What is the official chant of the Greek Orthodox Church?

Byzantine chant, monophonic, or unison, liturgical chant of the Greek Orthodox church during the Byzantine Empire (330–1453) and down to the 16th century; in modern Greece the term refers to ecclesiastical music of any period.

Why do Orthodox say Theotokos save us?

However, death became dormition by Christ and more than all the Saints, the Theotokos, despite her “dormition”, continues to be present in the world with her uninterrupted protection. She helps and redeems us, advocates for our forgiveness and heals us mentally and physically each one personally and individually.

What is the Akathist to the Theotokos?

The Akathist is also known by the first three words of its prooimion (preamble), Te upermacho stratego (Τῇ ὑπερμάχῳ στρατηγῷ, “To you, invincible champion”) addressed to Holy Mary (Panagia Theotokos, “The all-holy birth-giver of God”).

What language is Byzantine chant?

Greek
Byzantine music (Greek: Βυζαντινή μουσική) is the music of the Byzantine Empire. Originally it consisted of songs and hymns composed to Greek texts used for courtly ceremonials, during festivals, or as paraliturgical and liturgical music.

Why do Orthodox churches chant?

That is the essential reason for chanting. Worship at its heart is a song and is beautiful; therefore the words of Orthodox worship cannot be simply said but must be melodiously chanted to express the true nature and purpose of the words.

What is a Paraklesis service?

A Paraklesis (Greek: Παράκλησις, Slavonic: молебенъ) or Supplicatory Canon in the Byzantine Rite, is a service of supplication for the welfare of the living.

What is a Supplicatory canon?

What is an Orthodox akathist?

Wikipedia. Akathist. An Akathist Hymn (Greek: Ἀκάθιστος Ὕμνος, “unseated hymn”) is a type of hymn usually recited by Eastern Orthodox or Eastern Catholic Christians, dedicated to a saint, holy event, or one of the persons of the Holy Trinity.

What is Byzantine music known for?

Byzantine music (Greek: Βυζαντινή μουσική) is the music of the Byzantine Empire. Originally it consisted of songs and hymns composed to Greek texts used for courtly ceremonials, during festivals, or as paraliturgical and liturgical music.

Why do Orthodox churches not use instruments?

The absence of a definite ruling on musical instruments in the canonical literature of the Orthodox Church points to the fundamentally economic nature of canon law: its function is to effect the salvation of believers, not to regulate mistakes and sins within the fold of the church.

What hymns are sung to the Theotokos?

There are many hymns that are sung to the Theotokos. The two following are from the Divine Liturgies of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great . From the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom : Ever blessed and most pure, and the Mother of our God.

Why is Mary called the Theotokos?

Because Mary is the mother of God the Son, she is therefore duly entitled Theotokos . Calling Mary the Theotokos or the Mother of God (Μητηρ Θεου) was never meant to suggest that Mary was coeternal with God, or that she existed before Jesus Christ or God existed.

Who is the Theotokos?

As a title for the Virgin Mary, Theotokos was recognized by the Orthodox Church at Third Ecumenical Council held at Ephesus in 431. It had already been in use for some time in the devotional and liturgical life of the Church.

Is the Virgin Theotokos or theanthropos?

Rather, these titles for the Virgin are an affirmation that the Christ contained in her womb is indeed God, the Theanthropos (“God-man”). She is not his origin nor the source of the Godhead, but she did quite literally give birth to God. If we affirm that Jesus Christ is God, then we must call her Theotokos, for she gave birth to God himself.