Table of Contents Contemplations on the hymn of Psalm 116 (Ni-ethnos Teero). Introduction The Holy Psalmody consists of the Prayer of the Vespers hour, the Vespers Raising of Incense, the Midnight Psalmody, the Prayers of the Prime Hour, and the Prime Raising of Incense. The Holy Liturgy is then prayed after the Holy Psalmody. As with all other Services in the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Holy Psalmody begins with “Doxa Patri”, “Epchois nai nan”, the Lord’s Prayer, the Thanksgiving Prayer, and Psalm 50. Thereafter, on non-fasting days, the prayers of the 9th, 11th, 12th, (and the Veil in monasteries) services of the Agpeya are

Table of Contents Contemplations on the Vespers Alleluia – Alle el-Asr. Introduction The hymn “Alle el-Asr” is chanted during the Sunday Vespers Praise, usually during the month of Koiahk and during the Great Lent, but it is also possible to chant this great hymn annually. The hymn is the last verse of the Fourth Hos, which is translated from Coptic to mean: Alleluia! Glory is to God! The hymn itself consists of 8 parts. Each part is a section from other common hymns in the Coptic Orthodox Church, which I think have an important place in this hymn of “Alle

Table of Contents Contemplations on the Saturday Psali. Introduction The Saturday Psali, also known by its first words, Aftee Em Ep onof, has a continuous form of the Jesus Prayer, which, in its fullest form, is: “Lord Jesus Christ, only-begotten Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” The Jesus Prayer is one of the oldest prayers, and it is based on Scripture. We can recall three incidents in the Gospel where people call to the Lord Jesus Christ in this manner: The ten lepers: “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us” (Lk. 17:13).The publican: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner” (Lk.

Table of Contents Contemplations on the Saturday Theotokia. Introduction As appointed servants of the Lord God and His holy altar, we continuously renew our commitment in learning the hymns, cherished by our Church, to praise Him, the Most High, and His blessed Saints. Several of these hymns are dedicated in honoring the blessed Virgin and Theotokos, St. Mary. Among them is the Saturday Theotokia. The Saturday Theotokia is characterized with a wonderful and joyful melody, allowing us to lift up our hearts with the angels in heaven in praising the Lord God and honoring His Saints. This hymn is chanted

Table of Contents Contemplations on “Jacob’s Ladder” Verse in the Saturday Theotokia. You were likened to the ladder,Which Jacob saw,rising to heaven,With the awesome God standing above it. “Areten-thontee” is a long and joyful verse in the Saturday Theotokia, hence giving us the opportunity to contemplate upon its words. I ask you to allow me to share with you some of my own thoughts, and may the Lord be a guide to all those who wish to contemplate upon His words. We are told in Gen. 28:10-22, that Jacob was on his way to Haran from Beer-Shaba. During the night,

Table of Contents Contemplations on the Saturday Theotokia Lobsh. Introduction St. Paul teaches us saying, “I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the mind also; I will sing praise with the spirit, but I will sing praise with the mind also” (1 Cor. 14:15). We pray that the Lord God may grant us wisdom and understanding, so that we may learn to praise His Holy Name and sing about His holy saints, in one voice, one heart and one mind. Verse 1 Hail to you, O full of grace,The undefiled VirginThe chosen vesselFor all the world. You are