27/04/2024
The Rites and Order of
Hosanna (Palm) Sunday
Hosanna Sunday
On Hosanna Sunday, the Church experiences the Entrance of the Bridegroom into Jerusalem (The Church).
Several notable processions characterise the Rites of Hosanna Sunday:
The standard procession during vespers on Saturday night The Procession of the Cross during matins on Sunday morning
(including the 12 Gospels).
The Procession of the Lamb from ‘Bethlehem’ to the altar (Note: this procession now often starts from the rear main entrance of the church.)
All of these liturgical prayers are prayed using the festive tune and the Hosanna tune in their respective places. The Hymn of Evlogimenos (Ⲉⲩⲗⲟⲅⲓⲙⲉⲛⲟⲥ) is when the church praises her Bridegroom as “ the Son of David... the Highest… & the King of Israel” and is chanted for all the processions mentioned above. During the hymn, the church declares her Bridegroom as her King and celebrates His entrance to Jerusalem, alluding to the church’s final entrance into the heavenly Jerusalem, her celebration with the Saints and its eternal rejoicing with Christ
In the book of Revelations, a scene is seen by St John the beloved, where a heavenly procession takes place and those who celebrate are waving and using Hosanna leaves and olive branches. Our Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem riding on a c**t was an archetype of this heavenly eternal procession in the heavenly Jerusalem. The church here manifests to us this heavenly procession and allows us to celebrate with Him, while on Earth, through the rites handed down to us.
Hosanna Sunday Vespers
After the evening vespers, during the Bishop’s entrance into the Church, the congregation chants the hymn Evlogimenos “Ⲉⲩⲗⲟⲅⲓⲙⲉⲛⲟⲥ”. If the Bishop is not present, the priest, without a procession, opens the veil of the Altar and offers the raising of incense, noting the following:
The prayers are said in the festal tune, and the tunes of the doxologies and psalis in the Hosanna tune.
After opening the veil of the Altar and praying the Lord’s Prayer, “Khen Pekhristos” is sung in its joyful tune, and the prayer of thanksgiving is prayed.
The Verses of Cymbals are sung in their joyful tunes.
ⲕⲉ ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩⲱϣⲧ
Ⲭⲉⲣⲉ Ϯⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ
Ⲱ̀ⲥⲁⲛⲛⲁ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲏⲉⲧϭⲟⲥⲓ
Ⲫⲏⲉⲧϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ ϩⲓϫⲉⲛ Ⲛⲓⲭⲉⲣⲟⲩⲃⲓⲙ
Then for the patron saints of the church in the standard tune
And In the presence of a Bishop, the following is added:
Ⲧⲉⲛϯϩⲟ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲕ ⲱ̀ Ⲩⲓⲟⲥ Ⲑⲉⲟⲥ
Ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉϥⲕⲉϣ̀ⲫⲏⲣ ⲛ̀ⲗⲓⲧⲟⲩⲣⲅⲟⲥ
It is concluded with the following:
Ⲓⲏⲥⲟⲩⲥ Ⲡⲓⲭ̀ⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ⲥⲁϥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲫⲟⲟⲩ
Ⲡ̀ⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯϩⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ (until the end of the Ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩⲱϣⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲕ) … then “ϫⲉ ⲁⲕⲓ̀ ⲁⲕⲥⲱϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ.” is said.
The Litany of the Departed is prayed.
Graciously O Lord, keep this night without sin …
The Trisagion (in full) …
The Lord’s Prayer (Our Father who art in heaven …)
Introduction to the Doxologies … the last two verses are sung in the major Hosanna Sunday tune i.e. the melismatic hosanna tune used for psalm 150 during communion, “Ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲉ ⲱ̀ Ϯⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ” and “Ⲧⲉⲛϯϩⲟ ⲁ̀ⲣⲓⲡⲉⲛⲙⲉⲩⲓ” – the verses of doxologies are said in the shorter Hosana.
The three doxologies and two venerations may be chanted.
It is also possible to say the Praises of Hosanna Sunday: "Today the words were fulfilled" - and the Praises of the One who sits above the Cherubim...
We honour you, Mother of True Light …
The Orthodox Creed, and the part “Ⲧⲉⲛϫⲟⲩϣⲧ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ” is sung in the Hosanna Sunday tune.
The priest prays “Ⲫ̀ⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ” while holding the cross and three candles.
The Congregation sings “Ⲁ̀ⲙⲏⲛ Ⲕⲩⲣⲓⲉ ⲉ̀ⲗⲉⲏ̀ⲥⲟⲛ” in the major tune three times.
The hymn “Evlogimenos” is chanted while processing around the church.
The procession begins in the altar area – three times inside the Altar, and three times in the Church, followed by one procession inside the Altar; then the priest offers incense in front of the icon of the entrance into Jerusalem.
The Introduction to the Commentary “Ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩⲱϣⲧ” is said in the joyful tune.
The Watos Commentary is read at the Bible stand (Mangaleya), and whenever the priest says, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’, the congregation responds while chanting in the Hosanna tune: Hosanna in the highest, this is the King of Israel, Blessed is He who comes in the name, of the Lord of hosts.”.
The Priest prays the litany of the Gospel.
The Psalm is sung in the syngary tune (major & minor) … and the Psalm trailer is sung in the joyful shortened tune.
The Deacon says “Ⲥ̀ⲧⲁⲑⲏⲧⲉ ⲙⲉⲧⲁ ⲫⲟⲃⲟⲩ Ⲑⲉⲟⲩ” … and the Gospel is read in Coptic and the vernacular. A sermon may be given.
Response to the Gospel “Ⲭⲉⲣⲉ Ⲗⲁⲍⲁⲣⲟⲥ ⲫⲏⲉ̀ⲧⲁϥⲧⲟⲩⲛⲟⲥϥ…”.
The Priest prays the five short litanies.
The Lord’s Prayer is prayed – and “Ϧⲉⲛ Ⲡⲓⲭ̀ⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ Ⲓⲏⲥⲟⲩⲥ Ⲡⲉⲛϭⲟⲓⲥ” and “Ⲧⲁⲥ ⲕⲉⲫⲁⲗⲁⲥ ⲩ̀ⲙⲱⲛ” are chanted.
The Priest prays the three absolutions.
The Deacon concludes with the Concluding Canon and the hymn “Ⲣⲁϣⲓ ⲟⲩⲛⲟϥ Ⲥⲓⲱⲛ ϯⲃⲁⲕⲓ …. Rejoice and be glad O city of Zion”.
The Priest concludes with the blessing and dismisses the congregation.
Raising of Morning Incense on Hosanna Sunday
After the Midnight Prayer, the Midnight Praises, the Matins Psalms, and the Morning Praises:
The Priest opens the veil of the Altar and prays the Thanksgiving Prayer as usual.
The congregation prays the Verses of Cymbals in the joyful tune.
Ⲕⲩⲣⲓⲉ ⲉ̀ⲗⲉⲏ̀ⲥⲟⲛ: Ⲁ̀ⲙⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛⲟⲩⲱϣⲧ
Ⲁ̀ⲛⲟⲛ ϧⲁ ⲛⲓⲗⲁⲟⲥ...
Ⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲟⲩϩⲉⲗⲡⲓⲥ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁⲛ...
Ⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲧⲥⲉⲙⲛⲟⲥ...
The Verses for Hosanna Sunday are chanted
Ⲱ̀ⲥⲁⲛⲛⲁ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲏⲉⲧϭⲟⲥⲓ
Ⲫⲏⲉⲧϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ ϩⲓϫⲉⲛ Ⲛⲓⲭⲉⲣⲟⲩⲃⲓⲙ
Then following verses are chanted in the standard tune:
Ⲭⲉⲣⲉ Ϯⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ
Ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲉ Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ: ϯϭⲣⲟⲙⲡⲓ ⲉⲑⲛⲉⲥⲱⲥ:
Ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲉ Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ: ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲉϥⲟⲩⲁⲃ
Ⲭⲉⲣⲉ Ⲙⲓⲭⲁⲏⲗ: ⲡⲓⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛ̀ⲁⲣⲭⲏⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ
Ⲭⲉⲣⲉ Ⲛⲓⲭⲉⲣⲟⲩⲃⲓⲙ: ⲭⲉⲣⲉ Ⲛⲓⲥⲉⲣⲁⲫⲓⲙ
Ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲱ̀ ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ
In the presence of a Bishop, the following is added:
Ⲧⲉⲛϯϩⲟ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲕ ⲱ̀ Ⲩⲓⲟⲥ Ⲑⲉⲟⲥ
Ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉϥⲕⲉϣ̀ⲫⲏⲣ ⲛ̀ⲗⲓⲧⲟⲩⲣⲅⲟⲥ
It is concluded with the following:
Ⲓⲏⲥⲟⲩⲥ Ⲡⲓⲭ̀ⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ⲥⲁϥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲫⲟⲟⲩ
Ⲡ̀ⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯϩⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ (until the end of the Ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩⲱϣⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲕ) … then “ϫⲉ ⲁⲕⲓ̀ ⲁⲕⲥⲱϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ.” is said.
The litany of the Sick and oblations are prayed. The long (festal) tune may be used for the Litany of the Oblations.
The Gloria: "Let us praise with the angels, saying..."The Trisagion (in full) …
The Lord’s Prayer (Our Father who art in heaven …)
Introduction to the Doxologies … the last two verses are sung in the major Hosanna Sunday tune i.e. the melismatic Hosanna tune used for Psalm 150 during communion, “Ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲉ ⲱ̀ Ϯⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ” and “Ⲧⲉⲛϯϩⲟ ⲁ̀ⲣⲓⲡⲉⲛⲙⲉⲩⲓ” – the verses of doxologies are said in the shorter Hosana.
The three doxologies and two venerations may be chanted.
It is also possible to say the Praises of Hosanna Sunday: "Today the words were fulfilled" - and the Praises of the One who sits above the Cherubim...
We pray "We glorify you, O Mother of Light" - then the Creed of Faith and "Ⲧⲉⲛϫⲟⲩϣⲧ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ…" is sung in the manner of Vespers and Matins.
The priest prays "Ⲫ̀ⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ"
The congregation then chants Ⲕⲩⲣⲓⲉ ⲉ̀ⲗⲉⲏ̀ⲥⲟⲛ with the Great Kyrie Eleison melody 3 times.
The deacons carry the icon of Hosanna Sunday decorated with flowers, Palm fronds, and olive branches.
The deacons and priests circle the sanctuary three times while saying the melody "Ⲉⲩⲗⲟⲅⲓⲙⲉⲛⲟⲥ"...
The priest stands to read the commentary as follows: Introduction to the commentary: "Ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩⲱϣⲧ ⲙ̀Ⲫ̀ⲓⲱⲧ ⲛ̀ⲁ̀ⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ"
Ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲉ ⲱ̀ Ϯⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ...
Ⲙⲁϣⲉⲛⲁⲕ ϩⲓϫⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲧⲱⲟⲩ ⲉⲧϭⲟⲥⲓ...
The sermon is read in the short Hosanna tune or as a standard reading: "Go up on the high mountains, O preacher of Zion..."
When the priest says, "And they cry out, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David," the people respond "Hosanna in the highest, this is the King of Israel..."
The people conclude the commentary with the response "Hosanna in the highest"...
The priest prays the litany of the Gospel in front of the main Altar and the deacon says "Ⲥ̀ⲧⲁⲑⲏⲧⲉ ⲙⲉⲧⲁ ⲫⲟⲃⲟⲩ Ⲑⲉⲟⲩ".
The first Gospel from our teacher John is read in front of the main Altar: "And on the next day, Jesus wanted to go out" …
The response to the first Gospel is said while they move to the icon of the Virgin Mary:
The four incorporeal creatures...
Hosanna in the highest...
The Second Gospel before the icon of the Virgin Mary Gospel of Luke "And Mary arose in those days..."
We magnify you with Elizabeth..."
Commend us on high...
The Third Gospel before the icon of the Annunciation of Gabriel
Gospel of Luke: "And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent..."
Gabriel the angel was seen by Daniel
Commend us on high...
The Fourth Gospel before the icon of the Archangel Michael
Gospel of Matthew: "And again the kingdom of heaven is like..."
Michael the chief of the heavenlies
Commend us on high...
The Fifth Gospel before the icon of Saint Mark
Gospel of Luke: "After this the Lord appointed seventy others also..."
Saint Mark the apostle and evangelist…
Commend us on high...
The Sixth Gospel before the icon of the Holy Fathers the Apostles
Gospel of Matthew: "Then he called his twelve disciples and gave them authority..."
Jesus Christ sent you
Commend us on high...
The Seventh Gospel before the icon of Saint George (or any martyr)
Gospel of Luke: "Before all this they will lay their hands on you..."
Saint George completed seven years...
Commend us on high...
The Eighth Gospel before the icon of Saint Anthony or any saint
Gospel of Matthew: "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone...'
Lose from your hearts the thoughts of evil...
Commend us on high...
The Ninth Gospel before the door of the church
Gospel of Luke: "And he passed through cities and villages, teaching..."
When you came in your...
Commend us on high...
The Tenth Gospel before the last quarter of the church Gospel of Matthew: "Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan..."
John testified in the four Gospels...
Commend us on high...
The Eleventh Gospel before the western door
Gospel of Matthew: "And when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage..."
He who sits above the cherubim
Commend us on high...
The Twelfth Gospel before the icon of John the Baptist Gospel of Luke: "For I tell you, among those born of women..."
He has not risen among those born of women...
Commend us on high...
In the churches of Abu Sefein, the seventh Gospel is added, or it is possible to read the seventh Gospel before the icon of Abba Sefein.
The cycle is completed by doing two rounds inside the church and then one round inside the sanctuary while they chant the melody of Evlogiminos.
The early Gospel prayer is prayed.
The psalm is chanted in the abbreviated Farhi.
The response of the psalm is said: "Alleluia, Jesus Christ, my good news..."
The early Gospel is read from Luke the Evangelist.
The response of the Gospel is said in the Sha'ani melody: "And Zacchaeus said to the Lord..."
The five small prayers are prayed (and can be prayed inaudibley).
And it is concluded with the Lord's Prayer and the melody of Khine Christos is chanted...
The priest prays the prayers of absolution and concludes with the prayer of the Son.
"Amen Alleluia Doxapatri" is said, the concluding piece of the prayers.
The priest concludes with the blessing and does not dismiss the people.
Hosanna Sunday Liturgy
The third and sixth hours of the Agpia are prayed and concluded in full.
The lamb is offered with the melody of "ⲉⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ" and the hymn of "Ⲉⲩⲗⲟⲅⲓⲙⲉⲛⲟⲥ" can be said... In both cases, it is completed with the melody of "Al-Li Lil-Qurban".
The procession of the Lamb is completed.
Ⲁⲗⲗⲏⲗⲟⲩⲓⲁ. Ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲉ̀ϩⲟⲟⲩ, Ⲥⲱⲑⲓⲥ ⲁ̀ⲙⲏⲛ, Ⲧⲁⲓϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ, and the Ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲡ̀ⲣⲉⲥⲃⲓⲁ̀.
The Pauline and Catholic Epistles are read.
The response of the Acts is said “Ⲱ̀ⲥⲁⲛⲛⲁ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲏⲉⲧϭⲟⲥⲓ”. Verses for the patron saints of the church may also be added and concludes with Ⲕ̀ⲥ̀ⲙⲁⲣⲱⲟⲩⲧ… ϫⲉ ⲁⲕⲓ̀ ⲁⲕⲥⲱϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ.
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles is read. Note: There is no synaxarium reading on Hosanna Sunday.
The hymn of "Ⲉⲩⲗⲟⲅⲓⲙⲉⲛⲟⲥ" is said.
The hymn of Ⲁ̀ Ⲡⲉⲛϭⲟⲓⲥ Ⲓⲏⲥⲟⲩⲥ - Ⲫⲏⲉⲧϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ.
The Festal hymn of the Trisagion is chanted
The Litany of the gospel is prayed
The psalm is chanted in the Syngary tune.
