HymnsMiddle SchoolGrades 6 - 8
Northern California Coptic Orthodox ChurchesMahragan Alkeraza
Festival of the See of Saint Mark2010
Greetings Young Ladies and Gentlemen,
You are the church of tomorrow. For this reason, we are happy that you are participating in the Festival of the See of Saint Mark. His Holiness
Pope Shenouda is proud of all of you. Our fathers the metropolitans and bishops, our fathers the priests, and the servants are also proud of you. Why? Because, when you memorize the hymns of the church, know the Coptic language, and study the Holy Bible and participate in all aspects of the Festival, you become sons and daughters of the
church - understanding, living, and involved in it.
We are very happy that you started memorizing the hymns, as well as the responses of the Divine Liturgy and the occasions of the Church. We thank God
that our father the Bishop Raphael and our wonderful teachers and chanters of our church - the beloved Cantor Ibrahim Ayad, Cantor Baher, Cantor Amin - recorded the hymns beautifully for you, so that you chant them, pray with us, and participate with us in the Divine Liturgy.
The hymns and responses of the Liturgy, as well as the hymns of the well-known occasions, are important and everyone should learn them. After that, there are advanced-level hymns. These are for the gifted and clever youth who are willing to go the extra mile. These hymns are longer and harder, similar to the hymns of Holy Week (Pascha).
I am very happy to introduce this curriculum for you. His Holiness and the whole church are very proud of you when you get involved like this in the life of the Church. You become the youth of the future and the church of the future. Many of you are familiar with the words of His Holiness when he says, “A church without youth is a church without a future.” And the response was, “And also, Your Holiness, a youth without a church is a youth without a future.”
I wish for you a successful future.
Peace,
Bishop Moussa
Introduction by H.G. Bishop Moussa
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HymnsMiddle School
Required Hymns Page
1. The Standard Verses of Cymbals (as chanted throughout the year) 1
2. The Hymn of the Censer (taisour/) 8
3. The Standard Praxis Response (as chanted throughout the year)
(,ere ne Maria)
10
4. Response from the Divine Liturgy according to Saint Gregory,
“Absolve” (bwl e~bol)
12
5. Response from the Divine Liturgy according to Saint Basil, “As It
Was” (wc per/n)
14
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HymnsMiddle School
Advanced Level Hymns Page
1. The Hymn of Blessing (tenouwst) 16
2. The Greek Hymn for the Nativity (/ paryenoc) 18
3. The Hymn of our Lord (pen[oic) for the Feast of Nativity 20
4. The Hymn for the Epiphany, “A Name of Pride” (ouran n~sousou)
(first verse)
22
iii
1
Middle School (Grades 6-8) Required Hymns
Required Hymn
The Verses of Cymbalsas chanted throughout the year
The Verses of Cymbalsas chanted throughout the year
The Introduction on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday (Adam Days):The Introduction on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday (Adam Days):
(Kurie e~le/~con) Amwini
marenouwst: n~]t~riac
eyouab: e~te v~iwt nem
p~s/ri: nem pip~neuma
eyouab
(Lord, have mercy) Come, let
us worship the Holy Trinity:
the Father and the Son and
the Holy Spirit
Anon qa nilaoc:
n~,~rictianos: vai gar pe
pennou]: n~a~l/yinoc.
We the Christian people for
this is our True God.
Ouon ouhelpic n~tan: qen
y/eyouab Maria: e~re
v~nou] nai nan: hiten
necp~recibia.
We have hope in Saint Mary
that God will have mercy on
us through her intercessions.
Ouon oumetcemnoc: n~h~r/i
qen paikocmoc:
e~bolhiten pis~l/l:
n~te ]a~gia
Maria ]paryenoc.
We have peace in this world
through the prayer of Saint
Mary the Virgin.
2
Middle School (Grades 6-8) Required Hymns
The Introduction on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (Vatos Days):The Introduction on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (Vatos Days):
(Kurie e~le/~con)
Tenouwst m~viwt nem
p~s/ri nem pip~neuma
eyouab: ]t~riac eyouab:
n~o~mooucioc.
(Lord, have mercy) We
worship the Father and the
Son and the Holy Spirit, the
Holy, One-in-Essence Trinity.
