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The Al Madaayeh is a sung Office of Praise to the Theotokos or the Al Madaayeh. The Al Madaayeh:
Composition during Five FridaysThe Acathist Hymn is part of Compline on Friday. The first part of Compline is said. Then, the weekly part of the Acathist Hymn is said. Then, the final part of Compline is said.
Period When the Al Madaayeh is Said
NameThe Al Madaayeh is also called the "Acathist Hymn" or "Akathist Hymn" or "Hymn of the Akathistos". This office is popularly known as "The Al Madaayeh". The Greek word "akathist" means �without sitting� or "standing", which is the traditional stance of this service. This Office of Praise is meant to be sung standing as a sign of respect for The Theotokos and her role in our salvation. DateThe Al Madaayeh was probably written in 532. The article below is from the June 2000 issue of "The Society of Publicans".In our Eastern Church, we worship God alone. However, we also venerate individuals who have been important human instruments of God in the history of salvation. First among those venerated is the Mother of God, The Theotokos. Our Church greatly honors Mary because she, a human like us, was chosen to give birth to the Son of God. As one of the hymns declares: "By singing praise to your maternity, we exalt you as a spiritual temple, Theotokos. For the One Who dwelt within your womb, the Lord who holds all things in His hands, sanctified you, glorified you, and taught all to sing to you..." The most beautiful and poetic service of our Church in honor of Mary is the Akathist Hymn. The word "akathist" means "without sitting. " Traditionally, the congregation stands throughout the hymn out of respect for Mary and her role in our salvation in Christ. God could do all things, but He could not say "Yes" for humanity. For the incarnation to be, that fiat had to be freely given. The Akathist Hymn is chanted in four parts during Compline on the first four Fridays of Great Lent. One the fifth Friday, the entire hymn is chanted. While it is common for many of the Western Christianity to venerate the Virgin Mary by saying rosaries, novenas, and other services, one should also know that in the Eastern Church there is the most magnificent and distinctive services in honor of the Theotokos. In prayers to the Virgin, Mother of God, it is particularly important to not only say the words, but to meditate and focus on the words, meanings and expressions in the prayers. In this context, there can be not doubt that she has been honored in the Eastern Church, beyond compare, with the most beautiful inspiring poetry and hymns of any saint that ever lived. Liturgical TextEnglish Madayeh Text The Melkite Eparchy of Australia and New Zealand, a Microsoft Word .doc file Byzantine Daily Worship compiled by Bishop Joseph Raya and published by the Alleluia Press in 1969 and 1980. More InformationAcathist Hymn / Akathist Hymn / Hymn of the Akathistos / Al Madaayeh for Jubilee 2000 on December 8 Web Site Home - Theology Home - Hierarchy Home - Locations Home - Education Home - Stewardship Home - Links Home - Vendors Home - Alphabetical Index Home - Thesaurus Home - Sitemap Home - Arabic fonts Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center Martha Liles Web URL address: Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center or https://www.mliles.com/melkite/ E-mail: mliles@mliles.com or mliles@mliles.com Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center is
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