What special hymns are said today?

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

Today is Tuesday, February 25, 2025, which, according to the Coptic Calendar, is Mechir 18, 1741.

Because this day falls on a weekday during the Great Fast (Great Lent), the hymns and liturgical services follow the specific rites of Lent, which are characterized by a spirit of deep repentance and prolonged prayer.

1. Great Lent Hymnology

During the Great Fast, the Church transitions into a solemn and meditative tone:

• ⲁⲗⲗⲏⲗⲟⲩⲓⲁ ⲉ̀ⲃⲱⲗ (The "Lenten" Alleluia): This specific melody is used during the distribution of the Host and in various parts of the liturgy.
• ⲛⲓⲛⲏⲥⲧⲓⲁ (The Fasts): This is the hymn of the censing of the Pauline Epistle, which emphasizes that fasting and prayer are what the prophets and apostles used to conquer and please God.
• ⲙⲉⲅⲁⲗⲟⲩ (Megalou): A specific hymn for the Great Fast sung before the Gospel.

2. The Commemoration of the Saints

Today, the Coptic Synaxarium commemorates:

• The Martyrdom of St. Melitios of Antioch: A prominent bishop and defender of the faith who presided over the Second Ecumenical Council (Constantinople).
• The Martyrdom of St. Victor, St. Mina, and St. Vincent.

Because we are in Great Lent, the hymns for these saints are usually integrated into the Doxologies (ⲛⲓⲇⲟⲝⲟⲗⲟⲅⲓⲁ) during the Resurrection (Matins) or Vespers prayers.

3. Special Doxologies and Responses

The introductory and concluding parts of the Doxologies remain constant, but the content changes by the season:

• Introduction to the Doxologies: Ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲉ ⲧⲉⲛϯϩⲟ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟ ("Hail to you, we entreat you..."). This hymn asks for the intercession of the Virgin Mary, the ⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ, for the forgiveness of our sins.
• Lenten Doxology for the Theotokos: During this season, we chant the specific Lenten Doxology for St. Mary, which often includes the verse: ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲧⲉⲛϭⲓⲥⲓ ⲙⲙⲟ ⲁⲝⲓⲱⲥ... ("Wherefore we exalt you worthily with prophetic hymnology...").
• Lenten Gospel Response: The response changes to "Blessed are those who have mercy and give to the poor, for mercy shall be found upon them on the day of judgment."

4. Prostration (Metanoias)

On weekdays of Great Lent, the Church practices ⲙⲉⲧⲁⲛⲟⲓⲁ (metanoias), or prostrations, during the various hours of the Agpeya and during the prayer of the Efnoty Nai Nan (ⲫⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ — "God have mercy on us").

If you are attending the Divine Liturgy today, it is served late in the afternoon (a "Late Liturgy"), as is the custom for fasting days during the Great Fast, ending at sunset.