<ere ]ekk~l/cia: p~/i
n~te niagge-
loc: ,ere ]paryenoc:
e~tacmec pencwt/r
Hail to the Church, the house
of the angels. Hail to the
Virgin, who gave birth to our
Savior.
Then Continue:Then Continue:
<ere ne Maria: ][~rompi
eynecwc: y/e~tacmici nan:
m~v~nou] pilogoc.
Hail to you, Mary, the
beautiful dove, who bore for
us God the Word.
<ere ne Maria: qen
ou,ere efouab: ,ere ne
Maria: y~mau m~v/eyouab.
Hail to you, Mary, with a holy
hail. Hail to you, Mary, the
Mother of the Holy One.
<ere Mi,a/l: pinis]
n~ar,iaggeloc: ,ere
Gabri/l: picotp
m~(pi)faisennoufi.
Hail to Michael, the great
archangel. Hail to Gabriel, the
chosen announcer of good
news.
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Middle School (Grades 6-8) Required Hymns
<ere ni,eroubim: ,ere
niceravim: ,ere nitagma
t/rou: n~e~pouranion.
Hail to cherubim. Hail to the
seraphim. Hail to all the
heavenly orders.
<ere Iwann/c: pinis]
m~p~rodromoc: ,ere piou/b:
p~cuggen/c n~Emmanou/l.
Hail to John the great
forerunner. Hail to the priest,
the kinsman of Emmanuel.
<ere na[oic n~io]:
n~a~poctoloc: ,ere nima-
y/t/c: n~te pen[oic I/#c#
P,#c#.
Hail to my masters and
fathers, the apostles. Hail to
the disciples of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
<ere nak w~ pimartu-
roc: ,ere pieuaggelic-
t/c: ,ere pia~poctoloc:
(abba) Markoc
piyew~rimoc.
Hail to you, O martyr. Hail to
the evangelist. Hail to the
apostle Mark, the beholder of
God.
<ere Ctevanoc: pisorp
m~marturoc: ,ere
piar,idiakwn: ouoh
t~~c~marwout.
Hail to Stephen, the first
martyr. Hail to the archdeacon
and the blessed.
4
Middle School (Grades 6-8) Required Hymns
<ere nak w~ pimartu-
roc: ,ere piswij
n~genneoc: ,ere
piaylovoroc: *pa[oic
p~ouro Gew~rgioc).
Hail to you, O martyr. Hail to
the courageous hero. Hail to
the fighter, *my master, Prince
George.
*…: Yeodwroc
pic~tratilat/c.
*...Theodore the General.
*…: vilopat/r
Merkourioc.
*...Philopater Mercurius.
*…: pia~gioc abba M/na. *...Saint Abba Mina.
}alou n~cab/
m~paryenoc: ]cwtp
n~kuria m~m/i: ]selet
n~te P,#c#: *]a~gia
Dumian/.
The wise virgin child, the
chosen and righteous lady, the
bride of Christ, *Saint
Demiana.
*…: ]a~gia Barbara. *...Saint Barbara
*…: ]a~gia Ioulian/. *...Saint Julianna
*…: ]a~gia Marin/. *…Saint Marina
5
Middle School (Grades 6-8) Required Hymns
<ere pinis] abba
Makari: piq/bc
n~te ]metmona,oc: nem
nefs/ri n~c~taurovoroc:
nimenra] n~te P,#c#.
Hail to the great Abba
Macarius, the lamp of
monasticism, and his children,
the cross-bearers, the beloved
of Christ.
If the patriarch, metropolitan, and/or bishop is (are) present, chant:If the patriarch, metropolitan, and/or bishop is (are) present, chant:
Ten]ho e~rok w~ u~ioc
yeoc: eyreka~reh e~p~wnq
m~penpatriar,/c: papa
abba Senou] piar,i-
e~reuc: matajrof hijen
pefy~ronoc.
We ask You, O Son of God, to
keep the life of our patriarch,
Pope Abba Shenouda the
archpriest. Confirm him on his
throne.
Nem pefkes~v/r
n~litourgoc peniwt
eyouab n~dikeoc: abba
Hedra pim/tropolit/c:
matajrof hijen
pefy~ronoc.
And his partner in the liturgy,
our holy and righteous father,
Abba Hedra the metropolitan.
