We just finished the Feast of Saint Mary and had specific hymns for that during our liturgy. What fast or season is this now, and what hymns should I know?

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

Following the Feast of St. Mary (which concludes the 15-day fast on Mesore 16 / August 22), the Coptic Church enters a brief transition period before the Coptic New Year (Nayrouz), which begins on the 1st of Tout (September 11 or 12).

We are currently in the Season of the Waters (the flooding of the Nile), where we pray for the rising of the waters of the rivers. Shortly, we will enter the Feast of Nayrouz and the Feast of the Cross.

Here are the hymns you need to know for this upcoming season:

1. The Season of the Waters (Current Liturgical Petitions)

During the Liturgy, the litanies change based on the season. Following the Feast of St. Mary until the New Year, we continue to pray the Litany of the Waters.

• Deacon's Response: "Pray for the rising of the waters of the rivers this year, that Christ our Lord may bless them and raise them according to their measure, and give joy to the face of the earth..."
• Congregation: ⲕⲩⲣⲓⲉ ⲉⲗⲉⲏⲥⲟⲛ (Kyrie eleison).

2. The Feast of Nayrouz (Coptic New Year - 1st of Tout)

This is a joyous season where we celebrate the Feast of the Martyrs. The tunes change to the Joyous Tune. You should know:

• The Nayrouz Verses of Cymbals: A specific verse is added for the New Year: "Bless the crown of the year with Your goodness O Lord; the rivers, the springs, the plants and the fruits."
• The Nayrouz Doxology: This focuses on the blessing of the year and the honor of the martyrs who shed their blood for the Church.

3. The Feast of the Cross (17th of Tout)

Shortly after the New Year, we celebrate the Feast of the Cross. This feast is treated with the same joy as a Sunday, even if it falls on a Wednesday or Friday.

Key Hymns for the Cross:

• Processional Hymn (Paralex): The hymn "When the peaceful writings" (ⲉⲧⲁⲩⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲥⲭⲁⲓ ⲛⲉⲓⲣⲏⲛⲓⲕⲟⲛ / Etauen nishai neerinikon) is chanted.
• Coptic Text: ⲉⲧⲁⲩⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲥⲭⲁⲓ ⲛⲉⲓⲣⲏⲛⲓⲕⲟⲛ: ⲛⲧⲉ ⲕⲱⲥⲧⲁⲛⲧⲓⲛⲟⲥ ⲉϧⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲣⲁⲕⲟϯ: ϫⲉ ⲙⲁϣⲑⲁⲙ ⲙⲫⲣⲟ ⲛⲛⲓⲉⲣⲫⲉⲩⲓ: ⲁⲟⲩⲱⲛ ⲙⲫⲣⲟ ⲛⲛⲓⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ.
• Translation: "When the peaceful writings of Constantine reached Alexandria saying, 'Shut the gates of the heathen, and open the gates of the churches.'"
• The Psalm Response: You will use the Palm Sunday Tune for the Feast of the Cross.

Summary of What to Learn Now:

1. The Joyous Tune (used for Nayrouz and the Feast of the Cross).
2. The Response of the Gospel for the Feast of the Cross.
3. The Procession of the Cross, which involves specific verses for each of the 12 stations around the church.

If you would like the specific text for the Nayrouz Doxology or the Verses of Cymbals for the Cross, please let me know!