The response of the psalm is said: "Alleluia" Jesus Christ...
The Gospel is read in Coptic and/ or the vernacular. The psalm and the Gospel are in Arabic.
The response of the first Gospel is said: "Ⲱ̀ⲥⲁⲛⲛⲁ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲏⲉⲧϭⲟⲥⲓ".
The litany of the Gospel should be prayed before the reading of each of the Gospels, i.e. it should be prayed four times, but due to lack of time, it can be shortened to one or the first and fourth time before the reading of the Gospel of John.
The Second Gospel of Mark the Evangelist
Response: He who sits above the cherubim today appeared...
Hosanna in the Highest...
The Third Gospel of Luke the Evangelist
Response: On the way they spread their garments...
Hosanna in the Highest…
The Fourth Gospel of John the Evangelist
Response: Today the words have been fulfilled
Hosanna in the Highest…
It has become customary that after the sermon of the Mass, the fourth response is said and concluded with "Ϫⲉ ϥ̀ⲥ̀ⲙⲁⲣⲱⲟⲩⲧ"...
The three great litanies are prayed.
The Creed is recited
The Prayer of Reconciliation (and according to tradition, the liturgy of St Gregory is prayed on the Lord's feasts).
Before the response "Greet one another", both verses of the Adam Aspamos are said "Ⲡⲓⲭ̀ⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ Ⲡⲉⲛⲥⲱⲧⲏⲣ” - Christ our Savior" and - Ⲓⲥ ⲛⲓⲕⲟⲩϫⲓ ⲛ̀ⲁ̀ⲗⲱⲟⲩⲓ̀: “Behold the young children”... for the sake of brevity only the first verse can be chanted although this is not recommended.
The liturgy continues until the Watos Aspasmos, which may be chanted "Ⲟⲩϣ̀ⲫⲏⲣⲓ ⲉϥⲙⲉϩ ⲛ̀ⲱ̀ⲟⲩ... A miracle filled...
The remainder of the liturgy proceeds as normal with the appropriate fraction being prayed.
Psalm 150 is chanted during the distribution of the Holy Mysteries, in the melismatic tune.
If there is time the melody (Hosanna tune) or Espali (appropriate tune for the psali) for the day may be chanted during the distribution
The hymns of the feast are said with the melody of Sha'anin.
NOTE: The funeral prayer should not be started until the distribution of the Holy Mysteries is finished and the angel of the sacrifice is dismissed. In the past, these prayers were prayed at the beginning of the Pascha service of the 9th hour of Hosanna Sunday, however, this is no longer the case.
General Funeral
The General Funeral Prayers begin with placing a vessel/ bowl of water at the front of the church.
This water is used on the body of anyone who reposes during The Holy Week of Pascha. This is because during this week we are focused only on the sufferings and journey of Christ to the cross; therefore, if a parish member reposes during this week the body is brought to attend an “hour” of prayer at a Pascha service then sprinkled with the water and then buried. This water reminds us that we die with Christ and thus are resurrected with Him and live in the joy of the resurrection.
The prayers are prayed in the second chorus of the church where the congregation stands. A table is brought bearing a bowl of water, the cross and Gospel, two candle stands, the incense box and the cross used for Ⲫ̀ⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ; the censer and stand are also brought down.
The priest begins by saying the ⲉ̀ⲗⲉⲏ̀ⲥⲟⲛ ⲏ̀ⲙⲁⲥ and the Lord's Prayer.
The deacons chant Ϧⲉⲛ Ⲡⲓⲭ̀ⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ Ⲓⲏⲥⲟⲩⲥ Ⲡⲉⲛϭⲟⲓⲥ in the annual tune.
The prayer of thanksgiving is prayed and the priest raises the incense.
The deacons chant the verses of the cymbals.
Ⲛⲉⲕⲛⲁⲓ ⲱ̀ Ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ …
Ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲡ̀ⲣⲉⲥⲃⲓⲁ ….
Ⲉⲑⲣⲉⲛϩⲱⲥ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲕ….
