Citizen Columns
Question
How do you think music contributes to your religious tradition? What are the most important pieces of music?
Answer
We knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth.” That’s what 10th century Slavic visitors to St Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople reported back to Prince Vladimir of Kyiv. And it was music, intertwined with the elaborate order of liturgy, the bright vestments, the incense that conveyed this sense of laying aside all earthly cares, entering a transcendent realm and coming into the presence of God.
The Orthodox churches have an ancient and varied musical history, and virtually everything in public worship is sung or chanted by choirs, congregations or chanters, and almost always without accompaniment (though Copts will use tiny cymbals and Ethiopians have drums). Singing and chanting free-up the spirit and emotions to worship with heart and soul as well as mind. This is why we don’t have a low mass or read service. Even when there are only two or three, we sing. The music director is therefore the key person to ensure that the worship is sung beautifully and prayerfully, with attention both to the words and to the melodies that foster the kind of atmosphere that Prince Vladimir’s envoys experienced. But it’s not meant to be a concert, and it is prayer that renders this music glory to God.
The individual believer who comes to church prepared to worship God will transform what they hear and turn it into prayer, even if the music isn’t perfect. I recall a liturgy at which I was serving as the priest: the choir was off-key, the building was cold and damp, the icons not especially beautiful, and the sermon (mine) was lacklustre. And at the end a woman came up to me with glowing eyes and said how wonderful it all had been! The most important music corresponds to the key services and seasons of the year: the Divine Liturgy, Vespers, Matins, Holy Week, Easter, Christmas, Epiphany.
To listen to some of the wide range of music from the Orthodox traditions go online to Ancient Faith Radio.
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