When is the hymn of Etaven niskhai chanted?

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

The hymn Ⲉⲧⲁⲃⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲥϧⲁⲓ (Etaven niskhai – Since the writings) is a specialized hymn of the Coptic Orthodox Church. It is not an annual hymn; rather, it belongs to the specific seasonal rites associated with the Feast of the Cross and Palm Sunday.

According to the liturgical order (ⲧⲁⲝⲓⲥ) of the Coptic Orthodox Church, this hymn is chanted at the following times:

1. During the Procession of the Cross

It is chanted during the Morning Raising of Incense (Matins) on the two Feasts of the Cross:

• 17th of Thout: Commemorating the Consecration of the Church of the Holy Resurrection (Holy Sepulchre).
• 10th of Paremhotep: Commemorating the Discovery of the Holy Cross by Queen Helen.

During the procession, while the clergy and deacons circle the church with the Cross and the icons, this hymn is sung specifically at the 12th Station (the final station before the Sanctuary/Great Gate of the Iconostasis).

2. On Palm Sunday (ⲡⲓϣⲁⲓ ⲛte ⲛⲓⲃⲁⲓ)

The hymn is also chanted during the Procession of Palm Sunday during Matins. As on the Feast of the Cross, it is performed at the 12th Station, which is dedicated to the Cross and the entrance into the Sanctuary.

Theological and Liturgical Context

The hymn is a Greek-Coptic composition that reflects the "Joyful" (ⲫⲉⲣⲉϩ) tune of the Church.

• The Meaning: The title translates to "Since the writings..." and refers to the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies regarding the salvation of the world through the Cross.
• The Connection: It is paired with the Cross because the Coptic Church views Palm Sunday not merely as a royal entry, but as the King of Peace entering Jerusalem specifically to ascend the Cross.

Usage in the Rite

This hymn serves as a transition. As the procession concludes and the priest prepares to enter the Sanctuary to begin the Divine Liturgy, the congregation affirms through this hymn that all the "writings" (Scriptures) have been fulfilled in ⲓⲏⲥⲟⲩⲥ ⲡⲭⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ.

It is followed immediately by the response: Ⲉⲩⲗⲟⲅⲏⲙⲉⲛⲟⲥ (Evlogimenos – "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord").