While I am delayed in sharing my experience visiting the land of our forefathers for the first time (for which I apologize), on the feast of the Great, Saint Macarius the Spirit-bearer, I do want to draw your attention to a beautiful connection I made between the doxology texts in the Coptic Psalmody and the sites in which our ancestors lived and prayed. For the record, I took up Abba Macari as my intercessor for this trip—making this all the more special to me!
I began my day in Wadi Al Natrun in the Monastery of Saint Pishoy, but unfortunately the ancient church was closed for reparations. So after taking the blessing of the place, seeing the other churches, the shrine of Pope Shenouda III, and spending some time in the ancient fortress, I headed over to the Monastery of the Virgin Mary: Al-Suryan! And there, I had the time of my life! As I almost literally thumbed through every inch of the ancient church (encompassing the cave of St. Pishoy, and the rope by which he tied his hair for prayer) I found two beautiful icons of St. Macarius. The first of which, he was standing alone, depicted in what seemed to me to be in Pharaonic fashion:
Although standing in front of this masterpiece was in itself entrancing, it was the second icon that made all the lightbulbs go off in my head:
Now, typically, in our more modern sensibility as Copts, whenever we hear of the four creatures, we automatically think of four distinct beings as depicted in most of our parishes today. Actually, there are icons of this style as well in Old Cairo, with scenes such as these:
So, what’s really going on here? Are they four, or are they a cherub, and how can it be both? And I’ll throw in one more question myself: In that icon of Isaiah on the left hand side of the ciborium, it reads, “The cherubim communing Isaiah the Prophet.” Didn’t the Scriptures say it was a seraph? How is this possible? (Sadly, most people I know today would question this in such a way as to doubt the understanding of our forefathers, instead of digging deeper into the mind of the Church with respect for our tradition.)
As I walked through the Monastery of Saint Macarius, the day before I returned to the States, Fr. Mercurius, who was giving a tour to visitors from Ethiopia, pointed out this icon of the cherubim in the altar of the main church:
He said, “You’ll notice here the cherubim has the four faces of the bodiless creatures. This is because the word cherubim is a general term, like ‘soldier’.” And I remembered, in one of my classes on Christophanies in Scripture, we ourselves found that these depictions of heavenly scenes were attempts to describe realities beyond the comprehension of man in terms that man could understand. As an example, the vision of Daniel 7, where the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man are described—would it interest you know that, contrary to most modern interpreters claiming that the Ancient of Days is God, the Father, and the Son of Man is the Son, Jesus Christ, our fathers, including Athanasius of Alexandria, actually interpreted this vision to be an appearance of the Son of God, Jesus Christ alone, i.e. that it was a means of depicting an appearance of God that could not be completely grasped by man. This is similar to the majority of the scenes in the Revelation as well; hence the entire genre is termed apocalyptic literature—this concept of the hidden being revealed. (If you’re interested in this, I have some resources that I can share.)
In any case, as I’ve been working through the Psalmody texts over these years (pray for us, we’re almost done :)) I’ve come across a number of doxologies that aim to exegete, meaning interpret, the Scriptures as to who/what the cherubim is/does.
The first text for us to look at is the standard doxology for the four bodiless creatures:
| ⲡⲓⲇ︦ ⲛ̀ⲍⲱⲟⲛ | For the Four Creatures | |
| Ⲡⲓⲇ︦ ⲛ̀ⲍⲱⲟⲛ ⲛ̀ⲁⲥⲱⲙⲁⲧⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲉⲧϥⲁⲓ ϧⲁ ⲡⲓϩⲁⲣⲙⲁ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫϯ ⳾ ⲟⲩϩⲟ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲩⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩϩⲟ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲥⲓ ⳾ ⲟⲩϩⲟ ⲛ̀ⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩϩⲟ ⲛ̀ⲁⲏⲧⲟⲥ ⳾ | 1 | The four bodiless creatures • who carry the chariot of God: • a face of a lion, a face of a calf, • a face of a man, and a face of an eagle,[1] • |
| Ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲟⲛ ⲉⲩⲙⲉϩ ⲙ̀ⲃⲁⲗ ⳾ ϩⲓⲧϩⲏ ⲛⲉⲙ ϩⲓⲫⲁϩⲟⲩ ⲙ̀ⲙⲱⲟⲩ ⳾ ⲋ︦ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲛϩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲁⲓ ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲋ︦ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲛϩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲕⲉⲟⲩⲁⲓ ⳾ | 2 | and also full of eyes • in front and behind them,[2] • six wings to the one • and six wings to the other[3]—• |
| Ϧⲉⲛ ⲃ︦ ⲉⲩϩⲱⲃⲥ ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲩϩⲟ ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲃ︦ ⲉⲩϩⲱⲃⲥ ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲩϭⲁⲗⲁⲩϫ ⳾ ⲉⲩϩⲏⲗ ⲇⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲕⲉⲃ︦ ⳾ ⲉⲩⲱϣ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲉⲩϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ ⳾ | 3 | with two they cover their faces • and with two they cover their feet, • flying with the other two,[4] • crying out and saying, • |
| Ϫⲉ ⲭⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲭⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⳾ ⲭⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲡ⳪︦ ⲥⲁⲃⲁⲱⲑ ⳾ ⲧⲫⲉ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ ⲙⲉϩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲕⲱⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉⲕⲧⲁⲓⲟ ⳾ | 4 | “Holy, and holy, • holy, Lord of hosts; • Heaven and Earth are full • of Your glory and honor![5] • |
| Ⲧⲱⲃϩ ⲙ̀ⲡ⳪︦ ⲉϩⲣⲏⲓ ⲉϫⲱⲛ ⳾ ⲱ ⲡⲓⲇ︦ ⲛ̀ⲍⲱⲟⲛ ⲛ̀ⲁⲥⲱⲙⲁⲧⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲗⲓⲧⲟⲩⲣⲅⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ϣⲁϩ ⲛ̀ⲭⲣⲱⲙ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥⲭⲁ ⲛⲉⲛⲛⲟⲃⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⳾ | 5 | Pray the Lord on our behalf, • O four bodiless creatures, • ministers of flaming fire[6] • that He may forgive us our sins. • |
[1] Cf. Ezek 1:10; Rev 4:6-7. [2] Cf. Ezek 1:18. [3] Cf. Rev 4:6, 8. [4] Cf. Ezek 1:11, 1:23–24; Is 6:2 [5] Cf. Is 6:3; Rev 4:8. [1] Ps 104:4 (103 LXX, Sahidic ⲛⲉϥⲗⲉⲓⲧⲟⲩⲣⲅⲟⲥ ⲛ︦ϣⲁϩ ⲛ︦ⲥⲁⲧⲉ; Bohairic: ⲛⲉϥⲣⲉϥϣⲉⲙϣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩϣⲁϩ ⲛ̀ⲭⲣⲱⲙ); Ezek 1:7, (13?).
