During the Great Lent, we enjoy many special hymns and “siamy” tunes that inspire us to meditate and bring us closer to God. As deacons, we need to know and memorize the rite of the Holy Lent which is divided into two major categories:
1- Saturdays and Sundays Rite
Since we are not abstaining from food (still eating vegan), we pray the Third and Sixth hours from the Agpya, and offer the Lamb with “Alleluia Je Efmeviee” during the procession instead of “Alleluia Fai Pe Pi” which means: “This is the day that the Lord has made” – since the Day of Resurrection didn’t come yet!.
During the Liturgy of the Word, we pray “Ti Shory” – not “Tai Shory”‐ since the latter is usually a more joyful hymn.
The Praxis response is “Ari Pamevi”‐ “Remember me O Lord”‐ which signifies our pleading and humble state as we offer to God our repentance and beseeching Him to have mercy on us as He did to the right‐hand thief!
After the Synaxarion, a long and beautiful hymn “Meghalo” – The Great High Priest – is prayed by deacons followed by “A Penchoice” and Agios O Theos in standard tune..
The Hymn Meghalo, points to our High Priest – the Lord Jesus Christ – who offered Himself as an acceptable sacrifice to God the Father. As a High Priest who took the form of man, He intercedes for us and feels the weaknesses of the body when He fasted forty days and forty nights for our sake!
During this hymn we entreat our saviour praying a beautiful verse: “I have sinned, My Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me, for there is no servant without sin, not master without forgiveness!”
The Gospel response is a hymn that is sung in the famous “Siamy” Tune: “Je Peniout”‐ Our Father who art in Heaven… reminding us that we are God’s children and “reminding” God to have mercy on us ‐ the weak children!
2- Weekdays Rite
Since we should abstain from food till late in the day, we pray the Agpeya till the 12th hour – Compline Prayer!
The following are the main hymns prayed during the Liturgy:
- Alleluia Ei Eie : “I share go in unto the altar of God” – during the Lamb Procession
- Nef senti “His Foundations…” at the end of Thanksgiving then,
- Eklenomen Taghonata “Let us bow our knees…”
- Entho te ti shory – instead of Ti Shori
- Shari Efnouty – “God lifts away the sins” ‐ Praxis
response - Ti Hiriny – “The peace of God which surpasses all
understanding” – Gospel Response - Pi Mairomy – “O Lover of mankind” during the
Distribution - Somatos – “The Body and Blood” – Concluding Hymn
May the Lord accept our prayers and fasting, to whom is glory forever Amen.