When is the hymn chanted as we are walking in the back of the church?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-09

The practice of chanting the hymn Ⲉⲗⲉⲥⲙⲁⲣⲱⲟⲩⲧ (El-esmaroot) while walking through the church occurs during the Liturgy of the Waters, specifically the Liturgy of the Laqan (ⲗⲁⲕⲁⲛ).

This specific rite occurs three times in the Coptic Orthodox liturgical year:

1. The Feast of Epiphany (Paramoni/Eve)
2. Covenant Thursday (Holy Thursday)
3. The Feast of the Apostles (July 12 / 5 Abib)

Context of the Procession:

During the Liturgy of the Laqan, after the sanctification of the water, a procession takes place. While the priest is washing the feet of the men (on Covenant Thursday and the Feast of the Apostles) or anointing the people with water (on Epiphany), the congregation and the deacons chant hymns.

When the priest and deacons process through the church to bless the congregation or when the priest moves to the back of the church to the Laqan basin (which is traditionally located in the narthex or the back of the church), the hymn Ⲉⲗⲉⲥⲙⲁⲣⲱⲟⲩⲧ is often chanted in its Processional or Watos melody.

Specifically on the Feast of the Apostles:

The rite involves the priest washing the feet of the men and anointing the women. As noted in the liturgical order:

• Psalm 150 is chanted while the priest washes the feet.
• If there is time during this process, the special Watos Psali for the Laqan (which includes the themes found in El-esmaroot) is chanted as the clergy move among the people.

Connection to the Liturgy:

While the hymn is most commonly known as a Communion hymn, its use during the Laqan highlights its role as a declaration of the "Blessed Trinity." Because the Laqan is a service of purification and a reminder of our baptism, we chant Ⲉⲗⲉⲥⲙⲁⲣⲱⲟⲩⲧ (Blessed be the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit) to glorify the Trinity, who sanctifies the water for the blessing of the faithful.

In the Diocese of Los Angeles, Moalem George Mikhail and his counterparts (such as Moalem Ibrahim Ayad or Moalem Gad Lewis) teach these specific melodies to ensure that the transition from the back of the church to the sanctuary during these unique offices is done with the correct rhythmic "Processional" tune.