Encyclopedia of Syriac chants

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Pagre Damasiha (Anthem of Mysteries)

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CMSI Ref Number 101-0083

Pagre Damasiha (Anthem of Mysteries)

Category Liturgical
Liturgical Context Offertory procession during Qurbana


The Deacon prepares the bread and wine at the side chapel and carries them in procession to the main altar. During the procession, the choir sings the Anthem of the Mysteries: “The precious Body and Blood of Christ at the holy sacrificial altar.” The anthem varies according to Sundays and feast days. Here is the Anthem for the weekdays. This anthem is significant for several reasons. From a theological perspective, it stands out at this part of the liturgy because the text refers to the bread and wine as the body and blood of Jesus, much before the Eucharistic Prayer (Anaphora) and the Invocation of the Holy Spirit (Epiclesis) after that. The anthem represents an Eastern and pre-“transubstantiation” approach in the history of Eucharistic theology. Poetically, this is an example of a single-strophe hymn that has two incipits. These incipits help the worshippers to sing the same song text with two different focuses. The choir sings the anthem with the first incipit, and the congregation repeats it with the second incipit. The Anthem ends with the song of the Angels in heaven, the Thrice-Holy. This is the third time the Thrice-Holy appears, after the “Our Father” and Trisagion. It will appear three times again, twice in the Anaphora, and once in the communion rite. The last two verses of the anthem reiterate the spiritual bond between the earthly and heavenly choirs. The choir invites the congregation to join with the angels, saying, “with the angels let us shout with joy, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty.” Thus, the earthly liturgy is simultaneous with the heavenly liturgy, defying the human understanding of time and space.

Also refer - Syriac Malabar Qurbana

Translitaration (Malayalam)

Translitaration (Malayalam)



Transliteration & Translation (English)

Syriac Text Translitaration (English) Glossary
Pagre = the body;
d’ +mšīhā = of the Messiah/Christ;
w’ + dme = and his blood;
yaqīrā = precious;
al = at;
madbah = place of sacrifice/altar;
qudšā = holy;
B’dehalṯā = in awe/fear;
wawrēhamṯā = and love;
kollan = all of us;
neṯqārew = let us offer;
le(h) = to him;
W’ + am = and with;
mālākē = angels;
n’yambaw = praise (shout with joy);
le (h) = to him;
Qandiš = holy;
māryā = Lord;
ālāhā = God almighty

Available Resources

Aramaic Project Recordings

S.No Occassion/Purpose/Context Artist Youtube Link Aramaic Project Number Notes
1.   Dr. Vellian and Rev. Sister. Dennis Video 6E
2.   Marth Mariam Church, Kuravilangad Video 36
3.   Fr. George Plathottam. Video 70U
4.   Mar Thoma Sisters Video 18D
5.   Dr. Jacob Vellian Video 80P
6.   Maria Joseph and Bro. Libin Video 90
7.   Fr. Augustine Kandathikkudyil, Video 96
8.   St. Thomas the Apostle Syro-Malabar Forane Catholic Church, Dallas, Texas, USA Video 100
9.   Infant Jesus Church, Koovappadam. Kochi Video 122
10.   Fr. Cyril Thayyil Video 127
11.   Annmariya Njarakunnel Video 149
12   Choir Team Video 155
13   Choir Team of Marth Maryam Forane Church, Kuravilangad Video 156



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