle
• The Acts of The Apostles / The Praxis
• The Synaxarium
• The Psalm
• The Gospel
• The Sermon

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The Hymn of The Trisagion

Holy God, Holy Almighty, Holy Immortal, Who was born of the Virgin, have mercy upon us

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Holy God, Holy Almighty, Holy Immortal, Who was crucified for us, have mercy upon us

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Holy God, Holy Almighty , Holy Immortal, Who rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, have mercy upon us

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Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and always, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. O Holy Trinity, have mercy upon us

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The Orthodox Creed

• One God
• The Holy Trinity
• Equality between The Father and The Son
• The Incarnation of Jesus
• His Death and His Resurrection
• The Procession of The Holy Spirit from The Father
• One Baptism
• We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the coming age. Amen.

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The Prayer of Reconciliation

• God formed man in incorruption
• The original sin
• Death entered the world by envy of the devil
• Jesus incarnated and became man
• Eutychus’ Heresy = the human soul was absorbed by the Divinity of Christ

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The Liturgy of The Faithful

• The Anaphora
• The priest and the deacon lift the Prospherine and slowly wave it above their head and the bells are heard in the church

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• Lifting up the Prospherine acts as announcing The Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ

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Dogma

“Who are Master, Lord, God of truth, being before the ages and reigning forever, Who dwells in the highest and looks upon the lowly; Who has created the heaven, the earth, the sea and all that is therein”

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Dogmatic Facts

• God exists before the foundation of the world
• God is omnipresent
• God is the creator of the entire universe

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Dogma Cont.

“The Father of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, by Whom You have created all things, seen and unseen. Who sits upon the Throne of His Glory, and Who is worshipped by all the holy powers”

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Dogmatic Facts

• Jesus Christ is The Son of God
• Jesus is The Creator
• Jesus is above all the heavenly creatures
• Jesus’ Glory equals the Father’s

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Dogma Cont.

“Holy, Holy, Holy, truly O Lord, our God, Who formed us, created us and placed us in the paradise of joy”

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Dogmatic Facts

• The Holy Trinity
• Confirming the story of Adam and Eve in The Garden of Eden

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Dogma Cont.

“He took bread into His holy, spotless, unblemished, blessed and life-giving hands”

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Dogmatic Facts

• Jesus has a true body and true human soul
• Communion is established by Jesus Christ

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The Invocation of The Holy Spirit

• The Deacon, “Worship God in fear and trembling”

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• The Congregation, bows down and sings, “We praise You, we bless You, we serve You, and we worship You”

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Dogmatic Facts

• The role of The Holy Spirit in our Salvation
• Our worship to God should lead us to serving His name

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Dogma Cont.

“Most of all, the pure, full of glory, ever- virgin, the holy Mother of God, Saint Mary; who in truth, gave birth to God the Word

And St John, the forerunner, Baptist and martyr; St. Stephen the archdeacon, the protomartyr”

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Dogmatic Facts

• St. Mary is The Theotokos and Ever-Virgin
• Jesus (The Logos) was born from a woman

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Dogma Cont.

“Amen. Amen. Amen. I believe, I believe, I believe and confess to the last breath; that this is the Life-giving Body that Your Only-Begotten Son, our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ took from our lady, the lady of us all, the holy Mother of God, Saint Mary.

He made It One with His divinity without mingling, without confusion, and without alteration”

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Dogmatic Facts

• Jesus has One Nature
• His One Nature is of two united natures (Miaphysite)

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Dogma Cont.

“He witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate. He gave It up for us upon the holy wood of the cross, of His own will, for us all.

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Truly, I believe that His divinity parted not from His humanity for a single moment nor a twinkling of an eye; given for us for salvation, remission of sins and eternal life to those who partake of Him.

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I believe, I believe, I believe that this is so in truth. Amen”

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Dogma Cont.

“Praise God, in all His saints. Alleluia. Praise Him, in the firmament of His power. Alleluia.�Praise Him, for His mighty acts. Alleluia. Praise Him, according to the multitudes of His greatness. Alleluia”

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Dogmatic Facts

• God is All Mighty
• God is capable of anything - including sanctification/purification of humans and turning them into saints
• The role of the believers is to praise God with his other saints

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The Beginning vs The End of The Liturgy

• The Beginning = Lord have mercy

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• The Liturgy = celebrating Jesus’ Salvation for us

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• Ends with us praising Him

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53

The Divine Liturgy, St. Basil’s Liturgy

Objectives:

1. To see the different types of Liturgy
2. To identify the different parts of The Liturgy
3. To learn the main dogmatic facts seen in The Liturgy

Lecture X, Servants Preparation Curriculum

54

Review Questions

1. X

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Memorization Verses

1. X

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