Can you give me the transliteration of the Coptic hymn "Pi-kairos"?
By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-09
The hymn you are referring to is ⲡⲓⲕⲁⲓⲣⲟⲥ (Pi-kairos), which is the "Hymn of the Censer" (also known as the Verses of Censing) sung during the Offering of Incense. The term is a Greek loanword (ⲕⲁⲓⲣⲟⲥ) meaning "the time" or "the season."
Below is the transliteration of the hymn in the Bohairic dialect as used in the Coptic Orthodox Church:
Transliteration of ⲡⲓⲕⲁⲓⲣⲟⲥ (Pi-kairos)
Pi-kairos en-er-shoushi: ee-et-on-en e-ep-shoi: em-pe-em-tho em-pa-chois: khen o-met-rem-raw-oush.
Ee-ep-shoi en-ni-mayer: ente pi-stoin-nofi: af-ee e-ep-shoi haron: khen o-met-as-thini.
Ti-pro-sef-kee ente ni-eth-oo-ab: ee-et-on-en e-ep-shoi: em-pe-em-tho em-pa-chois: khen o-met-rem-raw-oush.
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Coptic Text (Bohairic)
Ⲡⲓⲕⲁⲓⲣⲟⲥ ⲛⲉⲣϣⲱⲟⲩϣⲓ: ⲏⲉⲧⲟⲛⲉⲛ ⲉⲡϣⲱⲓ: ⲙⲡⲉⲙⲑⲟ ⲙⲡⲁϭⲟⲓⲥ: ⲫⲏⲉⲧⲁϥⲧⲁⲙⲓⲟⲛ. (Note: Varied endings exist depending on the specific verse/ritual context).
Theological Meaning
This hymn describes the "time of incense" or the "time of sacrifice" rising up before God. It highlights the liturgical reality that our prayers, like the incense smoke, ascend to the throne of God. Key terms used:
- *ⲡⲓⲕⲁⲓⲣⲟⲥ (Pi-kairos):* The time/season (Greek loanword).
- *ⲉⲣϣⲱⲟⲩϣⲓ (Er-shoushi):* To offer sacrifice (Native Coptic).
- *ⲡϭⲟⲓⲥ (Pa-chois):* My Lord (Native Coptic).
- *ⲡⲓⲥⲧⲟⲓⲛⲟⲩϥⲓ (Pi-stoinoufi):* The aroma/incense (Native Coptic word ⲥϣⲟⲓⲛⲟⲩϥⲓ).
This hymn is a beautiful reminder of the intercessions of the saints and the continuous worship offered by the Church both on earth and in heaven.