Coptic Orthodox Spiritual Library

The coptichymns.net Spiritual Library features hundreds of articles on Coptic Orthodoxy, spirituality, Coptic hymns, stories of the saints and desert fathers, and more.

 
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Alleluia El Asr

by Andrew Halim, Ramez Mikhail, Mina Demian, and Paul Samaan
Explanation of the hymn known as Al El Asr, which is the long "Alleluia Piou..." at the end of the Fourth Ode.
 

Alleluia El Qorban

by Andrew Halim, Ramez Mikhail, Mina Demian, and Paul Samaan
This entry explains the issues surround the hymn "Alleluia El Qorban," chanted at the beginning of Holy Liturgies in its season.
 

Apaheet nem Palaas (Psali on the Second Ode).

by Ramez Mikhail
Text for the Kiahk Psali on the Third Ode.
 

Arabic Resurrection "Ya Kulli Sufoof" in Coptic

by Joseph Sedrak
This is the Coptic text for the Arabic poem chanted on the Feast of the Glorious Resurrection and the Holy Fifty Days thereafter.
 

Clarification on the Tunes of the 1st and 2nd Midnight Praise Canticle Explanations

by Paul Samaan
When to say which tune...
 

Concluding Canon for Jonah's Fast

by Paul Samaan
Please note: As of February 2004, the authenticity and legitimacy of this canon is generally unknown, with no major cantors or authorities advocating the use of this canon. Do not chant it in your church unless it is approved by the Holy Synod or some...
 

Contemplations on the Hymn of the Cross, Fai Etafenf

by Mena Rizkalla
This article features contemplations and meditations on the hymn of the Cross, Fai Etafenf, which is chanted on the Feasts of the Cross, Great Thursday, and Good Friday.
 

Coptic Liturgy of Saint Basil

by The Church
The Liturgy of our Father Among the Saints: Basil, according to the Rites of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
 

Doxology for Saint Athanasius the Apostolic

by David Kaldas
Coptic and English Doxology of Saint Athanasius the Apostolic
 

Doxology for Saint John the Beloved

by George Mekhaiel
Doxology Text in Coptic for Saint John the Beloved
 

Doxology for Saint Mark, Beholder of God

by Administrators
A doxology for St. Mark, the Evangelist and Martyr.
 

Doxology for Saint Moses the Black

by George Mekhaiel
This is the text in English for the Doxology of Saint Moses the Black
 

Doxology to Saint Abanoub

by Paul Samaan
The doxology for Saint Abanoub as published by his church in Samanoud, Egypt.
 

Doxology to Saint Phoebe, Disciple of Saint Paul

by Paul Samaan
Saint Phoebe was a deaconess of the Church at Cenchreae, the port of Corinth and a disciple of Saint Paul the Apostle. This Coptic doxology may chanted on her feast day or any time.
 

Doxology to St. Takla

by Paul Samaan
English text for the Doxology to St. Takla.
 

Doxology to the Pure Apostles

by George Mekhaiel
This is the common doxology to the Pure Apostles and Holy Disciples.
 

Feast of Nayrouz

by Paul Samaan (Fr. Moses Samaan).
A short article outlining the basics of the Feast of Nayrouz (Coptic New Year.)
 

Feast of the Cross

by Paul Samaan
A short article outlining the basics of the Feast of the Cross.
 

Feast of the Resurrection Hymns Pamphlet

by Saint Mark's COC, Boston, MA
Written by St. Mark COC in Boston, MA and contributed by Sherif Hanna (Theophilos)
 

Festal Hymns

by Mina Demian
There is confusion and controversy over the following hymns. Usually they are prayed during festal times. In the following entry, the correct occasions are stated for each hymn...
 

Fraction Prayers

by The Church
Various Fraction Prayers of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
 

Great Kiahk Ode

by Ramez Mikhail
The text for the Great Kiahk Ode.
 

How to Benefit from the Holy Liturgy

by H.G. Bishop Mettaous
In our Coptic Church, the Holy Liturgy, in her essence of group prayer and worship, is the house of God and the door of heaven, the house of angels and the congregation of the saints. How do we spiritually gain from the Liturgy?
 

