The English Standard of Coptic Hymnology (ESCH)

The ESCH aims to provide a comprehensive English rendition of Coptic hymns, and in particular the Divine Liturgy, while endeavouring to maintain its rich and unique beauty. Founded in early 2018, our dream and vision is to encourage and arouse the love of the English Liturgy among newer generations to the extent that it is so deeply loved and enjoyed in Arabic and Coptic in Egypt.

We realise the immensity of this task, as the Liturgy is truly rich in beauty, and translating music and art across culture is complex, and remains to some extent impossible. We have attempted so by drawing from several reputable sources, in order to provide a faithful English rendition. These sources include: The Higher Institute of Coptic Studies (HICS), The Heritage of the Coptic Orthodox Church (HCOC) Choir, and various Cantors such as Cantor Ibrahim Ayad, Gad Lewis, Farag Abdelmessih, Fr Mattias Nasr Mankarious and the great Cantor Mikhail El-Batanouny.