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A paraklesis is a service of supplication specifically for the living (as opposed to a Memorial Service, which is a supplication for the departed). This service is most often addressed to the Theotokos, but may be used to seek the intercessions of any saint. The distinguishing feature of a paraklesis is the inclusion of a supplicatory canon to the saint whose intercessions are being sought. (https://orthodoxwiki.org/Paraklesis)
In 1995, the St Philip's Choir, under the direction of Kh Joyce Black, recorded a cassette of Christmas Hymns. That cassette is no longer available, but offered here are mp3 files of those recordings. Enjoy!
Pentecost (.mp3)
1 Corinthians 8:8 - 9:2 (.mp3)
-PDF of the tones (provided for our chanting workshop, March 2013; 180 pages)
-Apichima sheet (pdf)
-Formulae for the Byzantine tones (pdf)
-Sound recording of the Greek Scale and all the Apichimas (.mp3)
Byzantine Notation instruction
Click here to download an interactive book by Ioannis Margaziotis that teaches you how to read Byzantine music notation without a teacher. It is interactive because you can hear a recording of each exercise being chanted by pressing the paper clip button beside it. For those who do not know Greek, abbreviated explanations in English are accessed by clicking the yellow speech bubbles. If your internet connection is slow, the book may take while to download.
The Antiochian Archdiocese has provided updated versions of "God is the Lord." The St Philip's choir will be learning these new settings and using them in Matins soon. Listen or download here.
Pray your way through Holy Week with Orthodox Hymnography (text of concert hymns)
Hymns of Holy Week & Pascha - Listen or download here.
Holy Week / Passion
Lazarus Saturday Troparion - Byzantine (Tone 1, Karam)
Rejoice, O Bethany
Alleluia, Behold the Bridegroom, and Verily, I behold thy chamber, from Bridegroom Matins
Verily, this present day (sung in Arabic)
Of Thy mystical supper - Russian (Obikhod tone 6)
The Wise Thief - Aprahamian
Today he is suspended - Kazan
Lamentations - Stasis 1, Stasis 2, Stasis 3
Do not lament me, O Mother - Russian
The Noble Joseph - Bulgarian
The Great Moses - Byzantine (Tone 6)
Joseph with Nicodemus - Pskov melody (H Benigsen)
Pascha / Resurrection
Arise O God - Russian (Turchaninov)
Pascha Kontakion - Byzantine (Tone 8, harmonized; Karam)
The Angel Cried - Russian (Belakirev)
This is the day of Resurrection - (sung in Arabic)
Christ is risen - (Sung first in English with Greek, Russian, Arabic, Ukrainian, Serbian, Arabic, Georgian, and Romanian melodies; then in Greek, Arabic, Russian, and Romanian.)
Recessional
O Lord of Hosts
Listen or Download Here.
O House of Ephratha - Valaam Chant with Canonarch (Soloist)
Old Testament Prophecies of Christ's Birth
At the Beauty - Byzantine Chant, 3rd Tone - Arranged by J Black
Reflecting on the Annunciation (Evangelism) of the Virgin Mary
The Virgin Cometh Today - Byzantine Chant, 3rd Tone, Arranged by F Karam
A Preparatory Hymn for the Feast inviting all to come to worship.
The First Canon of Christmas - Byzantine Chant, 1st Tone, Arranged by Bp. Basil Essey
Antiphonally sung, reflecting on the fulfillment of the Prophecies of Christ's Coming.
Megalynarion of Christmas - Byzantine Chant, 1st Tone, Arranged by Dr. F. Karam
Troparion of the Nativity - Serbian Chant, 4th Tone, Arranged by Fr. Theodore Heckman
Kontakion of the Nativity - Russian Choral Music, by D. Bortniansky
Exapostilarion of the Nativity - Byzantine Chant, Special Melody, 3rd Tone, Arranged by J. Black
Koinonikon (Communion Hymn) of the the Nativity - Russian Chant, Fr. Sergei Glagolev
Koinonikon (Communion Hymn) of the the Nativity - Ukrainian Chant
There was Great Rejoicing - Carpatho-Russian Christmas Carol
Non-Liturgical Spiritual Song
Angels in Heaven - Melody as sung by the nuns of the Monastery of the Dormition in Estonia
Non-Liturgical Spiritual Song
Heaven and Earth - Carpatho-Russian Christmas Carol
Non-Liturgical Spiritual Song
Song to Saint Nicholas - Non-Liturgical Spiritual Song
Audio Files for this concert can be played or downloaded from here. (All concert files are .mp3)
Program:
Welcome
O Holy Apostle Philip
Christ's Context - Prophecies of the Messiah's Coming
