Reprinted article from www.coptichymns.net
Alleluia El Asr
by Andrew Halim, Ramez Mikhail, Mina Demian, and Paul Samaan
Last Updated: Sunday, July 31, 2005
- 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
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