Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States
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Why has the Holy Synod banned the hymn "O' Beloved" from being sung on Good Friday? Have they given us a substitution for those who speak only English and can't enjoy the Arabic Hymns?

The hymn "O' Beloved" was never a matter of discussion in the Holy Synod. In our  priests' council of the Southern US Diocese, it was decided not to include this hymn as part of the Good Friday's hymns since it was never a part of the original Holy Friday Pascha rituals and hymns; but rather introduced into some of our churches just a few years ago. Singing that  hymn was not an ecclesiastical canon; but a personal preference. It is not right to impose  personal preferences over the church rituals.

Another point is that the lyrics of this hymn make people very emotionally mourning the sufferings of our Lord. That does not match our Lord's teachings. Our Lord Jesus Christ looked at the weeping women that had met Him on His way to Golgotha and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children" (Lk 23:28). The words of 'O Beloved' provoke the worshipper to weep and mourn for the Lord "Lord create in us a fountain that with tears will ever flow and a heart contrite and broken and a spirit within renewed O that we could shed the tears over thy feet pierced and bruised."
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