DEFINITION OF WORDS
Mentioned in the Introduction
COPTIC CALENDAR: a valuable relic of the Pharaohs, evidencing the high level they attained in sciences. The Egyptians were the first to construct a solar calendar. They first formed a solar year of twelve months of thirty days each, plus one small month comprising five days only. Their year usually occurred at the beginning of the Nile flood season. The present Coptic calendar year started on the 29th August of 284 AD., during reign of Diocletian, the acute time of Coptic Christian Martyrdom. (Coptic Egypt, Dr. Murad Kamil, 1968).
THE HOLY PSALMODY BOOK: the book which contains the praises for Vespers, Matins, and the different occasions of the Coptic Orthodox Church throughout the year.
The word Psahnody is derived from Psalms, which are the main body of poems in scripture, and were given (with Job and Proverbs) a distintinctive system of accents. psalms 1-72, Derek Kidner- D.J Wiseman, 1973).
CANTICLES (Hoos, Ode): is a hymn or praise. There are four Canticles in the Book of ;Psalmody, these are; The First, Second, Third and Fourth Canticles.
The First Canticle is the praise or hymn of Moses the Prophet after crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 15), referring to the believers who were baptized and were separated from the devil (Pharaoh and his soldiers).
The Second Canticle is thanking God for His mighty acts, for He is good and His mercy is forever (Psalm 135), for God supports us in our journey in this world, by feeding us his Body and Blood, and guide us by His Holy Spirit.
the Third Canticle is the praise of the three young men[from the Deutrocanonical books] encouraging us to be victorious by the power of the Cross. Temptations and tribulations are necessary and inevitable in this world, but God in the midst of the Church and with everyone of us, we need not worry, for He is able to change and transform the heat of fire into cool dew, for the gates of Hades shall not prevail over the Church.
The Fourth Canticle is a collection of the last three Psalms, namely; 148, 149, and 150. in this Canticle the Church is urging and motivating the whole creation to praise God a new song, in a harmonious way, singing and chanting to the Holy One, the Lord God, saying; Alleluia.
PSALL: verses from the Book of Psalms, which are put in the Coptic Alphabetical order, were every verse concludes by the name ‘Jesus’ or ‘Jesus Christ my good Savior’, thus, conversing with the Lord in a sweet and uplifting dialogue.
There is one Psali for every day of the week.
There are also Psali’s for the different occasions around the year, prayed accordingly.
THEOTOKIA: the word is of Greek origin; Theo, means God, Tokos, means Mother, thus the word is Mother of God. In the Theotokia, we praise, magnify and glorify holy Saint Mary, as Mother of the True God, whom she bore in her womb for nine months and then gave birth to Him, Who is God the Logos.
There are seven Theotokia’s, one for every day of the week.
The Theotokia concludes by an Exposition called Lobs/a, which is a summary for the Theotokia of the day, sung in the tone and tune of the Church occasion.
VERSES OF CYMBALS: these are verses sung after the Thanksgiving Prayer is prayed in Vespers and Matins, with the cymbals. In these verses we are glorifying the Holy Trimly, and praising Saint Mary, along with the angels, apostles, martyrs, and saints, while the Priest is circulating the Altar and offering incense, as is mentioned in the Book of Revelation (Rev. 5:8).
DOXOLOGY: originating from the Greek word, Doxa, meaning glory. The Doxologies glorify God in the life of the saints, who were a flexible tool in the Hands of the Mighty God, to accomplish His divine plan for mankind at large.
THE KIAHK’S ODE
الهوس الكيهكي
O sing unto the Lord a new song, sing unto the Lord all the earth. Declare among the heathen His glory, and among all people His wonders. For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised. He is to be feared above all gods. Alleluia.
I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord, the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his Name together. Alleluia.
You dwell between the Cherubim, shine forth. Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up Your strength, and come and save us. Turn us again, 0 God, and cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved. Alleluia.
He bowed the heavens also, and came down, and darkness was under His feet, and
He rode upon a Cherub, and did fly; yes, He did fly upon the wings of the wind.
He made darkness His secret place: His pavilion round about him. Alleluia.
The wings of a dove are covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.
When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was as white as snow in Salmon.
Alleluia.
The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan, a high hill as the hill of Bashan. Why leap you, you high hills? This is the hill which God desires to dwell in, you, the Lord will dwell in it for ever. Alleluia.
At Your right hand stood the queen, arrayed in vesture of unwoven gold, adorned in varied colors. Alleluia.
Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline your ear, and forget your own people and Your father’s house. And the king shall greatly desire your beauty, for He Himself is your Lord. Alleluia.
All the glory of the daughter of the king is within, with gold-ringed garments is she arrayed, adorned in varied colors. The virgins that follow after her brought unto You. They shall be brought with gladness and rejoicing, they shall be brought into the temple of the King .Alleluia.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the City of our God, in the Mountain of His Holiness. Beautiful is its situation, the joy of the whole earth, in mount Zion, on the sides of the north the City of the great King. Alleluia.
His foundation is in the holy mountains. The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of You, O city of God. Alleluia.
And of Zion it shall be said: This and that man was born in her, and the Highest Himself established her. Alleluia.
The angel of the Lord encamps round about them that fear Him, and delivers them. O taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man that trusts in Him Alleluia.
Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flaming fire. Alleluia.
Who makes the clouds His chariot, Who walks upon the wings of the wind Alleluia.
Bless the Lord, you His angels, that excel in strength, that do His commandments
Bless you the Lord, all His hosts, you ministers of His, that do His pleasure Alleluia.
Before the angels I will praise, I will worship Your holy temple. Alleluia.
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His great won Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night shows knowledge. There is no speech nor language. Alleluia.
Where their voice is not heard, their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. Alleluia.
The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it, The King of armies is the beloved. AIleluia.
Give thanks unto the Lord; call upon His Name; make known His deeds among the people; talk you of all His wondrous works. Glory you in His Holy Name. Alleluia.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. O Lord, I am Your servant, and the son of your handmaid: You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of You O Jerusalem. Alleluia.
God is greatly to be feared in the assembly. of the saints. He is the God of Israel He will give strength unto His people. Let the righteous be glad; let them rejoic before God; yes let them exceedingly rejoice before God; yes let them exceedingl rejoice. Blessed be the Lord GOd. Alleluia.
Gird your sword upon your thigh, O most mighty. With Your glory and You majesty ride prosperously. Alleluia.
You shall tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the dragon shall You trample under feet. Because he has set His love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high because he has known my name. Alleluia.
The salvation of the righteous is of the Lord’s. He is their strength in the time trouble. And the Lord shall help them and save them from the wicked, because the trust in Him. Alleluia.
Let the righteous rejoice with joy. They cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distress. Alleluia.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him out of them .
He keeps all his bones: not one of them is broken. Alleluia.
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of his Holiness. Alleluia.
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. Alleluia.
The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. Alleluia.
Your saints shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom, and talk of Your power. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear Him. He also will hear their cry, and will save them. The Lord preserves all them that love Him: but all the wicked will He destroy. Alleluia.
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, you righteous, and shout for joy, all you that are upright in heart. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto You in a time when You may be found. Alleluia.
O remember not against us former iniquities, let Your tender mercies speedily protect us: for we are brought very low. Alleluia.
Let them exalt him in the congregation of the people, and praise Him in the assembly of men; and make Him families like a flock. The righteous shall see it, and rejoice. Alleluia.
The Lord has sworn, and will not repent. You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Alleluia.
God be merciful unto us, and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us. Alleluia.
Save Your people, and bless Your inheritance, feed them also, and lift them up for ever. Alleluia.
Let the wise memorize this and understand the mercies of God. Alleluia.
AMEN ALLELUIA
أمين الليلويا
Agios O Theos: Agios Yes-sheros:
Agios Athanatos: Amen Alleluia.
Holy God Holy: Mighty in His glory:
Holy is the living God: Amen Alleluia
The help of the Mighty God: The great Lord of lords:
I’ll explain the meaning of: Amen Alleluia
How beautiful is its meaning: There is none but our God:
We praise Him high in His heaven: Amen Alleluia
Michael and Gabriel: Raphael and Suriel:
All praising Him saying: Amen Alleluia
The heavenly Cherubim: And the mighty Seraphim:
They too glorify Him : Amen Alleluia
Heavenly hosts of light: And all the spiritual ranks:
Continuously praise Him: Amen Alleluia
Myriads of myriads: Ranks around the Throne:
Proclaiming before the Lord: Amen Alleluia
The four living creatures: Around the Throne of God:
Pleading on our behalf: Amen Alleluia
The first is like a lion: A figure without body:
Bowing to the King of Zion: Amen Alleluia
The second is like a calf: A sign of sacrifice:
Proclaiming unceasingly: Amen Alleluia
The third is like an eagle: Soaring in the heavens:
Pleading before the Only-Begotten: Amen Alleluia
The fourth has a face of man: Asking forgiveness on our behalf:
Before the Lord our God: Amen Alleluia
A scene encountered with light: Praise God Who is seated:
Up above on His Throne: Amen Alleluia
Scenes with diversities: Seraphim with six wings:
Praising continuously: Amen Alleluia
The twenty-four elders (presbyters) : Priests of the high order:
To Him they surrender: Amen Alleluia
The stars and the orbits: Praise Him throughout the way:
Up high in the heavens: Amen Alleluia
Lucifer has become: Satan after his pride:
When he ceased to say: Amen Alleluia
Pitiful is the one who hears it: In the midst of the congregation:
And does not sing it: Amen Alleluia
Hymns and praises: Songs to be sang:
We cry out saying: Amen Alleluia
Alleluia is glorification; For a Mighty Lord:
Its unique and great memorial: Amen Alleluia
Alleluia is pleasure: And it gives satisfaction:
To utter two thousands: Amen Alleluia
Alleluia is joy: And it’s a sweet language:
It saves from damage: Amen Alleluia
Alleluia is glorification: For a merciful God:
Who is generous for generations: Amen Alleluia
Alleluia is a hymn: A praise and rejoice:
And it’s the best choice: Amen Alleluia
Blessed is the Creator: Existence before the ages:
Filling all places: Amen Alleluia
Blessed is the Mighty: Unseen and incomprehensible:
He is adorable: Amen Alleluia
He created the waters: The fire and the earth’s ground:
He made it from void: Amen Alleluia
Blessed is the zealous Lord: Merciful and forgiving:
All deeds He is covering: Amen Alleluia
Purity for the righteous: Fulfilled by Alleluia: