Oriental Orthodox Music

[Salpy]

This is something chanted every Sunday in the Armenian Church, by the deacons standing around the altar:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bPvIW1x_OMM

 

[Salpy]

Famous Armenian singer, Lucine Zakarian, is heard in this video.  The hymn played here, Horjham, is not a hymn you hear every Sunday, but rather on certain feast days:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=cO77g4mRHm8

 

[Salpy]

A Coptic Nativity hymn, E-Parthenos, in English and Arabic:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=AmFZg_89wO4

 

[Salpy]

Some beautiful chanting from the Coptic midnight praise service:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_YYgScw-fSU&feature=related

 

[Amdetsion]

Some beautiful chanting from the Coptic midnight praise service:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_YYgScw-fSU&feature=related

I agree. Beautiful!

I ran into trouble with a person or two that I emailed the link to. I forget how badly many people see the protestant, secular style 'pictures' that the Copitc Church chooses to use on and in some or certain of its media material.

I have so much of it I no longer notice.

Certain people are hyper sensitive to seeing 'western' images on, in or relating to eastern material. The Coptic tradtional Icons are accepted among this same group of people I know for example.

Anyway they did love the hyms.

These same people love the Coptic people and the blessed Coptic Holy Christian Traditions. Most of these people are American born converts to Orthodoxy of African ancestry. They expect to 'see' eastern tradition and are shocked and disappointed that we (Ethiopian churches as well) use such images at times or in certain situations.

My work is almost all missionary among converts. So I am obligated to reach them. I get so much support from the Coptic Church with this effort.

It is amazing how a small thing to us we do not even see the convert sees in bold colors.

WE must be alert to this somehow.

Thanks!

 

[Salpy]

I think all of our Churches over the last couple of centuries became exposed to Western religious art and in many places began using it.  That is definitely true of the Armenian Church.  I am thankful that in Armenia now they have set up schools of iconography where young people are learning the old style.  I know the Copts are also reviving their iconographic tradition.  Let's pray that this continues.

It's great that you are e-mailing these links to people.  I always believed that one of the best witnesses to the Christian faith is our music. 

 

[_Seraphim_]

I ran into trouble with a person or two that I emailed the link to. I forget how badly many people see the protestant, secular style 'pictures'...

Certain people are hyper sensitive to seeing 'western' images on, in or relating to eastern material...

American born converts to Orthodoxy... expect to 'see' eastern tradition and are shocked and disappointed that we (Ethiopian churches as well) use such images at times or in certain situations...

It is amazing how a small thing to us we do not even see the convert sees in bold colors...

WE must be alert to this somehow.

Americans are raised with the understanding that Christianity is an exclusively Western European religion that has been historically racist against all non-European races and cultures. 

Our contemporary culture presents us this view:
Ancient Christianity = Papism/Romanism, Crusades, Inquisition, mass extermination of indigenous culture.....
Modern Christianity = Protestantism, slavery, endless quarrels, emotionalism

One of the most common complaints about "Christian art" is that Jesus is always depicted as a blond-haired blue-eyed Western European... in the renaissance, emotional, photo-realistic style.  Most white Americans are ashamed of Western European history (mostly all the things done in the name of "Christianity") and most black Americans are (understandably) very bitter.  So, when you have a country full of people who are both ashamed and bitter about most anything Western European/"Christian"... but who are still seeking Christ, they are SO EXCITED to finally find anything from "eastern"/Orthodox Christianity.  They finally feel liberated from their shame and bitterness.  HOWEVER, when all of a sudden they see this new, fresh, pristine "eastern" world tainted with the dreaded "western" culture it causes all that shame and bitterness to come rising back to the surface... giving a feeling of "I KNEW it was too good to be true!"

 

[_Seraphim_]

I am thankful that in Armenia now they have set up schools of iconography where young people are learning the old style.  I know the Copts are also reviving their iconographic tradition.

Glory to God! 

Let's pray that this continues.

Amen!  Lord have mercy!

It's great that you are e-mailing these links to people.  I always believed that one of the best witnesses to the Christian faith is our music. 

Most definitely 

 

[Amdetsion]

Americans are raised with the understanding that Christianity is an exclusively Western European religion that has been historically racist against all non-European races and cultures. 

Our contemporary culture presents us this view:
Ancient Christianity = Papism/Romanism, Crusades, Inquisition, mass extermination of indigenous culture.....
Modern Christianity = Protestantism, slavery, endless quarrels, emotionalism

One of the most common complaints about "Christian art" is that Jesus is always depicted as a blond-haired blue-eyed Western European... in the renaissance, emotional, photo-realistic style.  Most white Americans are ashamed of Western European history (mostly all the things done in the name of "Christianity") and most black Americans are (understandably) very bitter.  So, when you have a country full of people who are both ashamed and bitter about most anything Western European/"Christian"... but who are still seeking Christ, they are SO EXCITED to finally find anything from "eastern"/Orthodox Christianity.  They finally feel liberated from their shame and bitterness.  HOWEVER, when all of a sudden they see this new, fresh, pristine "eastern" world tainted with the dreaded "western" culture it causes all that shame and bitterness to come rising back to the surface... giving a feeling of "I KNEW it was too good to be true!"

