From the Organist & Choirmaster

This Sunday, Septuagesima Sunday, the parish choir will sing a Russian Orthodox Hymn at Communion. The text comes almost entirely from The Beatitudes, with the Antiphon being a bit different, “Remember your servants, Lord.” Russian Liturgical Music is the musical tradition of the Russian Orthodox Church which began with the importation of the Byzantine Empire’s religious music when the Kievan Rus converted to Orthodoxy in 988. This particular Orthodox Hymn is in a Kievan style and is common to the Russian and Ukrainian Orthodox Church, coming from the 17th century. Kievan chant is a simplified version of znamenny chant (which sounds similar to Gregorian chant). This form of chant takes a very simple melody and harmonizes it and simply repeats over and over again as the scripture is sung. I find it to be very relaxing and inspiring, it makes it easy to mediate on the holiness of Christ's words in the Beatitudes. Here is the text:

Remember your servants, Lord, when you come in your kingly power. Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn; for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when the world reviles you and persecutes you; and utters all kings of evil against you falsely for my sake: Rejoice and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven.