Psalm Sunday & General Funeral
Background
Palm Sunday
One of the seven major feasts, and one of the most popular feasts among the Copts, Palm Sunday occurs on the seventh Sunday of Lent and has been celebrated by the Coptic church from early Christian times, to commemorate the entry of our Lord Christ into Jerusalem. This feast begins the Holy Week journey as Christ returned to Jerusalem from Bethany in preparation for His own crucifixion.
Historically, Copts would decorate their churches from the eve of the feast, carrying with them palm branches in the shapes of crosses, donkeys, and other shapes, decorated with olive twigs and flowers. Because of Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem as King on Palm Sunday, palm branches became a symbol of triumph among Copts. Therefore, in Coptic iconography palm branches are often drawn into the hands of martyrs to denote their triumph.
The use of palm branches was an ancient tradition used on the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles, as they were commanded in Leviticus, “Take for yourselves ... the fronds of palm trees and rejoice before Jehovah your God seven days.” They waved the palm branches as they processed through Jerusalem and the temple while reciting parts from Psalm 118 including “Save us, we beseech you, O Lord.” In Hebrew, the word hosanna means ‘save us’.
In the early centuries of Coptic history, a special procession is said to have been conducted outside the church, throughout the city or town, in observance of Palm Sunday. This procession was headed by the clergy and followed by the community of the faithful. This tradition remained in practice in Egypt until it was forbidden by the Fatimid caliph al-Hakim at the turn of the tenth century.
Basilios, Archbishop. “Feasts, Major.” Claremont Coptic Encyclopedia, Claremont Graduate University. School of Religion, 1991
Spiritual Application
Palm Sunday
“We want in fact not so much a father in heaven but a grandfather in heaven. A senile benevolence who, as they say, ‘would like to see young people enjoying themselves’ and whose plan for the universe was simply that at the end of each day a good time was had by all.”
C.S. Lewis
The Jews rejoiced at the coming of Jesus Christ the Savior, expecting Him to save them from the brutality of Roman rule. They cried out “Hosanna, Son of David! Hosanna to the King of Israel!”, greeting Him as a worldly king. Do we mistake Christ as a benefactor whom we expect to satisfy our worldly wants, forgetting the weightier matters? Do we find ourselves only requesting things from Christ and drifting from Him when we are not fully satisfied and comfortable? God wants us to be in union with Him and to draw close to Him even in the difficult times. He wants us to value the spiritual life and to taste of the joy that surpasses all worldly pleasures.
Also, before we begin our journey of sharing in the passion of Christ and His death, the church reminds us of the hope of the resurrection of our own bodies which is to come. Although we mourn the passion and death of Christ for our sakes, there is a sense of hope that is never lost throughout the Holy Week of Pascha, which can be tasted as inklings of joy within the mournful hymns that are chanted throughout the week.
Spiritual exercise
Pray to God and tell Him that you have emptied your heart from all that has been dormant in it. Tell Him that you have made a place in your heart for Him to enter and rein in you. Rejoice on this feast, considering Jerusalem as your heart, and Christ riding on the colt as His humble entrance into our hearts although we are unworthy. Truly recognize His dwelling within you, and keep Him close as you walk through the journey of Passion Week with Him, as this week is the pinnacle of the whole year in our intimacy with Jesus Christ our Good Savior. Let us not leave Him through His suffering and death, so that we may also be with Him in His Resurrection.
General Funeral
During Holy Week, the church focuses on the death of Christ. For that reason rather than the full rite of a funeral service, if someone dies during this week, prayers are recited for the deceased and the pascha service continues as usual as the body of the deceased attends the service. For this reason, a funeral service is carried out for the entire congregation after the Palm Sunday liturgy.
From a spiritual perspective, throughout the entire fast we have all been preparing to die with Christ so that we may live with Him. We have been working on a renewal of our minds, we have been emptying ourselves of the wickedness stored in our hearts so that we can allow Christ to enter as King. Now, if we are truly uniting with Christ, we must be willing to go with Him unto the Cross and die to the world with Him. So we are willingly attending our own funeral in preparation of being crucified with Christ on Great Friday.
