The Rite of Palm Sunday and the Feasts of the Cross

The Palm Sunday rite includes:

• The Vespers and the day of Palm Sunday.

• The Feasts of the Cross (from 17 to 19 Tout, and 10 Baramhat).

• The Feast of the Cross on 17 Tout is celebrated for three days. The readings during these days are as follows:

• If 17, 18, or 19 Tout falls on a Sunday, the readings of the day itself are read, not the Sunday readings.

• The Feast of the Cross on 10 Baramhat always falls during Great Lent. Therefore The readings of the Feast of the Cross are always read, whether it falls on a Sunday or a weekday. It is celebrated with the Palm Sunday tune (Sha‘anini tune).

Vespers Incense (Evening Prayer)

• The Psalms of the Ninth Hour, Vespers, and Compline are prayed (and the “Curtain” prayer in monasteries). During the Midnight Praise, the Psali of the feast is chanted in the joyful tune, and the praise continues as usual.

• After the Prayer of Thanksgiving: The quarters of the Naqous (bell hymns) for Palm Sunday or the Cross are said.

• The Litany of the Departed is prayed. Then the doxologies of the feast are said before the doxology of the Virgin, followed by the remaining doxologies. A special praise (madīa) for Palm Sunday or the Cross is then chanted. The doxologies conclude with “We Magnify You, O Mother of the True Light” and the Nicene Creed.

• The priest says “Efnoti Nai Nan”, and the people respond “Kyrie Eleison” three times in the long tune. Then a procession around the sanctuary and the church takes place three times: On Palm Sunday, the icon of Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem is carried with olive branches and palm leaves, while chanting “Eulogimenos”. On the Feasts of the Cross, the hymn “Etav En Ni Eskhai” is chanted. After that, the Tarh (poetic commentary) is read.

• The priest then prays the Litany of the Gospel, and the Psalm is chanted:

• In the annual tune on Palm Sunday, followed by the Psalm response, Gospel response, and conclusion.

• In the festive tune on the Feasts of the Cross, followed by the Psalm response, Gospel response, and conclusion.

The Palm Sunday or Cross Procession During Matins Incense

After “Efnoti Nai Nan”, the people respond “Amen Kyrie Eleison” in the long tune, while processing three times around the sanctuary. They then stand before the sanctuary and chant: Eulogimenos” on Palm Sunday, or Etav En Ni Eskhai” on the Feasts of the Cross. Afterwards the Tarh is read. Then the Cross or the Palm Sunday icon, decorated with palm branches and flowers, is carried in procession while the assigned readings are read before the icons of the saints as follows:

1. Before the main sanctuary: Psalm: “Who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire… Before the angels I sing to You and worship before Your holy temple. Alleluia.” & The Gospel: John 1:44–52

2. Before the icon of the Virgin Mary: Psalm: “Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God… The Most High Himself has founded her.” & The Gospel: Luke 1:39–56

3. Before the icon of Archangel Gabriel: Psalm: “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and delivers them…” & The Gospel: Luke 1:26–38

4. Before the icon of Archangel Michael: Psalm: “Bless the Lord, all His angels, mighty in strength who do His word…” & The Gospel: Matthew 13:44–53

5. Before the icon of St. Mark the Evangelist: Psalm: “The Lord gives the word; great is the company of those who proclaim it…” & The Gospel: Luke 10:1–12

6. Before the icon of the holy apostles: Psalm: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth…” & The Gospel: Matthew 10:1–8

7. Before the icon of St. George or any martyr: Psalm: “Light has sprung up for the righteous…” & The Gospel: Matthew 12:19–21

8. Before the icon of St. Anthony or any saint: Psalm: “God is wonderful in His saints…” & The Gospel: Matthew 16:24–28

9. At the northern door of the church: Psalm: “How lovely are Your tabernacles, O Lord of hosts…” & The Gospel: Luke 13:23–30

10. Before the Lakan (water basin): Psalm: “The voice of the Lord is upon the waters…” & The Gospel: Matthew 3:13–17

11. At the southern door of the church: Psalm: “Open to me the gates of righteousness…” & The Gospel: Matthew 21:1–11

12. Before the icon of St. John the Baptist: Psalm: “I am like a fruitful olive tree in the house of God…” & The Gospel: Luke 7:28–35

Note: Each Gospel has its response, and the quarter specific to the feast (Palm Sunday or the Cross) is added.

The Divine Liturgy of the Feasts of the Cross

• The Psalms of the Third and Sixth Hours are prayed and the Lamb is offered.

• The hymns Alleluia Fay Bi Pe, Sotis, and Ti Shori are chanted, followed by Fai Etav Enf. In the Hitenies, the quarter of the feast is said before the saint of the day.

• After the Synaxarium, the hymn “Etav En Ni Eskhai” is chanted. Then Agios, the Litany of the Gospel, the Psalm in the Singari tune, the Psalm response, the Gospel, and the Gospel response.

• The Syriac Fraction prayer is said. Communion is distributed with the Palm Sunday tune.

The Divine Liturgy of Palm Sunday

• The Psalms of the Third and Sixth Hours are prayed and the Lamb is offered.

• The hymns Alleluia Fay Bi Pe, Sotis, Tai Shori, the Hitenies, and the Praxis response “Hosanna in the Highest” are chanted.

• The Synaxarium is not read. Instead, the hymn “Eulogimenos” is chanted after the Praxis, followed by the quarters “Fi Et Hemsi.”

• Agios and the Litany of the Gospel are prayed. The Psalm is chanted in the Singari tune, followed by the Psalm response.

• Three Gospels are read in Coptic and Arabic, each followed by its Palm Sunday response.

• The Litany of the Gospel is prayed again. Another Psalm is chanted (either a short Singari or annual tune), followed by the response. Then the fourth Gospel is read in Coptic and Arabic, followed by its response.

• Mournful tunes are not used. If there is a memorial for the departed, it is said in regular tone (not the mournful tune) as on Sundays and major feasts.

• The Palm Sunday Fraction is prayed. The Communion Psalm is chanted in the Palm Sunday tune, followed by the Palm Sunday praise until the end of the distribution.