What are some common hymns sung during Tasbeha?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-08

In the Coptic Orthodox Church, Tasbeha (Midnight Praise — ⲡⲓϩⲱⲥ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲉϫⲱⲣϩ) is one of the most beautiful and spiritually rich services, consisting of Canticles (Hoos), Theotokias, and Doxologies.

Common hymns sung during Tasbeha include:

1. The Four Canticles (ⲡⲓⲫ'ⲧⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ϩⲱⲥ — Pi-fto-en-hoos)

• The First Hoos (Exodus 15): The Song of Moses, celebrating the victory over Pharaoh and the crossing of the Red Sea.
• The Second Hoos (Psalm 135): A hymn of thanksgiving, repeating the refrain "His mercy endures forever" (ϫⲉ ⲡⲉϥⲛⲁⲓ ϣⲟⲡ ϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ).
• The Third Hoos (Daniel 3): The Song of the Three Holy Children in the fiery furnace. This is often followed by the Aripsalin (ⲁⲣⲓ\'ⲯⲁⲗⲓⲛ — "Sing unto Him"), a Greek loanword (ⲯⲁⲗⲗⲱ) hymn of praise.
• The Fourth Hoos (Psalms 148, 149, 150): A continuous flow of praise involving all creation and the heavenly hosts.

2. The Commemoration of the Saints (ⲡⲓⲙⲉⲩⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ)

A long chant mentioning the Holy Theotokos, the Archangels, the Apostles, Martyrs, and Great Fathers. It is a vital part of our tradition to ask for their intercessions (ⲧⲉⲛⲧⲱⲃϩ).

3. The Doxologies (ⲛⲓⲇⲟⲕⲥⲟⲗⲟⲅⲓⲁ)

Specific hymns of praise for various saints and church seasons. Common ones include the Doxologies of St. Mary, Archangel Michael, and the Apostles.

4. The Theotokias (ⲛⲓⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲓⲁ)

These are deep theological contemplations on the Incarnation of the Word and the honor of the Virgin Mary as the Mother of God (ⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ). There is a specific Theotokia for each day of the week:

• The Sunday Theotokia is the localized peak of the week, containing famous parts like "Who can speak of the honor of the Virgin?" (ⲛⲓⲙ ⲡⲉⲧⲛⲁϣϫⲱ).

5. Specific Hymns and Refrains

• Ten-The-No (ⲧⲉⲛⲑⲏⲛⲟⲩ): "Arise, O children of the light," which begins the Midnight Praise.
• Lobatsh (ⲗⲟⲃϣ): The "Explanation" or concluding part of a Hoos or Theotokia (e.g., the Sunday Lobatsh "Seven times every day").
• Psali (ⲯⲁⲗⲓ): Poetic songs often arranged alphabetically in Coptic or Greek, dedicated to our Lord Jesus Christ or the Virgin Mary.

The preservation of these melodies relies on the oral and written tradition led by our master cantors. In our current era, Moalem Ibrahim Ayad, Moalem Gad Lewis, Moalem Zaher Andrawes, Moalem George Mikhail, Moalem Mina Makar, and Moalem Milad Nady are among the most respected figures in ensuring these hymns are chanted with precision and spiritual depth.