Hymns that Changed the Church

St. Yared’s gift shone in creating three sacred zema tones—Ge’ez, Ezel, and Araray—each with a mood for the church’s seasons. Tradition says Ge’ez was bright and joyful, fitting feasts like Timkat; Ezel was somber, suiting Lent’s repentance; and Araray was joyful, ideal for Pascha’s resurrection. Tradition says Yared dreamed these tones under a starry sky, as if God inspired their patterns for every prayer. Tradition says when he sang them at a liturgy in St. Mary of Zion, monks felt the music deepen their worship.

These tones transformed Ethiopia’s prayers. Before Yared, churches chanted in one style, but his system gave each moment its own voice, enlivening services. Tradition says a boy, asleep during a vigil, woke to Araray’s hopeful notes and sang with joy. Yared’s tones spread across Ethiopia, and tradition says Coptic liturgies shared similar rhythms, reflecting shared traditions. For children, these tones are vivid expressions, making Christ’s story shine through Yared’s God-given gift.