Psalm 50 is said “Have mercy upon me O God, according to your loving kindness’ …
The hymn “Ⲇⲟⲝⲁ ⲥⲓ ⲟ̀ Ⲑⲉⲟⲥ ⲩ̀ⲙⲱⲛ. Ⲇⲟⲝⲁ Ⲡⲁⲧⲣⲓ ⲕⲉ Ⲩ̀ⲓⲱ ⲕⲉ Ⲁ̀ⲅⲓⲱ Ⲡ̀ⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁⲧⲓ: ⲕⲉ ⲛⲩⲛ ⲕⲉ ⲁ̀ⲓ̀ ⲕⲉ ⲓⲥ ⲧⲟⲩⲥ ⲉ̀ⲱ̀ⲛⲁⲥ ⲧⲱⲛ ⲉ̀ⲱ̀ⲛⲱⲛ ⲁ̀ⲙⲏⲛ: ⲁⲗⲗⲏⲗⲟⲩⲓⲁ” is said.
The prophecy of Ezekiel is said (37:1-14).
The litany of the sick is prayed.
The deacons chant “Kata Eiho’o Nem Kata Eigoh Allelujah”.
The short “Ⲇⲟⲝⲁ Ⲡⲁⲧⲣⲓ ⲕⲉ Ⲩ̀ⲓⲱ ⲕⲉ Ⲁ̀ⲅⲓⲱ Ⲡ̀ⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁⲧⲓ: ⲕⲉ ⲛⲩⲛ ⲕⲉ ⲁ̀ⲓ̀ ⲕⲉ ⲓⲥ ⲧⲟⲩⲥ ⲉ̀ⲱ̀ⲛⲁⲥ ⲧⲱⲛ ⲉ̀ⲱ̀ⲛⲱⲛ ⲁ̀ⲙⲏⲛ: ⲁⲗⲗⲏⲗⲟⲩⲓⲁ” is said – with Allelujah concluding the psalms.
The Psalms are read.
“Ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩⲱϣⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲕ …. ϫⲉ ⲁⲩⲁϣⲕ ⲁⲕⲥⲱϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ is chanted
The hymn of “Ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ϯⲁ̀ⲛⲁⲥⲧⲁⲥⲓⲥ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲣⲉϥⲙⲱⲟⲩⲧ” … and it’s concluded with “Ⲡⲓϩ̀ⲙⲟⲧ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲛⲉⲙⲱⲧⲉⲛ”.
The Pauline is read in the vernacular.
The hymn of the three sanctifications is said with the melody of the cross.
The litany of the Gospel is prayed.
The psalm is chanted in the Adribi tune
The hymn "Ⲕⲉ ⲩ̀ⲡⲉⲣⲧⲟⲩ ⲕⲁⲧⲁⲝⲓⲱⲑⲏⲛⲉ ⲏ̀ⲙⲁⲥ" is said in either the melismatic Adribi tune or the short tune for the sake of brevity.
The Gospel is read in Coptic and then the vernacular.
The gospel is chanted “Ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲧⲉⲛϯⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲛⲁϥ”
v The three great matins are prayed
v The deacon says “In the Wisdom of God…”
v The creed is recited in its entirety.
v The Litany of the departed is prayed.
v The people pray the Lord's Prayer.
Ϧⲉⲛ Ⲡⲓⲭ̀ⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ Ⲓⲏⲥⲟⲩⲥ Ⲡⲉⲛϭⲟⲓⲥ is chanted by the congregation
The priest prays the three absolutions, and at the end of the third absolution;
The priest raises the cross and prays the hymn "Ⲫ̀ⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ" for the end of Pascha services followed by subsequent verses - then Amen Alleluia the end of the prayers following the standard paschal rites.
The priest concludes with the blessing of the Holy Easter; "Jesus Christ our true God who accepted suffering of his own will..." and dismisses the people.
The church is decorated with dark/ purple curtains. The icon of the Bridegroom of the church is placed in front of the door of the sanctuary and the cross is taken out of the sanctuary and placed in front of the people; the prayers are in the second choir and the door of the sanctuary is not opened except for matins on Covenant Thursday.
