SSCN Voumes 1-10, 1994-2004

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

Publication of Proceedings: The papers presented at the Conference will be published in the 6th volume of the Society's bulletin for the year

1999-2000. A final draft of each paper shall be submitted by the presenter no later than October 31, 1999.

The Coptic Midnight Office of the Psalmodia for the Month of Kiahk In light of a Newly Discovered Manuscript in a Private Collection (1) (by Hany N. Takla)

Introduction: The Coptic Office of the Psalmodia is a collection of Biblical prayers (Odes) with poetic exposition on them (Lobsh), hymns in praise of God (Psali), and hymns in praise of the Holy Virgin Mary and the Saints (Theotokia and Doxology). Its origin is undoubtedly monastic and we primarily owe monasticism for its preservation in the manuscript tradition. In the early years of this century, Ekladious (Claudius) Pasha Labib, made the first publication of this most important work in two different versions. The first in 1908 1 and it included the shorter form of the work, otherwise called the Annual Psalmodia. Three years later in 1911 2 , he published the larger work of the Kiahk Psalmodia, which he edited from several manuscripts in an eclectic fashion. Thus the study of the individual manuscripts would affords us a more accurate picture of the regional traditions as well the evolution of this most important stronghold of Coptic poetry and music. The manuscript (Ms P) before us provides such a glimpse. It represents a late tradition of Upper Egyptian usage in a presumably parish church setting. Below, an attempt will be made to give brief codicological description of the manuscript, comparison of its contents to those found in the 18th century Vatican Apostolic Library Copt. 36 (V36) 3 which is also from Upper Egypt, and the 1911 published edition 4 . This will be followed by some general comments, primarily on what knowledge does Ms P furnish those interested in the study of the Coptic Liturgical system 5 .

Current Usage: This office is currently used in two different settings, Annual and Kiahk. The two are similar in contents and diff rent in order with the Kiahk Office having more season-specific hymns and prayers. The Annual Office consists of introductory prayers followed by the First three Odes listed below with associated prayers following each of them. Then the Commemoration of the Saints is recited followed by Doxologies and then the Fourth Ode. The last part consists of the Psali and the Theotokia associated with that day. There is a set of Psali and Theotokia for each day of the week with the Sunday's being the more prominent in size and melodies. This is concluded with a number of prayers. The Kiahk Office follows the same order as the Annual one, except for the following: 1. A special Kiahk Ode is recited before the regular ones. 2. A number of Coptic Psalis precedes the Odes and other Arabic hymns follows them. 3. The Day Theotokia also has a new set of Coptic Psalis preceding it and Arabic hymns that follow. Further the Theotokia with their associated Psalis and hymns for Monday through Saturday are divided in three groups of two. Each group is inserted between the four Odes: Monday and Tuesday between Ist and 2nd Odes, Wednesday and Thursday between 2nd and 3rd Odes, and Friday and Saturday between 3rd and 4th Odes. 4. Sunday Theotokia has extra Coptic and Arabic hymns that are recited after each of its sections.

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

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