Hymns from Nahire service in Syriac/Aramaic from the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch.

Celebrated on the Eve of Monday during Passion Week (evening of Palm Sunday), the Order of the Entrance into Heaven, commonly known as "Nahire" (the lights), revolves around the parable of the ten virgins, or bridesmaids (Matthew 25). The service commences with a procession with all lights off and the curtain of the altar drawn. The clergy and the faithful hold lit candles during the procession which gives the service its name. The service consists of prayers, hymns, and readings from the Holy Bible.

At the end of the service the celebrant stands in front of the closed curtain and chants " 'al Haw Tar'o" (At the outer door) three times, each time the deacons and the faithful repeating after him. Then the priest shouts thrice "Moran, Moran, Moran, Ftah Lan Tar'okh" (Our Lord, our Lord, our Lord. Open Your door to us) after which the lights in the church are dramatically turned on and simultaneously the curtain is opened. The clergy enter the altar with a hymn of rejoice "Tubayhun l-'abde Tobe" (Blessed are the good servants).

The Hymns in English:
At the outer door sat Simon (Peter) weeping and crying out:
"Master open your door, I am your disciple.
Heaven and earth weep for me because I have lost the keys of the kingdom."

Our Lord! Our Lord! Our Lord!
Open Your door to us.

Blessed are the good servants who, when their Master comes,
finds them keeping watch and working in His vineyard.
He binds His loins with a girdle and ministers to them
for they have labored with Him from morning to evening.
The Father makes His laborers to rest,
the Son ministers to them,
and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, weaves their crown, Halleluiah!
And puts it on their heads.

Recording: Syriac Musuic Choir Sweden.

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