Coptic Hymnology Studies – Part One (8 Online Lectures)

An intensive 8-week online course integrating theology, liturgy, and music to understand and practice Coptic hymns correctly — taught by Maestro George Kyrillos, founder of the David Ensemble.

Register via Morgeana   |   Call: +2 0100-565-7310

About the Course

The Coptic Hymnology Studies Course is taught in two stages. Part One (now open for enrollment) consists of 8 weekly online lectures released every Monday at 10:00 AM (local time). The program blends theological, liturgical, and musical perspectives with practical assignments to ensure solid understanding.

• Deepen theological & musical understanding of Coptic hymnology
• Connect spiritual meanings with musical forms & notation
• Practice through weekly readings, discussions, and MCQ assessments
• Access to Christian Classics Ethereal Library and Holy Sophia Library after enrollment

Lecture Outline (8 Lectures)

1. The Importance of Music in General — Ancient Egyptian reverence; philosophers’ views; benefits vs potential harms.
2. The Importance of Praise in the Bible — Biblical perspective; St. Basil the Great; Synaxarium of 4 Kiahk; is a melodious voice required?
3. The Importance of Praise in Coptic Hymns — Oral transmission over 20 centuries; blind chanters; “musical gospel?”
4. Qualities of Acceptable Praise — Based on the Didascalia (Ch. 38): wisdom, understanding, talent; does any praise qualify if it falls short?
5. Praising Coptic Hymns with Understanding — Beyond words; arabization debate; alternative comprehension methods.
6. Understanding the Liturgical Context — Rituals & processions; liturgy as theological explainer for all levels.
7. Understanding the Musical Form — Simple vs compound forms; how form guides performance; does it aid memorization?
8. Understanding Musical Notation — Reading notation; practical training; notation vs “shorts” (pros & cons).

Assignments & Evaluation

• Weekly Tasks: readings, short research paper (Chicago Manual of Style), discussion, MCQ quiz.
• Deadlines: every Sunday at 10:00 PM (local time). Late submissions allowed with grade deductions.
• Midterm (Week 5): extended MCQ.
• Final (Week 8): comprehensive MCQ.

About the Instructor

Maestro George Kyrillos — international conductor, researcher, and founder of the David Ensemble, with decades of experience studying, documenting, and performing Coptic hymns.

Organizer

Holy Sophia University (Coptic Christian, USA-based) integrates faith and scholarship through online higher-education programs. Enrollment for this course is handled exclusively via Morgeana.

FAQ

Is the content beginner-friendly?
Yes. Concepts progress from general topics to musical notation with clear, practical steps.

Do I receive a certificate?
Yes — issued by the organizing academic institution upon fulfilling all requirements.

Is the tuition fixed?
The listed tuition is indicative and may be updated. The enrollment page on Morgeana is the final reference.