Here we find an enormous amount of similarity to the texts in the Anaphora of St. Basil, which speaks of the cherubim being full of eyes, and the seraphim having six wings. Also, the Anaphoras of Sts. Gregory and Cyril speak of both the cherubim and the seraphim having six wings with which they cover themselves as they cry out, “Holy, holy, holy…”
Then I also stumbled on this quite rare alternate doxology, also for the four creatures:
| ⲛⲑⲱⲟⲩ ⲟⲛ | For them also | |
| Ⲧⲟⲧⲉ ⲣⲱⲓ ⲛⲁϧⲓⲥⲓ ⲁⲛ ⳾ ⲟⲩⲇⲉ ⲡⲁⲗⲁⲥ ⲛⲁⲭⲁⲣⲱϥ ⲁⲛ ⳾ ⲉⲓⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲱⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲧⲧⲁⲓⲟ ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲇ︦ ⲛ̀ⲍⲱⲟⲛ ⲛ̀ⲁⲥⲱⲙⲁⲧⲟⲥ ⳾ | 1 | Then my mouth will not tire • nor will my tongue be silent, • declaring the glory and honor • of the four bodiless creatures, • |
| Ⲛⲁⲓ ⲉⲧⲁ ⲫϯ ⲥⲱⲧⲡ ⲙ̀ⲙⲱⲟⲩ ⳾ ⲁϥⲁⲓⲧⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲑⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ ⲛⲁϥ ⳾ ⲉⲑⲣⲉϥⲙ̀ⲧⲟⲛ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ ⲉϫⲱⲟⲩ ⳾ ϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲉⲛⲉϩ ⳾ | 2 | these whom God has chosen • and made as a throne for Himself • that He may rest upon them • forever and ever.[1] • |
| Ⲇⲁⲩⲓⲇ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲡⲓϩⲩⲙⲛⲟⲇⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲁϥⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲱⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲧⲟⲩⲙⲉⲧⲛⲓϣϯ ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲥⲙⲏ ⲙ̀ⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲓⲕⲟⲛ ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲓⲣⲏϯ ⲉϥϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ ⳾ | 3 | David the Hymnist • spoke of the glory of their greatness • with a prophetic voice • in this manner, saying, • |
| Ϫⲉ ⲁϥⲟⲗϥ ⲉϫⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲭⲉⲣⲟⲩⲃⲓⲙ ⳾ ⲁϥϩⲁⲗⲁⲓ ⲉϫⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲧⲉⲛϩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲑⲏⲟⲩ ⳾ ⲁϥⲭⲱ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲭⲁⲕⲓ ⲛ̀ⲗⲓⲝ ⲛⲁϥ ⳾ ⲉⲥⲕⲱϯ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲧⲉϥⲥⲕⲏⲛⲏ ⳾ | 4 | “He mounted on the cherubs, • and flew on the wings of the winds. • He made darkness a veil for Himself; • His tabernacle roundabout Him.”[2] • |
| Ⲛⲓⲭⲉⲣⲟⲩⲃⲓⲙ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲟⲗϥ ⲉϫⲱⲟⲩ ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡ⳪︦ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲱⲟⲩ ⳾ ⲡⲓⲇ︦ ⲛ̀ⲍⲱⲟⲛ ⲛ̀ⲁⲥⲱⲙⲁⲧⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲗⲓⲧⲟⲩⲣⲅⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ϣⲁϩ ⲛ̀ⲭⲣⲱⲙ ⳾ | 5 | The cherubim which He mounted— • the Lord, God of Glory, • are the four bodiless creatures, • ministers of flaming fire.[3] • |
| Ⲁⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲧⲱⲛϥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲏⲉⲑⲙⲱⲟⲩⲧ ⳾ ⲁϥϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ ϩⲓϫⲉⲛ ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉⲛϩ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⳾ ⲁϥⲟⲗϥ ⲉⲡϭⲓⲥⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩϣⲗⲏⲗⲟⲩⲓ ⳾ ⲉϧⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲛⲉϥⲥⲕⲏⲛⲏ ⲛ̀ⲉⲛⲉϩ ⳾ | 6 | Christ rose from the dead, • sat on their wings of light, • and, with a shout, has gone up[4] • to the heights, into His eternal tents. • |
