Only-Begotten Son
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]
Also known as: The Only-Begotten · ho monogenes · O Monogenes
Structured reference
Hymn details
- English title / meaning
- The Only-Begotten[^1]
- Common English transliterations
- ho monogenes (Greek)[^1]
- Long / short variants
- The Coptic and Greek traditions share the hymn's text but use entirely different melodies.[^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
References
Sources
- 1.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 6 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 93)
Although it is obvious that many texts are common to both the Coptic and Greek Churches, it does not necessarily seem to follow that the melodies have been held in common as well. For example, the great hymns The Only-Begotten (Greek: Ð monogen»j, ho monogenes) and the TRISAGION have the same text in both traditions, but the Greek and Coptic melodies for them are entirely different.
- 2.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 6 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 93)
However, since the relation of Greek and Coptic music is a study still in its infancy, no comprehensive or definitive statement can be made about this problem at present.
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This article was drafted from the sources listed above with AI assistance and reviewed by an editor before publication.