As we continue working on the Coptic English Psalmody, I wanted to share with you all one of the doxologies for the Anastasis (Resurrection, Holy Fifty, Eastertide as a whole) that I found in psalmody manuscripts. Ⲫⲏⲉⲧⲁϥϣⲁⲛϣ is commonly known as the second doxology of the Resurrection, but some of you may be interested to know that it appears in various forms—it appears in four out of five of the earliest Bohairic Psalmody manuscripts; in two (Vat. Copto 38, and BNF Copte 22) ⲫⲏⲉⲧⲁϥϣⲁⲛϣ appears as part of ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ⲣⲱⲛ fused together and connected by one stanza (ⲁⲡ⳪ ⲧⲱⲛϥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲛⲕⲟⲧ). In CVP.HMML.3, ⲫⲏⲉⲧⲁϥϣⲁⲛϣ appears in the common form we see it today: a five stanza (now six depending on the book or app 
) However, a rather descriptive form of the same doxology can be found in BNF Copte 69; in this manuscript, the doxology is expanded into 13 stanzas, depicting the scenes of the passion of the LORD, and expanding upon the imagery of the Cross and the Anastasis. This is my draft translation:
He who nourished Israel, • forty years in the wilderness, • and gave them manna for food, • the bread of the angels— •
in place of the manna, • vinegar and gall they gave him, • and in lieu of the good things, • a crown of thorns they set on him;
they clothed him in a purple robe, • bending their knees to mock him, • struck his head with a reed, • and beat him with a hardened heart. •
When they ceased to mock him, • they disrobed him of his clothes, • lifted him in Cranium, • and crucified him. •
The sun beheld and darkened, • and the moon turned to blood, • for they saw their creator • hanging before them. •
Our savior, having seen • that everything was completed, • bowed his head on the cross, • cried out, and gave up the spirit. •
[Then] one of the soldiers • pierced his divine side, • and from it, he gushed forth • water and blood life-giving. •They shrouded and buried him • in a tomb, outside the city, • and they said, ignorantly, • “He will not rise again.” •
Lo, early, on the first day of the week, • Christ rose from the dead, • ascended to the heavens, • and sat at the right of his Father, •
according to that which David said • by the Holy Spirit, • “The LORD said to my LORD, • sit on my right hand.” •
All the hosts of the heavens • came forth and worshipped him, • the heavenly and the earthly, • even those below the earth! •
For this reason, being rich • in perfect benevolences, • we chant, faithfully, • singing, “Alleluia!” •
Alleluia! Alleluia! • Christ has risen from the dead • ascended to the heavens, • and sat at the right of his Father! •
I hope this doxology is chanted in whatever form available to us; here’s a recording to help:
Christ is risen!
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