| Ⲁⲧⲫⲉ ⲣⲁϣⲓ ⲁⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ ⲑⲉⲗⲏⲗ ⳾ ⲁⲛⲓⲭⲉⲣⲟⲩⲃⲓⲙ ϭⲁⲕ ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉⲛϩ ⳾ ⲁⲩⲱϣ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϣⲁ ⲅ︦ ⲛ̀ⲥⲟⲡ ⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲧⲩⲡⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ϯⲧⲣⲓⲁⲥ ⳾ | 7 | Heaven rejoiced, earth delighted,[5] • the cherubim flapped their wings • and cried out three times • as a type of the Trinity, • |
| Ϫⲉ ⲭⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲭⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⳾ ⲭⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲡ⳪︦ ⲥⲁⲃⲁⲱⲑ ⳾ ⲧⲫⲉ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ ⲙⲉϩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲕⲱⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉⲕⲧⲁⲓⲟ ⳾ | 8 | “Holy, and holy, • holy, Lord of hosts; • Heaven and Earth are full • of Your glory and honor!”[6] • |
| Ⲧⲱⲃϩ ⲙ̀ⲡ⳪︦ ⲉϩⲣⲏⲓ ⲉϫⲱⲛ ⳾ ⲱ ⲡⲓⲇ︦ ⲛ̀ⲍⲱⲟⲛ ⲛ̀ⲁⲥⲱⲙⲁⲧⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲗⲓⲧⲟⲩⲣⲅⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ϣⲁϩ ⲛ̀ⲭⲣⲱⲙ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥⲭⲁ ⲛⲉⲛⲛⲟⲃⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⳾ | 9 | Pray the Lord on our behalf, • O four bodiless creatures, • ministers of flaming fire, • that He may forgive us our sins. • |
[1] Cf. 1 Sam 4:4; 2 Sam 6:2, 22:11; 2 Kgs 19:15; 1 Chr 13:6; Ps 18:10 (17 LXX), 80:1 (79 LXX), 99:1 (98 LXX); Sir 49:8; Is 37:16; Ezek 1:5-26, 10:1-22; Pr Azar 31/Dan 3:55; Rev 4:6. v. 5, Ezek 10:15, and Ezek 10:20 equate the cherubim with the living creatures.
[2] Ps 18:10–11 (17 LXX).
[3] Ezek 10:15, 20; Ps 104:4 (103 LXX, Sahidic ⲛⲉϥⲗⲉⲓⲧⲟⲩⲣⲅⲟⲥ ⲛ︦ϣⲁϩ ⲛ︦ⲥⲁⲧⲉ; Bohairic: ⲛⲉϥⲣⲉϥϣⲉⲙϣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩϣⲁϩ ⲛ̀ⲭⲣⲱⲙ); Ezek 1:7, 13(?).
See also: Third Canticle, v. 4, Sunday Tadakia, v. 3a.1, 3b.2, 3i.2, lxxxii-6, cvi-6.3, Monday Psali, v. 18, Tuesday Tadakia, Finale, v. 2, Wednesday Tadakia, v. 5.10, Friday Tadakia, v. 2.2, 4.2.
[4] Cf. Ps 47:5 (46 LXX).
[5] Cf. 1 Chr 16:31; Ps 96:11 (95 LXX); Is 49:13.
[6] Cf. Is 6:3; Rev 4:8.
The sheer amount of exegesis occurring in these doxologies fascinates me! Our fathers knew the Scriptures so well that they were able and free to connect all these verses—from the Psalms to Isaiah to the Gospels and further! And not only this, but to take the text and bring it to life (so to speak, of course; the Scriptures are already life-giving) in the iconography of the Church! In the below icon, we see Christ in His Ascension and Advent/Second Coming, carried by the four creatures/cherubim.
All of this then leads me to the fantastic masterpieces that are the doxologies of the Great Abba Macari whose feast is today! Quite poetically, our ancestors not only interpret the Scriptures, but they also see their own lives modeled in them.
