What are the major hymns sung during Holy Week in the Coptic Orthodox Church?

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Major Holy Week hymns in the Coptic Orthodox Church include Thok Te Ti-Gom, Pek-Ethronos, Golgotha, the mournful version of Tai Shouri, O-Monogenis, Ethve Tiano-Anni, and Kepertis. They express contemplation of Christ’s Passion and Crucifixion, moving toward anticipation of the Resurrection on Bright Saturday.

In the Coptic Orthodox Church, Holy Week (ⲡⲓⲉⲃⲇⲟⲙⲁⲥ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ—Pi-evdomas eth-owab) is the most sacred week of the year. The hymns reflect a transition from deep sorrow and contemplation of the Passion of ⲓⲏⲥⲟⲩⲥ ⲡⲭⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ (Jesus Christ) to the ultimate victory of the Resurrection. 1. Thok Te Ti-Gom (ⲑⲱⲕ ⲧⲉ ϯϫⲟⲙ) This is the anthem of Holy Pascha. It is chanted 12 times during every hour of the Pascha (morning and evening). It is a hymn of praise to the King of Kings while He is on His way to the Cross. - Translation: "Thine is the power, the glory, the blessing, and the majesty, forever, Amen. Emmanuel our God and our King..." - In Coptic: ⲑⲱⲕ ⲧⲉ ϯϫⲟⲙ: ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲱⲟⲩ: ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲥⲙⲟⲩ: ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲁⲙⲁϩⲓ: ϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ ⲁⲙⲏⲛ: Ⲉⲙⲙⲁⲛⲟⲩⲏⲗ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲡⲉⲛⲟⲩⲣⲟ... - At the Eleventh Hour of Tuesday, the phrase "My Lord Jesus Christ, my good Savior" is added, and on the Eve of Friday, "The Lord is my strength and my praise and has become my holy salvation" is added. 2. Pek-Ethronos (ⲡⲉⲕⲑⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ) Chanted on Good Friday during the 12th hour, this is one of the most solemn and melismatic (long) hymns in the Coptic Rite. It is taken from Psalm 45. - Translation: "Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom." - In Coptic: Ⲡⲉⲕⲑⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ ⲫⲛⲟⲩϯ ϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲉⲛⲉϩ... - ⲑⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ (throne) is a Greek loanword used in the Coptic text. 3. Golgotha (ⲕⲟⲗⲕⲟⲑⲁ) This hymn is chanted during the burial of Christ on Good Friday. It incorporates both Coptic and Greek, describing the events at the place of the skull. - Translation: "Golgotha in the Hebrew language is the Place of the Cranium where they crucified You, O Lord." - Significance: It is sung in a mournful melody that captures the gravity of the Crucifixion while maintaining the dignity of the Godhead. 4. Tai Shouri (ⲧⲁⲓϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ) — The Melancholy Version During the Liturgy of Covenant Thursday and the beginning of Good Friday, the standard "Annual" or "Kiahk" melodies of the censer hymn are replaced by the "Hazin" (Mournful) melody. - In Coptic: Ⲧⲁⲓϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲩⲃ ⲛ̀ⲕⲁⲑⲁⲣⲟⲥ... (This golden censer...). 5. O-Monogenis (Ⲟ-Ⲙⲟⲛⲟⲅⲉⲛⲏⲥ) This is a deep theological hymn sung on Good Friday afternoon. It is Greek in origin but central to Coptic liturgical life. - Theology: It strongly emphasizes our Miaphysite Christology—that the Only-Begotten Son, being immortal, accepted to die for our salvation without any change to His divinity. 6. Ethve Tiano-Anni (ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ϯⲁⲛⲟⲁⲛⲓ) This hymn is chanted during the morning of Bright Saturday (Joyous Saturday). - Significance: This marks the shift from sadness to the "Joyous" (ⲫⲁⲣⲉϩ) tone as the Church begins to anticipate the Resurrection, focusing on Christ descending into Hades to free the captives. 7. Kepertis (Ⲕⲉⲡⲉⲣⲧⲓⲥ) Used during the 12th hour of Good Friday, this Greek hymn asks for the intercession of the ⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ (Mother of God). --- Authority on These Hymns To ensure the correct delivery (oral tradition) and the nuances of the Paschal melodies, the following Moalemeen are the primary references: - Moalem Ibrahim Ayad - Moalem Gad Lewis - Moalem Zaher Andrawes - Moalem George Mikhail - Moalem Mina Makar - Moalem Milad Nady

What are the major hymns sung during Holy Week in the Coptic Orthodox Church?

1. Thok Te Ti-Gom (ⲑⲱⲕ ⲧⲉ ϯϫⲟⲙ)

2. Pek-Ethronos (ⲡⲉⲕⲑⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ)

3. Golgotha (ⲕⲟⲗⲕⲟⲑⲁ)

4. Tai Shouri (ⲧⲁⲓϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ) — The Melancholy Version

5. O-Monogenis (Ⲟ-Ⲙⲟⲛⲟⲅⲉⲛⲏⲥ)

6. Ethve Tiano-Anni (ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ϯⲁⲛⲟⲁⲛⲓ)

7. Kepertis (Ⲕⲉⲡⲉⲣⲧⲓⲥ)

Authority on These Hymns

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