# Only-Begotten Son

Source: https://coptic-lore-forge.lovable.app/wiki/only-begotten-son — Coptic Orthodox Wiki (updated 2026-10-01)

The Only-Begotten is a hymn shared by the Coptic and Greek churches, with the same text but entirely different melodies in the two traditions.[^1]

## The hymn

**The Only-Begotten**, identified by the Greek transliteration *ho monogenes*, is a hymn found in both the Coptic and Greek churches.[^1]

## Text and melody

The supplied account of church music states that the hymn has the same text in both traditions, while its Greek and Coptic melodies are entirely different.[^1] It presents this distinction as an example of why shared hymn texts do not necessarily imply shared melodies.[^1]

The account nevertheless cautions against drawing comprehensive conclusions about the relationship between Greek and Coptic music, describing that field of study as still in its infancy at the time of writing.[^2]

## Sources
[^1]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 6, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 93)
[^2]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 6, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 93)