| ⲁⲃⲃⲁ ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲑⲱⲟⲩⲧⲥ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ | Abba Macari and the Assembly of the Saints | |
| Ⲡⲓⲭⲉⲣⲟⲩⲃⲓⲙ ⲉⲑⲙⲏⲛ ⲉⲣⲟⲕ ⳾ ⲡⲁ⳪︦ ⲛ̀ⲓⲱⲧ ⲁⲃⲃⲁ ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓ ⳾ ϣⲁⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥⲉⲛⲕ ⲉⲛⲓϣⲁϥⲉⲩ ⳾ ⲉϥⲟⲓ ⲛ̀ⲇ︦ ⲙ̀ⲡⲣⲟⲥⲱⲡⲟⲛ ⳾ | 1 | The cherub ongoing with you, • O my lord and father, Abba Macari, • until he brought you to the deserts, • he being of four faces— • |
| Ⲟⲩϩⲟ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲩⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩϩⲟ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲥⲓ ⳾ ⲟⲩϩⲟ ⲛ̀ⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩϩⲟ ⲛ̀ⲁⲏⲧⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲧⲩⲡⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲭⲉⲣⲟⲩⲃⲓⲙ ⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲛ̀ϯⲅⲣⲁⲫⲏ ⳾ | 2 | a face of a lion and a face of a calf, • a face of a man and a face of an eagle— • is the type of the cherubim • according to the word of the Scripture. |
| Ⲉⲛⲛⲁⲓⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓϩⲟ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲩⲓ ⳾ ⲉϫⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲛⲓⲱⲧ ⲁⲃⲃⲁ ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓ ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲙⲟⲩⲓ ⲉϥϩⲉⲙϩⲉⲙ ⳾ ⲟⲩⲃⲉ ⲛⲓⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ ⲙ̀ⲡⲟⲛⲏⲣⲟⲛ ⳾ | 3 | We draw the face of the lion • onto our father, Abba Macari, • for he became a lion • roaring against the evil spirits. • |
| Ⲉⲛⲛⲁⲓⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓϩⲟ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲥⲓ ⳾ ⲉϫⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲛⲓⲱⲧ ⲁⲃⲃⲁ ⲓⲱⲁⲛⲛⲏⲥ ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲁϥϭⲟ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓϣⲉ ⲉⲧϣⲟⲩⲱⲟⲩ ⳾ ⲁϥⲫⲓⲣⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲁϥϯⲕⲁⲣⲡⲟⲥ ⳾ | 4 | We draw the face of the calf • onto our father, Abba John, • for he planted the withered wood • and it blossomed and yielded fruit. • |
| Ⲉⲛⲛⲁⲓⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓϩⲟ ⲛ̀ⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⳾ ⲉϫⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲛⲓⲱⲧ ⲁⲃⲃⲁ ⲡⲓϣⲱⲓ ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲁϥⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡ︦ⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲏϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲱⲩⲥⲏⲥ ⲡⲓⲛⲟⲙⲟⲑⲉⲧⲏⲥ ⳾ | 5 | We draw the face of the man • onto our father, Abba Pishoi, • for he conversed with Christ • like Moses the Lawgiver. • |
| Ⲉⲛⲛⲁⲓⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓϩⲟ ⲛ̀ⲁⲏⲧⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲉϫⲉⲛ ⲛⲉⲛⲓⲟϯ ⲛ̀ⲣⲱⲙⲉⲟⲥ ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲱⲟⲩ ⲁⲩϭⲓ ⲛ̀ϩⲁⲛⲧⲉⲛϩ ⲛ̀ⲭⲣⲱⲙ ⳾ ⲁⲩϩⲱⲗ ⲥⲁϧⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲛⲓϣⲁϥⲉⲩ ⳾ | 6 | We draw the face of the eagle • onto our Roman fathers, • for they received wings of fire • and flew into the deserts. • |
| Ⲓⲥ ⲙⲱⲥⲏ ⲡⲓⲭⲁⲙⲏ ϩⲱϥ ⳾ ⲁϥⲓ ⲉϧⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲛⲁⲓϣⲁϥⲉⲩ ⳾ ⲁϥⲉⲣⲫⲟⲣⲓⲛ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲭⲗⲟⲙ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧⲗⲱⲙ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲙⲉⲧⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⳾ | 7 | Lo, Moses the Black, also, • came into these deserts, • and put on the unfading crown • [that is] of martyrdom; • |
