Update of the article about Byzantine music theory for Western musicians.
This is a four-page primer on the music theory of the Byzantine Octoechos taught through the medium of some short and clever mnemonic melodies. This is a very easy way to be introduced to the Tones and their modes.
USE POLICY: Visitors to this website are hereby given permission to download our copyrighted music and reproduce as many copies as they need, as long as they do not alter the English texts and their melodic lines, with the exception of changing Renaissance pronouns (thee, thou, etc.) and their associated verbs to modern English. Furthermore, permission is given to make arrangements of this music as long as the English texts and their melodic lines remain intact, and that "N. Takis" is accredited for the English setting, and the copyright information for Nancy Chalker Takis is given on the first page of the arrangement alongside any other copyrights on the arrangement. Remember, if you wish to suggest changes in the text or melodic lines, please contact us at takistan@yahoo.com. If you wish to donate to the perpetuation of this website, you can contribute at the address on this page.
Attention Users of Macintosh Computers: The Mac OS X Preview program will not read some PDF files made by Windows machines. If your downloads don't read correctly, get the Adobe Reader for Macintosh. You can download it HERE.
PRINTING FROM ADOBE READER - SPECIAL NOTE: When you print a hard copy from Adobe Reader, please be sure that the "Page Scaling" setting is "None." If not, your document may be reduced in size and the margins widened. It should not be necessary to shrink these files.
FOR THOSE OUTSIDE OF NORTH AMERICA - INTERNATIONAL PAPER SIZES:
If you are printing a document formatted for the American "letter-sized" paper (most hymns), use the A4 printer setting. For "legal-sized" documents, (most booklets) use B4. Using A4 and B4 will cause a wider margin at the top and bottom of the pages. Some time in the future, I will attempt to reformat all documents to the international paper sizes and offer an option.
SPECIAL NOTE TO THOSE WHO DOWNLOAD FROM THIS WEBSITE:
I AM CONSTANTLY ADDING, UPDATING, AND CORRECTING FILES. SINCE I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR ENTERING THE MUSIC INTO THE COMPUTER AND FOR MAINTAINING THE WEBSITE, I OCCASIONALLY MAKE ERRORS UNINTENDED BY THE TRANSLATOR / ARRANGER. WE PREFER THE LATEST VERSIONS WITH CORRECTIONS TO BE USED BY CHURCHES, SO IF YOU HAVE MADE DOWNLOADS BEFORE THE DATE POSTED ABOVE, PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE UPDATED VERSIONS AND REPLACE THE OLD ONES.
THANK YOU.
--STAN TAKIS
FOR A LIST OF THE VERY LATEST UPDATES GO TO OUR MESSAGE BOARD:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/greekorthodoxmusic
TO DOWNLOAD: Click on the title of the hymn using the RIGHT mouse button and select the option:
Save Target as... Click on the hymn with the left mouse button if you want to see it displayed in Adobe Reader. Zipped files will have to be downloaded and unzipped before they can be read or printed out in Adobe Reader. Sometimes the display in Adobe Reader is a little fuzzy and does not depict the actual high quality of resolution when printed.
THE MUSIC FILES:
THE DIVINE LITURGY
The Divine Liturgy of our Father Among the Saints, John Chrysostom
in Greek and English, Plagal Fourth Tone ZIPPED MIDI FILES
The Divine Liturgy, Plagal First Tone version ZIPPED MIDI FILES
This liturgy is totally written in chant, in Greek and English, in Western staff notation.
It is in 8.5 x 11 form, with side-by-side columns for easy switching between languages.
This liturgy contains simplified melodies familiar to American churches for lay choirs and congregations. Included in the Plagal Fourth version are a Memorial service and an Artoklasia (Breaking of the Bread) service.
The Divine Liturgy Pew Book and Hymnal
This pew book correllates to the two modal liturgies above. It contains the text of the Divine Liturgy in one section, then in another section contains a hymnal which has all of the music from both settings. It also includes the Resurrectional apolytikia, the normal kontakion, memorial hymns, artoklasia hymn, and the hymn for a hierarch (Ton Dhespotin), and a selection of hymns from the Menaion, Triodion, and Pentecostarion..
This file is in booklet form for legal-sized paper. You must set your printer for 8.5 x 14 paper, and after printing out the sheets, reproduce them as two-sided copy, collated as a booklet that folds in the middle. Cut the copies in half, combine the front and back parts of the book, and have the book spirally bound. Download a copy formatted for letter-sized paper here.
The Divine Liturgy Pew Book and Hymnal with Greek transliteration, Plagal Fourth Tone
The Divine Liturgy Pew Book and Hymnal with Greek transliteration, Plagal First Tone
This is the same as the above pew book, but in the text portion of the book, a center column has been added with the Greek phonetics for the audible parts of the liturgy. There are two hymnsals, one with the Plagal 4th liturgy and the other with the Plagal 1st liturgy. The rest of the hymnal is the same.
The Divine Liturgy of our Father Among the Saints, John Chrysostom
in 3-part harmony and chant MP3 PAGE: Listen to and download mp3's of this liturgy
This liturgy was developed for the choir of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Flint, Michigan. It is a combination of 3-part harmony and 2-part chant. It is in Greek and English with easy switching between languages.
Music for the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
In English with some Greek.