Confirm him on his throne.
6
Middle School (Grades 6-8) Required Hymns
Nem pefkes~v/r
n~litourgoc peniwt
eyouab n~dikeoc: abba
Mwc/ pie~pickopoc:
pimenrit n~te P,#c#.
And his partner in the liturgy,
our holy and righteous father,
Abba Moussa (Moses) the
bishop, the beloved of Christ.
Nem pefkes~v/r
n~litourgoc peniwt
eyouab n~dikeoc: abba
Rava/l pie~pickopoc:
pimenrit n~te P,#c#.
And his partner in the liturgy,
our holy and righteous father,
Abba Raphael the bishop, the
beloved of Christ.
ConclusionConclusion
Hiten nip~recbia:
n~te ]yeo~tokoc eyouab
Maria: p~[oic a~rih~mot
nan m~pi,w e~bol n~te
nennobi.
Through the intercessions of
the Mother of God, Saint Mary,
O Lord, grant us the
forgiveness of our sins.
Eyrenhwc e~rok: nem
pekiwt n~a~gayoc: nem
pip~neuma eyouab: je aki~
akcw] m~mon nai nan.
That we may praise You with
Your Good Father and the Holy
Spirit, for You have come and
saved us. Have mercy on us.
7
Middle School (Grades 6-8) Required Hymns
Rites and Explanation
The Verses of Cymbalsas chanted throughout the year
These verses are chanted with the cymbals after the Prayer of
Thanksgiving during the Raising of Evening and Morning Incense
(Vespers and Matins). There are two introductions that begin this
hymn. The first is chanted on Adam Days (Sunday, Monday, and
Tuesday). The other introduction is chanted on Vatos Days
(Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday). After the introduction,
the verses for Saint Mary, the heavenly orders (the angels), the
martyrs, and the saints are chanted. These verses greet all the saints
as the faithful begin their worship.
8
Required Hymn
The Hymn of the CenserThe Hymn of the Censer
Taisour/ n~noub
n~kayaroc etfai qa
pia~rwmata etqen nenjij
n~Aa~rwn piou/b eftale
ouc~yoinoufi e~p~swi e~jen
piman~erswousi.
This is the censer of pure gold
bearing the aroma, in the
hands of Aaron the priest,
offering up incense on the
altar.
Middle School (Grades 6-8) Required Hymns
9
Rites and Explanation
The Hymn of the Censer
This hymn is chanted for the Virgin Saint Mary. It is chanted during
the Divine Liturgy after the Absolution of the Servants throughout
the year (on days without fasting and on feast days). On days of
fasting throughout the year (Wednesdays and Fridays, and also the
Saturdays and Sundays of the Great Lent), a second Hymn of the
Censer (]sour/) is chanted instead. However, during the Fast of
Nineveh and on the weekdays of Great Lent, a third Hymn of the
Censer (n~yo te ]sour/) is chanted.
This hymn is also chanted with a long melody during the sixth hour
of Great Friday.
The pure golden censer is a symbol of Saint Mary, who bore the fire
(of the divinity) and was not consumed. The incense represents the
prayers of the saints that are lifted up before God.
Middle School (Grades 6-8) Required Hymns
10
Required Hymn
Middle School (Grades 6-8) Required Hymns
The Praxis Response as Chanted throughout the Year“Hail to you, Mary” (<ere ne Maria)
The Praxis Response as Chanted throughout the Year“Hail to you, Mary” (<ere ne Maria)
<ere ne Maria: ][~rompi
eynecwc: y/e~tacmici nan:
m~v~ou] pilogoc.
Hail to you, Mary, the
beautiful dove, who bore for
us God the Word.
K~c~marwout a~l/ywc: nem
pekiwt n~a~gayoc: nem
pip~neuma eyouab: je aki~
akcw] m~mon nai nan.
Blessed are You truly with
Your Good Father and the Holy
Spirit, for You have come and
saved us. Have mercy on us.
11
Rites and Explanation
Middle School (Grades 6-8) Required Hymns
The Praxis Response as Chanted throughout the Year“Hail to you, Mary” (<ere ne Maria)
This hymn is chanted after the reading of the Catholic epistle and
before the reading of the Acts of the Apostles (Praxis) in Coptic and
English. In this hymn we offer a greeting to the pure Virgin Saint
Mary, who bore for us God the Word (Logos).