| Ⲡⲓⲙ︦ⲑ︦ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲛⲓϧⲉⲗⲗⲟⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓϣⲁϥⲉⲩ ⳾ ⲛⲏⲉⲧⲁⲩⲫⲱⲛ ⲙ̀ⲡⲟⲩⲥⲛⲟϥ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⳾ ϩⲓϫⲉⲛ ϯⲡⲉⲧⲣⲁ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲁⲙⲟⲩⲛ ⳾ | 8 | the Forty-Nine Martyrs, • the elders of the deserts, those whose blood was shed • on the rock of Amun; • |
| Ϯⲁⲅⲓⲁ ⲏⲗⲗⲁⲣⲓⲁ ⳾ ⲑⲏⲉ︦ⲑ︦ⲩ︦ ⲁⲛⲁⲥⲧⲁⲥⲓⲁ ⳾ ϯⲁⲅⲓⲁ ⲁⲣⲓⲯⲓⲙⲁ ⳾ ⲛⲓϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡ︦ⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⳾ | 9 | and Saint Hilaria, • holy Anastasia, • and Saint Aripsima, • the brides of Christ; • |
| Ⲛⲓⲧⲟⲡⲟⲥ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲁⲕⲥⲉⲙⲛⲏⲧⲟⲩ ⳾ ⲡⲁ⳪︦ ⲛ̀ⲓⲱⲧ ⲁⲃⲃⲁ ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓ ⳾ ⲥⲉⲛⲁⲕⲏⲛ ⲁⲛ ⲉⲩϯⲟⲩⲧⲁϩ ⳾ ϣⲁⲧⲥⲩⲛⲧⲉⲗⲓⲁ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲁⲓⲉⲛⲉϩ ⳾ | 10 | all the places you settled, • O my lord and father, Abba Macari, • will not cease bearing fruit, • even to the end of this age. • |
| Ⲧⲱⲃϩ ⲙ̀ⲡ⳪︦ ⲉϩⲣⲏⲓ ⲉϫⲱⲛ ⳾ ⲡⲁ⳪︦ ⲛ̀ⲓⲱⲧ ⲁⲃⲃⲁ ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓ ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲉⲕϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲥⲧⲁⲩⲣⲟⲫⲟⲣⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥⲭⲁ ⲛⲉⲛⲛⲟⲃⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⳾ | 11 | Pray the Lord on our behalf, • my lord and father, Abba Macari, • and your children, the cross-bearers, • that He may forgive us our sins! • |
| ⲁⲃⲃⲁ ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓ ⲡⲓⲛⲓϣϯ | Abba Macari the Great | |
| Ⲣⲟⲩϩⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⳾ ϥⲛⲁⲉⲙⲧⲟⲛ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲓⲱⲧ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦ⲩ︦ ⳾ ⲡⲓⲛⲓϣϯ ⲁⲃⲃⲁ ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓ ⳾ | 1 | “Our holy father, • the Great Abba Macari • will fall asleep • in the evening of the day,” • |
| Ⲁⲡⲉⲛⲥⲱⲧⲏⲣ ⳾ ⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲭⲉⲣⲟⲩⲃⲓⲙ ⳾ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲉⲑⲙⲏⲛ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⳾ ⲓⲥϫⲉⲛ ϯⲁⲣⲭⲏ ⳾ | 2 | our Savior • spoke with the cherubim • who was with him • from the beginning, • |
| Ϫⲉ ⲁϥⲓ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲟⲩⲥⲏⲟⲩ ⳾ ⲁⲛⲓⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲟϩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⳾ ⲉⲑⲣⲟⲩϭⲟⲗ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲥⲙⲁϩ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲁⲗⲟⲗⲓ ⲉⲧⲧⲁⲓⲏⲟⲩⲧ ⳾ | 3 | “The time has come, • the days are fulfilled, • that the precious grape cluster • may be harvested, • |
| Ⲫⲁⲓ ⲉⲑⲙⲉϩ ⲛ̀ⲏⲣⲡ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲉⲩⲫⲣⲟⲥⲩⲛⲏ ⳾ ⲉⲓⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲉⲡⲓⲑⲙⲏⲓ ⳾ ⲡⲓⲛⲓϣϯ ⲁⲃⲃⲁ ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓ ⳾ | 4 | this which is full • of the wine of joy— • I speak of the just, • the Great Abba Macari. • |
