Is “O nim nai” the hymn said during the Resurrection?

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

In the Coptic Orthodox tradition, the hymn Ⲱ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲛⲁⲓ (O nim nai — "Who are these?") is chanted during the Procession of the Resurrection (ⲡⲓⲡ̀ⲣⲟⲥⲫⲱⲛⲏⲥⲓⲥ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲁ̀ⲛⲁⲥⲧⲁⲥⲓⲥ).

While this hymn is also used during the Veneration of the Saints, its placement during the Resurrection season (from the Feast of the Resurrection until Pentecost) carries a distinct theological significance. As the clergy and deacons process through the church with the icon of the Resurrection, we ask, "Who are these?" referring to the heavenly hosts and the redeemed saints who rejoice in the victory of ⲓⲏⲥⲟⲩⲥ ⲡⲭⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ (Jesus Christ) over death.

The text for this specific occasion is as follows:

Ⲱ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲛⲁⲓ (Bohairic)

Ⲱ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲉⲧⲉⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲟⲩⲱⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲱⲟⲩ: ⲉⲩⲫⲟⲣⲓ ⲉ̀ⲡ̀ϣⲱⲓ ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲏϯ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲥⲓⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ϣⲱⲣⲡ: ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲉ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲁⲩⲣⲁⲛⲁϥ ⲙ̀ⲡ̀ϭⲟⲓⲥ: ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲟⲩⲙⲉⲧⲁⲥⲕⲏⲧⲏⲥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲟⲩⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ.

ⲁⲗⲗⲏⲗⲟⲩⲓⲁ: ⲁⲗⲗⲏⲗⲟⲩⲓⲁ: ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲉ ⲛⲓⲗⲁⲙⲡⲁⲥ ⲉⲧⲉⲣⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ϯⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ: ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲥⲟⲩⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲩⲃ ⲉⲧⲉⲣⲥ̀ⲑⲟⲓⲛⲟⲩϥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲙ̀ⲑⲟ ⲙ̀Ⲡ̀ⲁⲛⲧⲟⲕⲣⲁⲧⲱⲣ.

Translation:

Who are these who have such glory: rising up like the morning star? These are the saints who have pleased the Lord: through their asceticism and their martyrdom.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah: these are the lamps that shine in the Church: and the golden censers that offer a sweet aroma before the Almighty.

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Theological Significance in the Resurrection

From the Coptic Orthodox perspective, the Resurrection of Christ is not merely a historical event for Him alone; it is the opening of the gates of Paradise for all humanity.

1. The Morning Star: Building on the language of the Fathers, Christ is the "Sun of Righteousness," and the saints are the "morning stars" who derive their light from Him. When we chant this during the Resurrection, we are identifying the "cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1) who now share in His eternal glory.
2. Asceticism and Martyrdom: The hymn highlights these two paths (ⲙⲉⲧⲁⲥⲕⲏⲧⲏⲥ/asceticism and ⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ/martyrdom) as the means by which the saints participated in the Cross of Christ to reach His Resurrection.
3. Lamps and Censers: The ⲗⲁⲙⲡⲁⲥ (Greek: lampas) and ⲥⲟⲩⲣⲓ (Bohairic: censer) symbolize the perpetual intercession of the saints in the heavenly liturgy, which is mirrored in our earthly liturgy during the Resurrection season.

To hear the majestic and traditional tune of this hymn as it is chanted in the presence of the Pope or during major feasts, you should refer to the recordings of our great masters of the oral tradition: Moalem Ibrahim Ayad, Moalem Gad Lewis, Moalem George Mikhail, and Moalem Zaher Andrawes.