Seraphim my good brother!

Thank you ofr your very clear and concise way of explaining this issue. It is very well put.

I may need to use this explanation one day !

You hit the point right on.

Thanks.

God bless you +

 

[Orthodox11]

Ethiopian pop star Teddy Afro (Tewodros Kassahun) singing Orthodox mezmur  ;D: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzl8LWjZgsE

Would one of our Amharic speakers be able to give a translation?

 

[Andrew21091]

Here are two wonderful Ethiopian songs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx9mt0sP5tg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HLeMkfdDFI

 

[Amdetsion]

Ethiopian pop star Teddy Afro (Tewodros Kassahun) singing Orthodox mezmur  ;D: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzl8LWjZgsE

Would one of our Amharic speakers be able to give a translation?

Traditionally Orthodox songs are sung in all Ge'ez; not Amarinya. It sounds like this recording is using both Ge'ez and Amarinya; mixed.

It is a very powerful song I must say. Starting with excerpts from 'our father prayer' and then transitions into the Ethiopian Orthodox prayer to the Holy Virgin not the whole prayer but in peaces. Rather creatively. The song sways along with points of God our savior, "descended from david" and so on.

The song appeals to the Mother of God to intercede for mankind.

It is a very penitent piece. I have never heard sung this way. The arrangement is not Orthodox but secular Ethiopian traditional. The arrangement used is usually used with love songs and such which is Tedy Afros fame. As such many conservative Ethiopians will not look too favorably upon the song for this reason.

I feel the song is challenging to listen to.

I was surprised. Very surprised.

I beleive the artists is trying to test the waters of how far he can go. Maybe he may think that this style of mewze'ka will replace traditional 'mez'mewr' or add to it even if only to reach the younger generation. I do not know.

I am a conservative and feel that the artist is reaching a little bit far and should be careful with what he is doing.

Art is art and Holy is Holy. These are not good mixes to me.

Rome got caught in this mixing of art and holy tradition and produced many good things I imagine but also has to live with the reputation of 'art' in regard to its religious artifacts which is unfortunate. The Cisteen Chaple is to me a really difficult experience. The paintings are outragious and provocative but at the same time have a intent to express 'holyness'. This same thing happened with choral and liturgical chant in the western church which is now viewed as 'art' as well do the the large scale use of these religious forms in secular venues such as Opera and so-called 'classical' music.

I prefer to keep sacred sacred.

 

[_Seraphim_]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOSWpV2JbfY

Church of Christ The Savior in Shushi, Karabakh (Artsakh)

The Christian monuments of Shushi are at last free from vandals and in the hands of their rightful owners being restored to it its past.  The church of Christ The Savior, which is a centerpiece of the city, was in undignified by years of disrepair, vandalism, and destruction under Azeri rule. During the Azeri-Karabakh war, the church was turned into ammunition depot of rockets used for daily shelling of capital Stepanakert.  However, after liberation of Shushi by Armenian forces of Karabakh, the church of Christ the Savior was restored and put back in service for locals. This video has remarkable footage of the first moments, when the church was liberated and restored.

This video brought :'( of joy.

 

[Salpy]

Another Armenian hymn sung by Lucine Zakarian:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djoq5OalnOI

 

[Salpy]

Here is some chanting recorded in India:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWjG4Y9jpPA&NR=1

 

[Salpy]

From a Good Friday service in a Syriac Orthodox Cathedral:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sFw2yZIhyA&feature=related

The chanting is gorgeous, and also note the symbolism in the service, including what I think is supposed to represent the sealing of Christ's Body in the Holy Tomb.

 

[_Seraphim_]

From a Good Friday service in a Syriac Orthodox Cathedral:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sFw2yZIhyA&feature=related

Wow, thanks!  I've had a Syrian chant album for years with this song on it.  It is wonderful to actually SEE it being sung in a church... and quite a joy to be able to sing along! 

 

[alexp4uni]

From a Good Friday service in a Syriac Orthodox Cathedral:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sFw2yZIhyA&feature=related

The chanting is gorgeous, and also note the symbolism in the service, including what I think is supposed to represent the sealing of Christ's Body in the Holy Tomb.

Somehow the Syrians on the commenting board were a little touchy when the curtain was closed and the camera was still on.

 

[Salpy]

Wow!  I just saw the comments under the video.  I hadn't noticed those before.  I would think, however, that the video would not have been published without the knowledge and consent of a priest or the bishop.  I think the entity publishing it was the cathedral.

