Why do we chant the hymn of the 7 tunes?

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

The hymn often referred to as the "Hymn of the 7 Tunes" is ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ (Pimairomi — The Lover of Mankind). We chant this hymn specifically during the Liturgy of Joyous Saturday (the Apocalypse night).

Theologically and liturgically, we chant this hymn for several significant reasons rooted in Coptic Orthodox tradition:

1. The Transition of Joy

Joyous Saturday serves as the bridge between the grief of Great Friday and the glory of the Resurrection. The "7 Tunes" represent a unique liturgical transition. The hymn begins in the Mournful (Sad) tune, reflecting on the burial of Christ and the grief of the Church. As it progresses through seven distinct musical variations, it gradually shifts its melody until it concludes in the Joyful tune. This musically illustrates the transformation of our sorrow into joy, as Christ descended into Hades to shatter the bars of iron and release the captives.

2. The Universal Love of God

The title of the hymn, ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ (Pimairomi), means "The Lover of Mankind." We chant it to praise the Philanthropia (love for mankind) of God. The hymn reflects on how Christ, out of His infinite love, accepted the Cross and the burial to save the human race. By using seven tunes, the Church signifies the "perfection" (as 7 is the number of perfection in Holy Scripture) of God’s plan for our salvation.

3. The Symbolism of the Number Seven

In our Coptic tradition, the number seven is deeply symbolic:

• It reminds us of the Seven Apocalyptic Seals in the Book of Revelation, as the entire Book of Revelation is read during this night.
• It represents the Seven Days of Sharon (Creation), signifying that Christ is making all things new through His death and upcoming Resurrection.
• It honors the Seven Liturgical Orders and the completeness of the Church’s praise.

4. Preparation for the Resurrection

As we stand before the icon of the Burial of Christ (the Epitaphios), the changing tunes act as a "liturgical wake-up." They prepare the faithful to move from the quiet contemplation of the tomb toward the triumphant shout of the Resurrection.

The hymn is a masterpiece of Coptic hymnology, ensuring that the congregation understands that even while Christ is in the tomb according to the flesh, His divinity never parted from His humanity, and His victory over death is already beginning to shine through the melodies.