The melody of this hymn is the same throughout the year despite the
occasion, feast or fast. However, the Praxis Response for the
weekdays of Great Lent and the Fast of Nineveh (Sare v~nou])
carries a different tune.
12
Required Hymn
Middle School (Grades 6-8) Required Hymns
Response from the Divine Liturgy of Saint Gregory“Absolve” (Bwl e~bol)
Response from the Divine Liturgy of Saint Gregory“Absolve” (Bwl e~bol)
Bwl e~bol: ,w e~bol:
a~ricun,wrin nan V~nou]
n~nenparaptwma: n/
e~tanaitou qen penouws
nem n/e~tanaitou qen
penouws an: n/e~tanaitou
qen oue~mi nem n/
e~tanaitou qen
oumetate~mi: n/eth/p nem
n/eyouwnh e~bol: P~[oic
eke~,au nan e~bol.
Absolve, forgive, and remit, O
God, our transgressions -
those which we have
committed willingly and those
which we have committed
unwillingly; those which we
have committed knowingly
and those which we have
committed unknowingly; the
hidden and the manifest - O
Lord, forgive us.
13
Rites and Explanation
Middle School (Grades 6-8) Required Hymns
Response from the Divine Liturgy of Saint Gregory“Absolve” (Bwl e~bol)
This hymn is chanted after the Commemoration of the Saints and the
prayers for the departed in the Divine Liturgy of Saint Gregory. It is
chanted before the Introduction to the Fraction.
In this hymn, we ask the Lord to forgive our sins - those we
committed willingly and unwillingly, knowingly and unknowingly, and
the hidden and the manifest.
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Required Hymn
Middle School (Grades 6-8) Required Hymns
Response from the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil“As It Was” (Wc per/n)
Response from the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil“As It Was” (Wc per/n)
Wc per/n ke ecte ectin
a~po geneac ic genean ke
pantac touc e~w~nac twn
e~w~nwn a~m/n.
As it was and shall be from
generation to generation and
unto the all ages of the ages.
Amen.
15
Rites and Explanation
Middle School (Grades 6-8) Required Hymns
Response from the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil“As It Was” (Wc per/n)
This hymn is chanted during the Divine Liturgy after the
Commemoration of the Saints and during the prayers for the
departed. It is chanted before the Introduction to the Fraction. In the
prayers for the departed, the priest prays for those who reposed in
the faith. We also ask that God keeps those living on this earth in the
Orthodox faith until the end.
16
Advanced Level Hymn
The Hymn of BlessingThe Hymn of Blessing
Tenouwst m~v~iwt n~te
piouwini: nem pefs/ri
m~monogen/c: nem
pip~neuma m~parakl/-
ton: ]t~riac n~o~mooucioc.
We worship the Father of the
Light and His Only Begotten
Son and the Holy Spirit, the
Paraclete (Comforter), the
one-in-essence Trinity.
Middle School (Grades 6-8) Advanced Level Hymns
17
Rites and Explanation
Middle School (Grades 6-8) Advanced Level Hymns
The Hymn of Blessing
This hymn is also called the Hymn of the Holy Trinity. It is chanted
after the Raising of Morning Incense (Matins) and before the
canonical hours of prayer (the Agpeya). In this hymn we offer worship
to the Holy Trinity - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit - one in
essence.
On days of fasting, the hymn of A pinau swpi (“The time has
come”) may be chanted after or instead of the Hymn of Blessing. This
hymn is also chanted before the reading of Revelation on Bright
Saturday (the Night of Apocalypse).
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Advanced Level Hymn
Middle School (Grades 6-8) Advanced Level Hymns
The Greek Hymn for the NativityThe Greek Hymn for the Nativity
?~ paryenoc c/meron ton
u~peroucion tikti ke /~
g/ to c~p/leon tw
aprocitw p~rocagi aggeli
meta pi menwn
doxologouci m~magi de
meta acteroc o~di
porouci di/mac gar
e~genn/y/ pedion neon
o~p~roe~w nwn yeoc.
Today the Virgin gives birth to
the Sublime Essence and the
earth offers the manger to the
Unapproachable. The angels
with the shepherds are
glorifying and the wise men
with the star are going on
their way, because a new child
is born for our sake. He is the
God before all ages.
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Rites and Explanation
Middle School (Grades 6-8) Advanced Level Hymns
The Greek Hymn for the Nativity
This Greek Hymn is chanted before the Thrice-Holy Hymn (agioc)
and after the reading of the Acts of the Apostles on the Feast of the
Nativity. This hymn has deep theological meaning.
This hymn is about the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ from the Virgin
Mary and the visit of the shepherds and the Magi (wise men).
This hymn was selected from among twelve verses of a hymn in the
Greek Church. It was modified by the Coptic Church during the time
of Pope Cyril IV, who is also known as “The Reformer.”
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Advanced Level Hymn
Middle School (Grades 6-8) Advanced Level Hymns
The Hymn of Pen[oic (our Lord)for the Feast of Nativity
The Hymn of Pen[oic (our Lord)for the Feast of Nativity
Pen[oic I/#c# P,#c#: v/-
e~tacmacf n~je ]paryenoc:
qen B/yleem
n~te ]Ioudea~: kata nic~m/
m~p~rov/tikon.
Our Lord Jesus Christ (Who)
was born of the virgin in
Bethlehem of Judea according
to the prophetic voices.
Ni,eroubim nem nicera-
vim: niaggeloc nem
niar,iaggeloc: nic~tratia
nem niexoucia: niy~ronoc
nimet[oic nijom
The cherubim and the
seraphim, the angels and the
archangels, the principalities
and the authorities, the
thrones, the dominions, and
the powers
Euws e~bol eujw m~moc:
je ouw~ou m~V~nou] qen
n/et[oci: nem ouhir/n/
hijen pikahi: nem
ou]ma] qen nirwmi.
cry out saying, “Glory to God
in the highest, peace on earth
and goodwill toward men.”
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Rites and Explanation
Middle School (Grades 6-8) Advanced Level Hymns
The Hymn of Pen[oic (our Lord)for the Feast of Nativity
The melody of this hymn is called Mohayer in Arabic.
There are other hymns chanted in this same melody for different
occasions throughout the year. The first word of these hymns is
either Pen[oic (our Lord) or Pa[oic (my Lord). Sometimes these
hymns are generally named Aspmasmos Meghaloo (acpacmoc
megalou), meaning ‘the great greeting.’
Specific verses are chanted for each occasion. In doing this, the
Church follows the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. As Saint Paul
instructs us, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord,
so walk in Him” (Colossians 2:6).
This hymn is chanted before the Thrice-Holy (Trisagion) Hymn
(Agioc) and the Litany for the Gospel.
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Advanced Level Hymn
Middle School (Grades 6-8) Advanced Level Hymns
The Hymn for Epiphany, “A Name of Pride”(Ouran n~sousou)
The Hymn for Epiphany, “A Name of Pride”(Ouran n~sousou)
Ouran n~sousou pe
pekran: w~ picuggen/c
n~Emmanou/l: n~yok
ounis] qen n/eyouab t/-
rou: Iwann/c piref]wmc.
A name of pride is your name,
O kinsman of Emmanuel. You
are great among all saints, O
John the Baptist.
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Rites and Explanation
Middle School (Grades 6-8) Advanced Level Hymns
The Hymn for Epiphany, “A Name of Pride”(Ouran n~sousou)
This hymn is chanted:
1) After the reading of the Pauline Epistle during the Liturgy of the
Blessing of Water (Laqqan) on the Feast of Epiphany
2) After the reading of the Syanxarion on the Feast of Epiphany
3) On the Feasts of Saint John the Baptist:
a) 2 Thout (September 12 or 13) - The Martyrdom of Saint John
the Baptist
b) 30 Amshir (March 9) - the Discovery of the Head of Saint
John the Baptist
c) 2 Paoni (June 9) - the Discovery of the Relicts of Sts. John the
Baptist and Elisha the Prophet
d) 30 Paoni (July 7) - the Birth (Nativity) of Saint John the
Baptist
This hymns has an introduction starting with, “A name of pride…”
followed by additional verses, called the Paralex. This hymn describes
Saint John the Baptist as great among the fathers and prophets, and
the greatest among those born of women.