 

[Andrew21091]

http://www.stantonymonastery.org/psalmody.asp

Coptic chant in English sung by the monks of St. Anthony's Monastery in California.

 

[minasoliman]

http://www.stantonymonastery.org/psalmody.asp

Coptic chant in English sung by the monks of St. Anthony's Monastery in California.

Actually, while this was guided by the Monastery, most of the voices were normal lower ranking deacons (like singers and readers), many of them I know and met.

The one who said "Amen! Alleluia! Kyrie Eleison!" before the Hooses would be the late HG Bishop Karas, the previous Abbott of the monastery, a very holy man I and many others have loved personally, truly a saint.

It is a blessing to hear his recorded voice in the Psalmody.

 

[_Seraphim_]

http://www.stantonymonastery.org/psalmody.asp

Coptic chant in English sung by the monks of St. Anthony's Monastery in California.

Awesome!  Thanks for sharing.  So wonderful to have both discs available for free download!

 

[Salpy]

Here is Only Begotten Son and the Immortal Word of God (O Monogenes) in Malayalam:

http://www.imeem.com/people/CnAF6pb/music/uo64Piuh/038ninmaathavump3/

I got this link from our poster dhinuus in this thread:

http://www.orthodoxchristianity.net/forum/index.php/topic,17446.msg254056.html#new

 

[_Seraphim_]

Ethiopian New Year spirtiual song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5aL9l8a--o

 

[Salpy]

About 40 seconds into this video you can hear the vesting hymn that is sung at the beginning of the liturgy when the priest enters the church.  This is the same hymn that was sung in the link posted in reply #159 of this thread.  However, this one is sung by a choir and its melody is the melody which you typically would hear in an Armenian parish church:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxUPoHHum6w

 

[Salpy]

Some beautiful chanting and hymns from the end of an Indian Orthodox liturgy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0XuR3udUXc&NR=1

 

[Salpy]

Another beautiful mezmur:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTOXZOQCva8

 

[Salpy]

This is a recording of the hymn sung during the Kiss of Peace in the Armenian Church.  The hymn is ancient, but the music in this recording was written by Gomidas Vartabed, about one hundred years ago.  The recording starts with the deacon calling for the Kiss of Peace, and advising those who are outside the doors and can't partake to pray.  This, of course, goes back to the days when those doing penance were not allowed in the nave during the Eucharistic part of the liturgy.

If you click onto "more info," you get the translation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjbTAA9XteI

 

[Salpy]

Syriac hymn, Haw Nurone, sung by deacons:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKcPXrJaiW0&feature=related

The words to the prayer can be seen by clicking on "more info."

 

[OrthodoxPilgrim]

The Syriac Hymn: "O Habibi" usually sung on Good Friday......I fondly remember singing this church in Malayalam in the Mar Thomite Church....the words that such that will surely bring tears...I believe the same is sung in Arabic and is sung in the Eastern Catholic church as well.......

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6aIEHPM2mw

 

[OrthodoxPilgrim]

I don't know if anyone has posted this already, but it's the "Ave Maria" in Syriac..."Shlomo Lech Mariam"

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FHID7QAY0E

 

[Salpy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6yguKvKCO4

Above is a Syriac prayer, Ebke, Ebke, sung by a monk of St. Ephraim Monastery in Syria.  The translation is included under "more info."

 

[Andrew21091]

The Syriac Hymn: "O Habibi" usually sung on Good Friday......I fondly remember singing this church in Malayalam in the Mar Thomite Church....the words that such that will surely bring tears...I believe the same is sung in Arabic and is sung in the Eastern Catholic church as well.......

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6aIEHPM2mw

Lord have mercy. That is so beautiful.

 

[Salpy]

I think this guy is trying to do something artsy with the traditional hymns of the Armenian Church.  I'm not sure how I feel about it.  It is interesting, though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEZyHIhe_9E

 

[Salpy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa3Ev9fcAps

Above is some beautiful and joyful singing at a Coptic mission in Zambia.

 

[Salpy]

Prayers for mercy by an Armenian choir in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeoYVrFk1Vo

 

[OrthodoxPilgrim]

A very moving prayer by Coptic monks from a monastery in California.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRFM1n6sI6Q

In Christ,

+

 

[Salpy]

I think this is a Syriac hymn attributed to St. Ephrem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeqURwDo3K0

 

[minasoliman]

I think this is a Syriac hymn attributed to St. Ephrem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeqURwDo3K0

http://www.orthodoxchristianity.net/forum/index.php/topic,9840.msg249975.html#msg249975 

 

[OrthodoxPilgrim]

I am positive that this has been pasted here already. But I need to post it again....this is incredibly moving....

The Armenian Hymn "Der Voghormya" ("Lord Have Mercy")


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CxIqYGHztU


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