coptichymns.net :: Spiritual Library

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.

Introduction
- Long hymn for the last verse of the Fourth "Hos" (proper Coptic, "H-aw-s" ; Eng. "Canticle")
- Name derived from the fact most of the hymn focuses around the word "Alleluia" and that in the old rite, it used to be chanted in the evening (Ar. "3asr" or "'aasr"). It is suggested that the old custom was to say it only in Vespers Praises.
- It is an undocumented tune in most books; apart from modern Kiahk 7/4 Praises' Books which clearly states above this verse: "To be chanted in its known tune".
- The only well known source of this hymn is Mu'allim Tawfik of the Muharraq monastery in Asyut.
Teachings
- Teaching I
  - Chanted only in Kiahk and Great Lent.
- Teaching II
  - Chanted anytime during the year, not exclusive to any fast, feast or specific period of the church calendar.
Hymnological Explanation
- This hymn is composed of:
  - A long part of Hwc `erof from the last verse of the Midnight Praises 3rd Canticle, and then
  - Two small parts of the long mournful hymn Agioc from Great Friday, and then
  - Two small parts annual Praxis reply <ere ne Maria and then
  - The same part of Hwc `erof is said again, and then
  - The phrase Piwou Va in the text is chanted like the long Midnight Praises 3rd Canticle hymn Arihouo {acf, and finally
  - The ending borrows from the the introductory long psalm tune for Bright Saturday Anok pe pikouji