Announcement for Resurrection Choir & Chanters: Updates to the "For Rehearsal ..." Resource Page

Fellow Resurrection Chanters:

Please note that the For Rehearsal ... resource page has been recently refreshed and updated.

There are two entries which are of current focus.

First, in this past Sunday's pre-DL chant rehearsal, we began working on the proper rendering of the Litanies of the Divine Liturgy as set in the People's Book. We now have a harmonized version of the responses for the Litany of Peace, the litany than begins the Divine Liturgy.

In addition, we would like to master the version of the Chant for Long Life, a/k/a "Mnohaja L'ita" referred to as the "Mukachevo" and/or "Ukrainian" version (you all recognize it as such).

Kindly let me know via email if you have any trouble accessing the files linked on the resource page.

October 1: Feast of St. Romanos the Melodist

In addition to being the Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, October 1st is also the Feast of St. Romanos the Melodist, patron saint of cantors, chanters & choirs in our tradition. As such, St. Romanos is also the patron saint of our chant group and this internet-based ministry.

The icon featured here commemorates the Feast of the Protection of the Theotokos (Pokrova), and St. Romanos the Melodist is depicted on the kliros beneath the Theotokos, despite having died some 355 years or so before this appearance (icons, being "windows to heaven", can transcend time). By tradition, the famous Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos is attributed to St. Romanos, and his musical and poetic talents are attributed to the intervention of the Mother of God herself.

St. Romanos served as a deacon in the Blachernae church of the Theotokos in Constantinople, the same Church in which the Theotokos later appeared on October 1, 911 (Pokrova). It was clear early on in his service that he had no real, natural talent as a reader or chanter. Nonetheless, he yearned with a strong desire to please God with hymns of praise.

The Theotokos appeared to St. Romanos in a dream with a scroll in her hand, which she instructed him to swallow. The next morning, he received a blessing from the Patriarch of Constantinople, who loved him for his great humility, and, from the ambon, chanted what became the Kontakion of the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord. The congregation and clergy present were amazed by the clarity of the theology of the hymn, and his newly sonorous voice! Tradition maintains that this was the first Kontakion ever written and chanted.

The two Feasts are thus well connected, and that connection is embraced in the iconography of the greater Feast of the Protection of the Theotokos as shown above.

So, we also honor the patron of cantors, chanters and choirs on this, the day of our patron's feast, and do so most appropriately in song by chanting and reflecting on the Troparion for his feast day:

Troparion (Tone 4)

You gladdened Christ's Church with your melodies like an inspired heavenly trumpet. You were enlightened by the Mother of God and shone on the world as God's poet. We lovingly honor you, O righteous Romanus.

October 1: Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos (Pokrova)

Tomorrow is the Feast of the Intercession, or Protection ("Pokrova") of the Most Holy Theotokos.

NOTE: As announced today at the Divine Liturgy and in our weekly bulletin, the feast will be observed with a Divine Liturgy scheduled at 9AM on Saturday, October 6, 2012.

A brief explanation of the origin of the feast is included in the Menaion, or book of the fixed cycle of the saints, for the month of October:

On October 1, 911, during the reign of emperor Leo the Wise, there was an all-night vigil in the Blachernae church of the Theotokos in Constantinople. Standing near the rear of the church was St. Andrew the Fool for Christ, and his disciple Epiphanius. At four o’clock in the morning, the Theotokos appeared above the people with a veil spread over her outstretched hands, as if to protect them. She was surrounded by angels and saints. Seeing this, Andrew asked his disciple, “Do you see the Queen and Lady of all is praying for the whole world?

source: Byzantine Monthly Menaion - Volume 2: October [Metropolitan Cantor Institute, Byzantine Catholic Seminary, Pittsburgh, PA, 2005]

It is said the Theotokos protected the faithful in the church that morning, and the people of the capitol city of Constantinople, from the onslaught of an invading barbarian army.

The Marian para-liturgical hymn, We Hasten to Your Patronage (Pod Tvoj Pokrov Pribihajem) is most commonly associated with this feast.

In preparation for the observance of the feast at our parish, we will publish hymns and propers for the Divine Liturgy later this week.

Hymns & Propers: Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost - September 30, 2012

Our outline of the hymns, propers and liturgical hymn selection (order of worship) for this Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost - September 30, 2012 - is available on the For the Faithful resource page.

Epistle - 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Gospel - Luke 6:31-36

Tone of the week = Tone 1

Also, as a reminder, we will be holding a chant group rehearsal before the Divine Liturgy in the choir loft from 10:15AM - 10:50AM. All interested in learning more about our blessed chant tradition are welcome to attend.

Hope to see you for another special Sunday morning at the Church of the Resurrection!

Chant Rehearsal - Everyone Welcome! (Sunday 9/30/2012)

Next Sunday - September 30, 2012 - we will have a short chant group rehearsal from 10:15AM-10:45AM in the choir loft, prior to the Divine Liturgy.

We will be covering different settings in the people's book, with an emphasis on litanies and harmonization of the responses.

In addition, we will be discussing possibilities for the upcoming holiday seasons (Christmas is just around the corner!).

All parishioners and guests are welcome to attend - please join us in the choir loft before Divine Liturgy.

While we would like to add members to the group, we are most interested first and foremost in promoting good congregational singing. So please don't be shy!