Cairo Genizah : Liturgy; writing exercise

Cairo Genizah

<p style='text-align: justify;'>F. 1r: writing exercise consisting of a Syriac hymn ‘The pure and exalted one’. The hymn can be found in the Book of Beth Gazo under the genre ‘Supplications of Rabula’, melody no. 2. The melody of this hymn is now presumed to be lost. F. 1v: writing exercise of a Syriac hymn ‘The Virgin gave birth to a wonder’. The hymn is copied on f. 1v, and again on f. 2r. This hymn is found in the Book of Beth Gazo and falls under the Qolo ‘I have examined everything,’ melody no. 1. The hymn occurs during the Nativity liturgy and is particularly practised at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem during Christmas celebrations. Ca. 16th-17th century.</p>