Rite of the Glorious Feast of the Resurrection

It is the joyful (Festal) rite, distinguished by its joyful melodies appropriate for feasts and spiritual celebrations.

 

Midnight Praise (Tasbeha)

• The Midnight Prayer begins with the Prayer of Thanksgiving and Psalm 50 (“Have mercy on me, O God”)

• The Gospel is wrapped in a white veil, carried by the senior priest, and processed around the church three times while chanting the hymn “Ten Theno”

• The Resurrection praise “Ten Nav” is said

• The hymn of Midnight Praise is chanted in its known tune, followed by the Resurrection Hoos from the Holy Week book

• The praise continues as usual with the following notes:

  • A Psali (hymn) is said for each Hoos, for the Commemoration, and for the Theotokos (from the Holy Week book)

  • The Commemoration (Synaxarion/Commemoration of Saints) is chanted in the joyful festive tune

  • The Resurrection doxologies are said, followed by the rest of the doxologies

  • The Theotokias are chanted, followed by the verses “Nem gar khen ni noti”

  • The Difnar is not read; instead, the Feast exposition (Tarh) is read from the book of the Cross and Palm Sunday procession (also used during the Holy Fifty Days)

Raising of Incense (Matins)

• Matins incense is prayed without Psalms

• The Matins doxology is chanted in the seven tunes

• There is a special Gospel response for Matins

• Concludes with “Epshois Epshois”

The Liturgy

• The Lamb is offered without Psalms, and the hymn “Alleluia, the Sacrifice” is said

• The hymns “Alleluia Fai pe pi” and “Tai Shori” are chanted

• The Resurrection intercessions (Hiteny) and the Praxis response are said

• The Synaxarion is not read from the Feast of Resurrection until the end of the Holy Fifty Days

• Instead, the hymn “Kata ni choros el-hegab” and verses “O all heavenly hosts” are chanted

• During this, the Icon of the Resurrection is prepared (from the night of the feast until the 39th day of the Holy Fifty Days)

Commemoration of the Resurrection

Priests and deacons enter the sanctuary, the door is closed, and lights are turned off. Two deacons stand outside and proclaim: “Christos Anesti” (Christ is risen) — three times. The priest responds: “Alithos Anesti” (Truly He is risen). Then in Arabic: “Christ is risen” — answered: “Truly He is risen”. Finally, they proclaim: “Lift up your gates, O kings…”. The priest asks: “Who is the King of Glory?” They answer: “The Lord strong and mighty…” The sanctuary door is opened and the lights are turned on

 

Resurrection Procession

Priests and deacons process around the altar three times, carrying The Resurrection icon, Incense, Candles and Crosses. Then process around the church three times, then once around the altar

 

Incense is offered before the Resurrection icon with these responses:

• “We worship You, O Christ our God… for You have risen and saved us”

• “O Lord Jesus Christ… crush Satan under our feet”

• “Peace to the Resurrection of Christ…”

• Concludes with the hymn “Ekhristos Aftonf”, followed by verses and the Trisagion in joyful tune, adding:
  “You who rose from the dead, have mercy on us”

• After the Gospel Litany: The Psalm is chanted in the Singar tune, The Gospel is read in Coptic and Arabic. The exposition and Gospel response are said

• The Liturgy continues as usual with Adam and Watos Aspasmos, Resurrection Fraction, Distribution in joyful tune and Special Resurrection hymn and conclusion

Evening of Resurrection Sunday (Sham El-Nessim Eve)

• Begins with the Prayer of Thanksgiving and Psalm 50 (without the Agpeya hours)

• The hymn “Ni Ethnos Tiro” is said. Followed by: The Fourth Hoos,

  Resurrection Psali (Adam). Then Sunday Psali “Ai Koti”  Sunday Theotokia (selected parts), The Vespers exposition of Resurrection Sunday and Concludes as usual

Evening Incense of Resurrection Sunday

Incense is raised as usual, The Verses of the Cymbals are chanted with Resurrection themes, Continues as in joyful feast days

• The Prayer for the Departed and Resurrection doxologies are said Followed by “Efnoti nai nan”, Kyrie eleison (long tune), and “Kata ni choros el-hegab”. A Resurrection procession is done, commemorating Christ’s appearance to His disciples while the doors were closed.

• The Trisagion in joyful tune is chanted, adding: “You who rose from the dead, have mercy on us”

• Then: Gospel Litany, Psalm (joyful tune), Gospel and response and Conclusion