| Ⲁⲣⲓⲥⲁⲗⲡⲓⲍⲓⲛ ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲕⲥⲁⲗⲡⲓⲅⲅⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲕⲑⲱⲟⲩϯ ⲉϧⲟⲩⲛ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲛⲏⲉ︦ⲑ︦ⲩ︦ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⳾ | 5 | Sound the trumpet • with your horn • that you may gather • all the holy ones • |
| Ⲛⲓⲕⲉⲧⲁⲅⲙⲁ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲉⲡⲟⲩⲣⲁⲛⲓⲟⲛ ⳾ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲧⲉⲛⲑⲱⲛϥ ⲉⲣⲱⲟⲩ ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲉϥⲡⲟⲗⲏⲧⲓⲁ ⳾ | 6 | and all the ranks • of the heavenly • to which he was likened• by his virtues, • |
| Ⲛⲧⲉⲕⲓⲛⲓ ϣⲁⲣⲟⲓ ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲱⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲧⲁⲓⲟ ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲥⲕⲉⲩⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲥⲱⲧⲡ ⳾ ⲉⲧϣⲟⲡ ϩⲓ ⲡϣⲁϥⲉ ⳾ | 7 | that you may bring to Me, • in glory and honor, • the chosen vessel • which is in the desert, • |
| Ⲫⲁⲓ ⲉⲧⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛⲏⲓ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲃⲱⲕ ⲛ̀ⲥⲁⲃⲉ ⳾ ⲉϥⲁⲣⲉϩ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲙⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲁⲉⲛⲧⲟⲗⲏ ⳾ | 8 | he who was to Me • a wise servant • keeping My law • and My commandments, • |
| Ⲛⲧⲁⲧⲏⲓϥ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲇⲱⲣⲟⲛ ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲃⲁⲥⲓⲗⲓⲕⲟⲛ ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲓⲱⲧ ⲛ̀ⲁⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦ⲩ︦ ⳾ | 9 | that I may give him • as a royal gift • to My good Father • and the Holy Spirit, • |
| Ⲛⲧⲉϥⲟⲩⲛⲟϥ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲏⲉ︦ⲑ︦ⲩ︦ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥϣⲁϣⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲱⲛϧ ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲑⲙⲉⲧⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲫⲏⲟⲩⲓ ⳾ | 10 | that he may rejoice • with all the saints, • and attain the life • in the kingdom of heaven.” • |
| Ⲫϯ ⲫⲏⲉⲧⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉⲛⲓⲱⲧ ⲡⲓⲑⲙⲏⲓ ⳾ ⲡⲓⲛⲓϣϯ ⲁⲃⲃⲁ ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓ ⳾ ⲉϥⲉϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛⲉⲙⲁⲛ ϩⲱⲛ ⳾ | 11 | God who dwelt • with our righteous father, • the Great Abba Macari, • shall be with us also • |
| Ⲛⲧⲉϥϫⲟⲕⲧⲉⲛ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲛⲁϩϯ ⲉⲧⲥⲟⲩⲧⲱⲛ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥⲉⲣϩⲙⲟⲧ ⲛⲁⲛ ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲭⲱ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲉⲛⲛⲟⲃⲓ ⳾ | 12 | that He may perfect us • in the upright faith, • and that He grant us • the forgiveness of our sins. • |
| Ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲉⲩⲭⲏ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲛⲓϣϯ ⲁⲃⲃⲁ ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓ ⳾ ⲡ⳪︦ ⲁⲣⲓϩⲙⲟⲧ ⲛⲁⲛ ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲭⲱ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲉⲛⲛⲟⲃⲓ ⳾ | 13 | Through the prayers • of the Great Abba Macari, • O Lord grant us • the forgiveness of our sins. • |
May the holy Abba Macarius the Spirit-bearer pray on our behalf that we may attain his likeness and his love for Christ the King!
ϧⲉⲛ ⲥⲟⲩ ⲕ︦ⲍ︦ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲣⲉⲙϩⲟⲧⲡ ⲁ̿ ⲯ︦ ⲙ︦ ⳥
On the 27th day of Paremhotep 1740 AM
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