Midnight worship of the Theotokos in Coptic and Arabic

[Coptic Christian liturgy]. [The Seven and Four].

€ 7.500,00

A bilingual liturgical manuscript in Coptic and Arabic, containing the beautiful midnight liturgy of the Seven and Four. It comprises the four Hoas, the seven Theotokia, and the seven Epsalias (hymns), along with the liturgy for raising incense. The four Hoas and seven Theotokia give their name to the "The Seven and Four", an important compendium in Coptic Christianity especially celebrated in the month of Kiahk. The Seven are the seven hymns dedicated to the glory of the Theotokos: the Virgin Mary, referred to literally as the "God-Bearer". The Four are the Hoas (literally, "praise") which include the "Song of Moses", the "Song of the Three Young Men", and Psalms 136 and 148-150. Epsalia can simply be translated as "hymn", rounding out the liturgical collection.

While important throughout the year, the texts in this manuscript would especially be sung during the month of Kiahk in the Coptic calendar. Kiahk, traditionally the month of the Nile floods, is known in the Egyptian Coptic church as the Marian Month (as it contains the Nativity), and is especially dedicated to the Theotokos with nightly midnight worship. This manuscript has been completed in a fine hand, with illustrated initials in the form of birds decorating the Coptic sections of the text.