What special hymns are sung during the Apostles' Fast?

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

During the Apostles' Fast (ⲛⲏⲥⲧⲓⲁ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲁⲡⲟⲥⲧⲟⲗⲟⲥ), the Coptic Orthodox Church uses specific hymns that honor the mission, preaching, and martyrdom of the Holy Apostles.

1. The Hymn of the Apostles: ⲛⲓⲁⲡⲟⲥⲧⲟⲗⲟⲥ (Ni-apostolos)

This is the most famous hymn of the season. It is a long, melismatic (ⲗⲁⲇⲛ) hymn sung during the Distribution (Communion) or at the beginning of the Liturgy.

• Text: It honors the Apostles who preached the Gospel to the nations, teaching them the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

2. The Liturgy of the Waters (Lakkan) Hymns

Since the Apostles' Fast concludes with the Feast of the Apostles (5th of Abib), the Church performs the Liturgy of the Waters (ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲕⲁⲛ). Special hymns for this service include:

• *ⲟⲛⲧⲱⲥ (Ontos): This is the response to the Pauline Epistle. It declares: "Truly their voice has gone out into all the earth."*
• *ⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ (Agios):* A specific, mournful yet majestic melody of the Trisagion is used during the Lakkan.
• The Psali of the Lakkan: A specific joyful chant sung during the service of the water.

3. The Acts Response (Ⲫⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲓⲱⲓⲕ — Shere Pi-oik)

During the Liturgy, the Acts Response changes to reflect the feast. For the Apostles, we say:

• "ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲁ ϭⲟⲓⲥ ⲛⲓⲟϯ ⲛⲁⲡⲟⲥⲧⲟⲗⲟⲥ..." (Hail to my lords the fathers the Apostles...)

This honors the specific work of the Apostles described in the Book of Acts.

4. The Hitens (Intercessions)

In the Hiten Ni-presvia (Through the intercessions), we add specific verses for:

• St. Peter and St. Paul: The "Chiefs of the Apostles."
• The Rest of the Disciples: To ask for their prayers for the forgiveness of our sins.

5. Aspasmos (Adam and Watos)

There are specific Aspasmos Adam and Aspasmos Watos (Reconciliation hymns) for the Feast of the Apostles. They focus on the peace that the Apostles brought to the world through the Gospel of Christ.

6. The Communion Hymn: ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ (Pi-mai-romi)

In many traditions, particularly during the fast, the hymn ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ (The Lover of Mankind) is sung. While not exclusive to the Apostles, its contemplative tune fits the fasting period perfectly.

7. Hymn for St. Paul (ⲡⲁⲩⲗⲟⲥ ⲡⲓⲁⲡⲟⲥⲧⲟⲗⲟⲥ)

A specific hymn for St. Paul is often chanted, acknowledging his extensive travels and letters (Epistles) provided to the Church.

These hymns are preserved and taught by our great cantors like Moalem Ibrahim Ayad and Moalem George Mikhail. Moalem George Mikhail, in particular, emphasizes the St. Didymus curricula, which ensure these specific seasonal melodies are not lost and are sung with the correct ecclesiastical spirit.