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An’im Zemirot

An’im Zemirot n. Hebrew (ah-NEEM zeh-meer-OTE) A hymn composed of an alphabetic acrostic of 31 lines, generally sung in front of the open ark at the conclusion of the Musaf service on Shabbat and festivals. A child often leads the congregation’s singing of An’im Zemirot. It is also known as Shir ha-Kavod, “the Hymn of …

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Ani Ma’amin

Jewish Words / By Youssef Matta

Ani Ma’amin n. Hebrew (ah-NEE mah-ah-MEEN) Literally, “I believe.” These are the first words of Maimonides’ Thirteen Principles of Faith, the 12th of which says, I believe with complete faith in the coming of the Messiah. Even though he may tarry I will wait for him on any day that he may come.” These words …

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Aleinu

Jewish Words / By Youssef Matta

Aleinu n. Hebrew (ah-LAY-noo) Literally, “it is upon us.” A prayer in praise of God, Aleinu acknowledges the unique relationship between God and the Jewish people. It is sung toward the end of synagogue services while the congregation stands. Originally from the High Holy Day liturgy, the Aleinu is now part of all services. It’s …

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Akdamut

Jewish Words / By Youssef Matta

Akdamut n. Hebrew (ahk-dah-MOOT) Literally, “introduction.” A hymn in praise of God, written in Aramaic, that is sung responsively in synagogue on Shavuot. noun Eisenberg, J., Scolnic, E., & Jewish Publication Society. (2001). The JPS dictionary of Jewish words. Over 1000 entries for Jewish holidays and life-cycle events, culture, history, the Bible and other sacred …

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Adon Olam

Jewish Words / By Youssef Matta

Adon Olam n. Hebrew (ah-DOAN oh-LAM) Literally, “Lord of the world” or “eternal Lord.” One of the songs traditionally sung to end Shabbat and holiday morning services. Sung by the entire congregation together in Hebrew, the words to “Adon Olam” date from the Middle Ages. The hymn praises eternal God, “who rules everything and will …

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Liturgy in the White Monastery

Liturgy / By Armia FAYEZ

Liturgy in the White Monastery Liturgy is an essential part of the life of a monastery, and we can hardly feel an interest for the White Monastery without being interested in its liturgical life as well.[1] Unfortunately we still know little about this subject, as recently stated by Heinzgerd Brakmann, a most distinguished scholar in …

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The Art of Coptic Churches

Heritage / By Armia FAYEZ

The Art of Coptic Churches WE WENT TO THE CHURCH while the elders of the monastery went with us. There were pictures of monks on the wall of the place, representing our monastic fathers: Antony the Great and Apa Pachom and Apa Paule and Apa Makarios.21 These were on one side and the archbishops of …

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Liturgy of the Monastery of al-Muharraq

Liturgy / By Armia FAYEZ

Liturgy of the Monastery of al-Muharraq The Monastery of al-Muharraq has special peculiarities in its liturgical practice.[1] For example, the term used there for ‘hymn’ is different from all other manuscripts: luhunat, rather than alhan. There are even differences in the musical instruments, as the monks of the Monastery of al-Muharraq use, in addition to …

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St. Mary’s Virginity

Theology / By Armia FAYEZ

ST. MARY’S VIRGINITY Aaron’s rod, in fact, is Mary. It is a type of her virginity. She conceived and bore the Son of the Most High, the Word, without human seed. Theotokia[1] of Sunday. Biblical Reality The virginity of St. Mary is not a matter of her own private life, but rather a ‘biblical reality’, …

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Full Of Grace

Liturgy / By Armia FAYEZ

FULL OF GRACE Mystery of Rejoice: On the Annunciation the angel Gabriel greeted St. Mary with the words: “Hail full of grace, the Lord is within you, blessed are you among women”. It was not an ordinary greeting, i.e., “Good Day”, nor did it mean “peace” or “shalom”, but had the full meaning of “rejoice”. …

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