The Origin of the Western Five

[Paul Younan]

I'm glad we seem to agree Akhi, and have cleared up our misunderstandings. Scripture is for the benefit of the Faithful and is a great resource for all of us.

I leave you with this ancient Aramaic Acrostic (starting with successive letters of the alphabet) Hymn that is sung during every worship service. It is a very interesting hymn in that despite its brevity, the words convey the entire Gospel message necessary for the salvation of the soul. It is chanted by the entire assembly immediately before the reading from the Gospel.

Aleph

Aw dam'mhay'min (He who believes)
b'Awa w'Awra w'Rukha d'Qudha (in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit)
Taw Sawth Milleh (Come, listen to the words)
d'Masyan Paghrah (that strengthen the body)
w'Makhyan Naphsha (and give life to the soul)

Beth

Brah d'Alaha (the Son of God)
Hwa Akh Nasha Bith Bnai Nasha (became a man among the sons of men)
w'aw'Puqdaneh Shra la'Khtitha (and with his command loosened the sin)
Min Bnai Nasha (from the sons of men)

Gamel

Gazza d'Rukha (the treasures of the Spirit)
Pthakh Qudmaykon (open before you)
Mamla Hana (these words)
w'Amla Kuleh Khaye w'Tuweh Kthawa Hana (and this book are filled with life and blessings)

Daleth

Dayweh Arkin (the devils scatter)
w'Sheedee Napkin Min Dikhiltha (and the demons proceed in fear)
Ma d'Shameen Lah (when they hear)
l'Hade Miltha Makhyaneetha (this life-giving Word)

Heh

Hanu Mamle (these are the words)
d'En Shateen Leh (that if reject)
Khayeh Mayten (the living, they shall die)
Hanu Qala (this is the Voice)
d'En Shameen Leh (that if hear)
Meeteh Khayeen (the dead, they shall live)

Waw

Waleh d'Tedeon (it is necessary that you know)
d'Kulhon Ammeh (that all the peoples)
Beh MithParqin (through Him are saved)
w'Haymen w'Ashar (and believe and confess)
d'Khulhon Khtaheh (that all their sins)
Beh Mishtawqin (through Him are forgiven)

Zayin

Zarowa n'Paq (the Sower went out)
d'Khlap Zaraa (that instead of seed)
Nizrow Miltha (He should sow the Word)
Khlap Aaraa (instead of earth)
Qarbu Qdamhu Libbawatha (offer to Him your hearts)

Kheth

Khayeh w'Tuweh (Life and Blessings)
Khnana w'Rakhmeh (Forgiveness and Mercy)
Aithu Mamle (are His words)
w'Sawra l'Khaye (and the Hope of Eternal Life)
w'Khaye l'Meethe (and Eternal Life to the dead)
Aithu Qaleh (is His voice)

Teth

Tuwa l'Ayna (blessed is he)
d'Haymen Beh (who believes in Him)
w'Mashar Miltheh (and keeps his Word)
d'En Meeth Khayeh (for if he is dead, he shall live)
w'En Khay la n'Muth (and if he is living, he shall not die)
b'Sakhilwatheh (in his sins)

Yodh

Yikhidaya (the Singular)
Brah d'Alaha (the Son of God)
l'Alma Etha (came to the world)
l'Al Min Kyana (contrary to nature)
l'bar Min Eyada (without conception)
Denkha Min Bitultha (shone forth from the virgin)

Kaph

Kreehee Asee (the sick He healed)
w'Garbeh Dakke (the lepers He cleansed)
w'Dayweh Apeq (and devils he drove out)
w'Al Mawtha Zkha (and He submitted Himself to death)
w'Meeth w'Khaya w'Qam (and He died, and lived and rose again)
wal'Shmaya Sliq (and to Heaven He ascended)

Resh

Rukha Shaddar (the Spirit He sent)
l'Talmidow (to his Disciples)
w'Khaqem Ennon (and He enlightened them)
w'Al Arbaa Pinyan (and toward the four directions)
l'Am Sabbaru (that they should preach)
Shaddar Ennon (He sent them)

Hasha (Mattai, Marqus, Luqa, Yukhanan) (Now the Evangelist)
Metargim Aylen da'khza wa'Shma (interprets the things which he saw and heard)
Ayna Hakel d'Ethleh Edneh (he, therefore, who has ears)
d'Nishma Nishma (to hear, let him hear)