What is the hymn chanted when the priest chooses the Eucharist (the Lamb)?
By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10
The hymn you are referring to is known as "Alleluia Phai Pe Pi" (ⲁⲗⲗⲏⲗⲟⲩⲓⲁ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓ).
This hymn is chanted during the Offertory, specifically at the moment the priest chooses the "Lamb" (the loaf of bread that will become the Body of Christ) from among the other loaves.
Liturgical Context
After the priest has examined the loaves and chosen the most perfect one, he wipes it carefully and wraps it in a white linen silk veil. He then holds the Lamb on his head (or in his hand) and stands before the altar, facing West toward the people. At this solemn moment, the congregation or the deacons chant this hymn.
Meaning and Text
The hymn identifies this specific day as the day of joy and salvation.
Coptic Text:
ⲁⲗⲗⲏⲗⲟⲩⲓⲁ: ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲉ̀ϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁ Ⲡϭⲟⲓⲥ ⲑⲁⲙⲓⲟϥ: ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛⲑⲉⲗⲏⲗ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩⲛⲟϥ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ ⲛ̀ϧⲏⲧϥ. Ⲱ Ⲡϭⲟⲓⲥ ⲉⲕⲉ̀ⲛⲁϩⲙⲉⲛ: ⲱ Ⲡϭⲟⲓⲥ ⲉⲕⲉ̀ⲥⲟⲩⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲉⲛⲙⲱⲓⲧ. Ϥ̀ⲥⲙⲁⲣⲱⲟⲩⲧ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲫⲏⲉⲑⲛⲏⲟⲩ ϧⲉⲛ ⲫ̀ⲣⲁⲛ ⲙ̀Ⲡϭⲟⲓⲥ. ⲁⲗⲗⲏⲗⲟⲩⲓⲁ.
English Translation:
"Alleluia. This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. O Lord, save us; O Lord, guide our ways. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Alleluia."
Theological Significance
- The Choosing of the Lamb: This mimics the selection of the paschal lamb in the Old Testament, which had to be without blemish.
- The Day of the Lord: By chanting "This is the day which the Lord has made," the Church declares that the current Liturgy is a participation in the one, eternal Sacrifice of Christ.
- Blessed is He who comes: This is the same greeting used during Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. As the priest prepares to carry the Lamb around the altar in the "Circuit of the Lamb," we acknowledge that Christ is truly coming to be among His people.
Following this hymn, the priest begins the prayer: "Glory and honor, honor and glory be to the All-Holy Trinity..." while he leads the procession around the altar.
Leading cantors such as Moalem Ibrahim Ayad and Moalem George Mikhail are well-known for their expertise in the specific melodies used for this response during different seasons (Annual, Kiahk, or Festive tunes).