Hymn of the Cross: Fai Etafenf

by Andrew Halim, Ramez Mikhail, Mina Demian, and Paul Samaan
This entry describes the hymn Fai Etafenf for the Holy Pascha and Feasts of the Cross.
 

Hymn of the Intercessions

by Ramez Mikhail
This is an explanation of the different tunes for the first verse of the hymn of the intercessions "Hiten Nipresvia".
 

Introduction to the Rites of the Church

by Pre-Theology Certification Curriculum
This article offers an introduction to Ritual Theology, which is the study of rites in the church. The sources of rites and their utility are discussed with clear examples for all who read.
 

Khouri Episkopos

by Ramez Mikhail
This article explains the rank of Khouri Episkopos and its history in the church.
 

Liturgy of the Offering

by Mina Demian
This article discusses the Liturgy of the Offering and its rites.
 

Liturgy of the Word

by Mina Demian
An explanation and analysis of the rites of the Liturgy of the Word...
 

Marouchasf

by Ramez Mikhail
This page provides the text as well as an explanation of the different tunes for the Psalm excerpts (a.k.a Tawaaf) that is chanted after the Gospel Psalm in presence of Popes, Metroplitans or Bishops.
 

O the Heavenly Hosts

by Joseph Sedrak
O the Heavenly Hosts (Ya Kulli Sefoof)
 

Omonogenees

by Mena Rizkalla
A spiritual and historical study of this Paschal hymn.
 

Omonogenis (O Only Begotten)

by John Greiss
The hymn chanted on Great Friday of the Holy Pascha.
 

Pamphlet for Feast of the Nativity Hymns

by Saint Mark's COC, Boston, MA
Download a PDF containing complete hymns for the Feast of the Nativity.
 

Part 1: An Overview of the History of the Liturgy

by Ramez Mikhail
This article is an introduction the the history of the Liturgy according to St.Mark, also known as St.Cyril's liturgy.
 

Part 2: Introduction to the Tunes of the Liturgy according to Saint Mark

by Ramez Mikhail
This article provides a background on the hymns of the Cyrillian Liturgy and an introduction to a further study of the recordings of these hymns.
 

Part 3: The Prayer of Reconciliation

by Ramez Mikhail
This Article closely examines the prayer of Reconciliation and the validity of its tune.
 

Part 4: The Beginning of the Anaphora to the Litanies

by Ramez Mikhail
This article discusses a number of key points in the Cyrillian Liturgy from the Beginning of the Anaphora to the Litanies.
 

Part 5: The First Litanies to the Commemoration of Saintscc

by Ramez Mikhail
This Article addresses the first litanies before the commemoration of Saints.
 

Pi`pneuma `mparaklyton

by Paul Samaan
This hymn is chanted on the Feast of Pentecost and during Crowning Ceremonies (weddings.)
 

Praising, the Work of Angels

by Albair Gamal Mikhail
A short article by HCOC Director, Albair, on the spirituality of praising in the Church.
 

Prayer for Burial

by The Church
Also includes memorial Liturgy lections.
 

Prayers after a Person's Reposal

by The Church
These include prayers to be said one month, six months, and one year after a person's departure, as well as the Prayers of the "Lifting of the Mat"(prayers said on the third day after a person's reposal).
 

Prayers at the Burial of a Bishop

by The Church
 

Prayers at the Burial of a Deacon

by The Church
 

Prayers at the Burial of a Monk

by The Church
 

Prayers at the Burial of a Nun

by The Church
 

Presence of the Fathers

by Administrators
This entry discusses the rites for hymns to be chanted in the presence of the Pope or a bishop.
 

Prostrations after Communion

by Ramez Mikhail
This article explains the proper Church teaching concerning prostrations after taking Communion.
 

Psali Batos for Palm Sunday

by Church Prayers
Blow the trumpet in the new moons : with the sound of the trumpet: in the day of your feasts: for this is a command of God. Loose from your mind (heart) the thoughts of darkness: And the envy, and the senselessness: And all guile and the deceit....