Spiritual exercise
People are often taken aback when they imagine attending their own funeral. Take this event as an opportunity to contemplate on your own death. Are you prepared for the final judgement? Along with the practical aspect of holding a general funeral in case anyone dies during this week, there is also the spiritual perspective as we are preparing ourselves to participate in Christ’s passions and death. From this day, commit to cutting out/limiting worldly events throughout this holiest week of the year.
Rites
Palm Sunday
Prayers are chanted in the hosanna festive tune.
During Matins
A procession with twelve stations is done around the church, each station having a gospel & gospel response relevant to the station. This procession is only done on this feast & on the Feast of the Cross.
During the Divine Liturgy
Rather than one gospel being read, four separate gospel readings are recited, one for each Evangelists' account of this event.
General funeral
Prayers are chanted in the paschal tune.
After the divine liturgy, the curtain is closed and the priest begins with the funeral prayer.
At the end of the service, the priest raises the cross and chants "O God, have mercy on us..." and the congregation responds with "O King of peace...", both in their paschal tune
The priest reads the benediction and sprays the congregation with the water that was prayed on in the funeral service
Hymns
Palm Sunday
Verses of Cymbals
Hosanna in the highest, this is the King of Israel. Blessed is He who comes in the name, of the Lord of Hosts.
He who sits upon the cherubim, sat on a donkey. He came into Jerusalem. What is this great humility?
doxology
Blow the trumpet at the new moon, with the sound of the trumpet, on your festive day, for it is an order from God.
He who sits upon the cherubim, rode on a donkey, and entered into Jerusalem. What great humility!
According to what David said, in the Psalms, “Blessed is He who comes, in the name of the Lord of Hosts”.
Again he said, “Out of the mouths of the babes, and nursing infants, You have perfected praise”.
Then He completed the saying, of David the spirit-bearer, who likewise said, out of the mouths of the little children.
They praise Him watchfully, saying this is Immanuel. Hosanna in the highest, this is the King of Israel.
Bring to the Lord O sons of God, bring to the Lord glory and honor, rejoice in our God, with doxologies of blessing.
Praise is due to you O God, in Zion and Jerusalem. They send to You, prayers unto the ages.
Hosanna in the highest, this is the King of Israel. Blessed is He who comes in the name, of the Lord of Hosts.
We praise Him and glorify Him, and exalt Him above all, as the Good One and Lover of Mankind. Have mercy on us according to Your great mercy.
acts response
Hosanna in the Highest, this is the king of Israel. Blessed is He who comes in the name, of the Lord of hosts.
the hosanna hymn
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; again, in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna to the Son of David; again, to the Son of David.
Hosanna in the highest; again, in the highest.
Hosanna to the King of Israel; again, to the King of Israel
Let us chant saying: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Glory be to our God; again, glory be to our God.
Hosanna in the highest, this is the King of Israel. Blessed is He who comes in the name, of the Lord of hosts.
Parallax
Our Lord Jesus Christ, according to this day, entered into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey.
He who sits upon the cherubim, riding on a colt, entered into Jerusalem. What is this great humility?
They praise Him with alertness, saying “This is Immanuel. Hosanna in the highest. This is the King of Israel.”
Let us say with David the chanter, “Blessed is He who comes, in the name of the Good Lord, from now and till the end of the times.”
The cherubim and the seraphim, the angels and the archangels, the principalities and the authorities, the thrones, the dominions, and the powers,
Proclaiming and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth and goodwill toward men.”
General Funeral
verses of cymbals
Your mercies O my God are countless, and exceedingly plenteous are Your compassions.
introduction to the pauline epistle
For the resurrection of the dead, those who slept and reposed in the faith of Christ, Lord repose all their souls!
Paul, the servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed to the Gospel of God.
Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the Gospel… Grace and peace be with you all
trisagion hymn
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Who was crucified for us, have mercy upon us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Who was crucified for us, have mercy upon us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Who was crucified for us, have mercy upon us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of the ages. Amen. O Holy Trinity, have mercy upon us.
Gospel Response
For this we glorify You, crying and saying, blessed are You O my Lord Jesus, for You were crucified and saved us