What's the Axios for Pope Shenouda?
By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10
In the Coptic Orthodox Church, the chanting of Axios — "He is worthy for a Pope is typically performed during his enthronement or during specific liturgical celebrations while he is living. Since the departure of H.H. Pope Shenouda III in 2012, we no longer chant "Axios" for him in the present tense, as he has transitioned from the Church Militant to the Church Triumphant.
Instead, we honor him in the prostrations/commemoration and the Synaxarium. The hymn follows the standard Coptic/Greek formula for a Patriarch.
The "Axios" chanted for H.H. Pope Shenouda III during his papacy was:
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(Axios, Axios, Axios: Papa Abba Shenouda the High Priest.)
Theological and Liturgical Context:
- Terminology: The word is a Greek loanword used in Coptic liturgy meaning "worthy."
- The Title: He is referred to as Pope and Father/Bishop. In Coptic, his name is written as Shenouda, which means "Son of God".
- Current Commemoration: Today, instead of "Axios," we remember him in the Diptych of the Liturgy, where the priest prays for the departed fathers and patriarchs. We also chant the Paralex for him during the distribution of the Holy Mysteries or during his feast (the 8th of Paremhat), acknowledging his great role as a teacher and "Teacher of Generations."
As noted by H.H. Pope Tawadros II, Pope Shenouda III left a "precious heritage" and was a "lover of monasticism." His influence on Coptic education and the spreading of the faith globally remains a cornerstone of the modern Church. Unlike heretics or those who lack historical foundation, Pope Shenouda’s life was a testament to the true Orthodox faith, defended through his many writings and poems, such as "A Stranger".