Blessed is the man (select verses of Ps 1-3; M. Bailey, composer; sung at Vespers)
At thy right hand (Ps 44/45; Georgian Chant)
Let my prayer arise (Ps 140/141; Kievan Chant; Bortnianksy, composer)
Christ's Life
Annunciation (Lk. 1:26-38)
- Rejoice, O Virgin (Rachmaninov)
Nativity (Matt 1:18 - 2:23 and Lk. 2:1-20)
- Troparion (Serbian Melody; arr. T. Heckman)
Dedication (Lk. 2:22-28)
- Lord, Now Lettest (Russian Polyphony; Arkangelsky, composer; sung at Vespers)
Baptism (Mt. 3:13-17, Mk. 1:9-11, Lk. 3:21-23, Jn. 1:29-34)
- Troparion of Theophany (Byzantine Chant, Tone 1; arr. F. Karam)
Teaching (Sermon on the Mount, Matt 5-7)
- Beatitudes (Russian Plain Chant, tone 1)
- Lord's Prayer (Russian Plain Chant; arr. Rimsky-Korsakov)
Transfiguration (Mt. 17:1-15, Mk. 9:2-13, Lk. 9:28-36)
- Troparion (Byzantine, Tone 7; arr. J. Black)
Entrance into Jerusalem (Mt. 21:1-9, Mk. 11:1-11, Lk. 19:28-44, Jn. 12:12-19)
- Rejoice, O Bethany (Byzantine Chant, Tone 6)
Passion (Mt. 21-26, Mk. 11-14, Lk. 20-22, Jn. 12-18)
- Alleluia and Behold, the Bridegroom (Byzantine Chant, Tone 8; arr. B. Kazan)
Crucifixion (Mt. 27, Mk. 15, Lk. 23, Jn. 19)
- Today He is Suspended (Byzantine Chant, Tone 8; arr. B. Kazan)
Burial (Mt. 27, Mk. 15, Lk. 23, Jn. 19)
- Lamentations (Byzantine Chant, Tone 3)
- Do not lament me, O Mother (Russian; Znamenny Chant)
Resurrection (Mt. 28, Mk. 16, Lk. 24, Jn. 20-21)
- Evlogetaria (Byzantine Chant, Tone 5, sung at Sunday Matins; arr. B. Kazan)
- Christ is Risen (Greek, Russian, and Arabic Melodies; sung for the 40 days of Pascha)
- The Angel Cried (Russian Chant; Balakirev composer)
Recessional
Praise Ye the Name of the Lord (Ps. 134/135; Archangelsky, composer; arr. J. Black)
A New Commandment (John 13:34; Carpatho-Russian Chant; arr. Abp. Job)
Hymns recorded by our Handmaidens (spring 2013) - Listen or download here.
Through the Intercessions - First Antiphon - Tone Two
Save Us, O Son of God - Second Antiphon and Only Begotten Son - Tone Two
O Holy Apostle Philip - Apolytikion of the Holy Apostle Philip - Tone Three
O Undisputed Intercessor - Kontakion of the Theokos - Tone Four
Holy God - Trisagion Hymn - Tone Three, Antiochian Melody
It is Truly Meet - Megalynarion - Tone Eight
Praise the Lord from the Heavens - Communion Hymn - Tone Eight
I will Take the Cup of Salvation - Communion Hymn - Tone Five
O Give Thanks to the Lord - Polyeleos - Tone One
We have Seen the True Light - Post-Communion Hymn - Tone Eight
While the Stone - Apolytikion of the Resurrection - Tone One
When Thou didst Submit Thyself - Apolytikion of the Resurrection - Tone Two
Let the Heavens Rejoice - Apolytikion of the Resurrection - Tone Three
Having Learned the Joyful Message - Apolytikion of the Resurrection - Tone Four
Let us Believers Praise - Apolytikion of the Resurrection - Tone Five
When Mary Stood at Thy Grave - Apolytikion of the Resurrection - Tone Six
Thou didst Shatter Death - Apolytikion of the Resurrection - Tone Seven
From the Heights Thou didst Descend - Apolytikion of the Resurrection - Tone Eight
Christ is Risen - Apolytikion of Pascha - Slow Tone Five
Christ is Risen - Apolytikion of Pascha - Russian Tone Five
Christ is Risen - Apolytikion of Pascha - Fast Tone Five
O Lord Save Thy People - Apolytikion of the Cross - Tone One
More Honorable - Ninth Ode from Matins - Tone Four
Rejoice O Virgin - Angelic Greeting - Tone Five
Those Who Love Nicholas the Saintly - Para-Liturgical Carpatho-Russian Carol
Youth Choir: Sunday after Transfiguration Divine Liturgy, August 10, 2014
Youth Choir: Presanctified Liturgy March 21, 2012
(Liturgy begins at 1:45. You may need to turn the volume up.)
Hymn of Kassiani (.mp3)
Let My Prayer Arise (.mp3)
Beginning of Liturgy (.wma)
Praise the Lord (.wma)
Jesus Has Risen from the Tomb (.wma)
Save Us (.wma)
Shine, O Shine (.wma)
When Thou Didst Fall Asleep (.wma)
End of Liturgy (.wma)
Come Take Light from the Light & Procession (.wma)
Paschal Homily of St John Chrysostom (.mp3)
Bright Monday Paschal Vespers (.mp3)
Bright Tuesday Paschal Vespers (.mp3)
Bright Thursday Liturgy (.mp3)
Thanks to all who attended our
Holy Week & Pascha Choir Concert!
Presented by
St. Philip Parish Choir
A Celebration of the Saving Work of Jesus Christ in the a cappella hymnody of the Orthodox Church
Video of the event is available on our YouTube channel here!