DOXOLOGIES
Great Doxology in the Third Tone, Herimological, in Greek and English
Great Doxology in the Plagal Second Tone, Sticheraric, for Holy Friday, Greek only
SUBSTITUTIONS FOR THE TRISAGION HYMN
Trisagion Hymn for Hierarchical Liturgies with Tou Vimatos
Trisagion Hymn for Hierarchical Liturgies with Tou Vimatos (harmonized version)
Osi is Christon / As many of you as have been baptized MIDI
Ton Stavron Sou / Before thy Cross MIDI
TROPARIA (APOLYTIKIA) AND KONTAKION FOR NORMAL SUNDAYS
The 8 Sunday Resurrectional Apolytikia ZIPPED MIDI FILES
Kontakion: Prostasia ton Christianon / O Protection of Christians
GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
MEGALYNARION OF ST. BASIL'S LITURGY
Epi si cheri / In thee rejoices (Sakellarides melody) GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Epi si cheri / In thee rejoices (Plagal 4 melody from Anthimos)
HYMNS OF THE MENAION (THE MONTHS)
September 8 - The Nativity of the Theotokos
Apolytikion: I yennisis sou Theotoke / Thy birth, O Theotokos MIDI
Kontakion: Ioakim ke Anna / Joachim and Anna GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Communion Hymn: See Feasts of the Theotokos under Saints
September 14 and 3rd Sunday of Lent - The Veneraltion of the Holy Cross
2nd Antiphon for the Holy Cross
Apolytikion: Soson Kyrie / O Lord, save thy people GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Megalynarion: Mistikos i Theotoke / Theotokos, O Mystical Paradise
Communion: Esimiothi ef imas / Lord, lift up the light MIDI
October 28 - The Protecting Veil of the Theotokos
Troparion: Tis Skepis sou / O Virgin, we extol (English version by Hieromonk Ephraim)
Kontakion: Osper nefeli / Let us the faithful hasten (English version by Hieromonk Ephraim)
Megalynarion: Angeli tin Skepin / Angels praise the Veil
Communion Hymn: See Feasts of the Theotokos under Saints
November 21 - The Presentation of the Theotokos in the Temple
Apolytikion: Simero tis evdhokias / Today is the foreshadowing GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
December 25 - The Nativity of Christ (Christmas)
2nd Antiphon for the Nativity of Christ
Apolytikion: I yennisis sou, Christe / Your birth, O Christ GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Kontakion: I Parthenos simeron / On this day the Virgin GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Megalynarion: Meghalion psychi mou / O Magnify My Soul GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Communion: Litrosin / The Lord hath sent redemption MIDI
January 1 - The Circumcision of Christ
2nd Antiphon for the Circumcision of Our Lord
Apolytikion: Morfin analliotos / You Took On Human Form GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
January 6 - Epiphany (Theophany)
2nd Antiphon for Epiphany (Theophany)
Apolytikion: En Iordhani / When thou wast baptized GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Kontakion: Epefanis simeron / Thou hast shown thyself today GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Megalynarion: Megalyon psychi mou / O Magnify My Soul GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Communion: Epefani i Charis / The Grace of God MIDI
February 2 - The Presentation of Christ in the Temple
2nd Antiphon for the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple
Apolytikion: Chere kecharitomeni / Hail to Thee who art full of grace GRK MIDI ENG MIDI
Ninth Ode of the Orthros Canon, in English, Third Tone (Harmonized Version here)
March 25 - The Annunciation
2nd Antiphon for the Annunciation
Apolytikion: Simeron tis sotiriou / Today is the crown GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Kontakion: Ti ipermaho / Mighty Defender GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Megalynarion: Evangelizou ghi charan/ Announce the tidings GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Communion: Exelexato Kyrios tin Sion / For the Lord hath Chosen Zion MIDI
August 6 - The Transfiguration of Christ
2nd Antiphon for the Transfiguration of Our Lord
Apolytikion: Metemorfothis en to ori Christe / Thou wast transfigured GRK MIDI ENG MIDI
Kontakion: Epi tou orous metemorfothis / On the mountain GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Megalynarion: Nin ta anikousta / Now hath been heard what was unheard of
GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Megalynarion of the Leavetaking (Apodosis): O tokos sou / Thou gavest birth
Communion: En to foti tis dhoxis / We shall walk MIDI
August 15 - The Dormition (Assumption) of the Theotokos
Apolytikion: En ti yennisi / In giving birth GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Kontakion: Tin en presvies akimeton / The Theotokos, ever watchful GRK MIDI ENG MIDI
Megalynarion: E yenai pase / Every generation calls thee blessed GRK MIDI ENG MIDI
Communion Hymn: See Feasts of the Theotokos under Saints
The Saints
2nd Antiphon for the Thotokos and the Saints
St. Basil the Great: Is Pasan Tin Yin Exilthen / The Sound of Your Teaching
St. Demetrios: Meghan Evrato / All the World Has Found
St. George: Os ton Echmaloton / As the One Who Sets the Captives Free
St. John the Forerunner: Mnimi Dhikeou met' engomion / The just are remembered
Sts. Kosmas and Damian: Aghii anarghiri / O Saints who shun money
St. Nicholas: Kanona Pisteos / A Canon of Faith
Prophet Elias (Elijah): O Ensarkos Angelos / The Angel Incarnate
Communion for feasts of the Theotokos: Potirion sotiriou / I will take the cup of salvation MIDI
Communion for feasts of the Apostles: Is pasan tin yin / Their line has gone out MIDI
Communion for feasts of the Saints: Is mnimosinon / Everlasting remembrance MIDI
HYMNS OF THE TRIODION (THE THREE-ODE PERIOD)
Pre-Lenten Kontakia
Kontakia for the Sundays of the Pharisee and Publican, the Prodigal Son,
the Last Judgment (Meatfare), and Forgiveness (Cheesefare), English only
The Akathist (Salutations to the Theotokos)
The Salutations Service Music Book, Canon in Greek and English
Contains the music of the Canon with refrains and the Akathist kontation hymn and responses, along with Tin Oreotata. In Greek and English. Greek is on the left side and English is on the right. Click here for an English-only version.
The Salutations to the Theotokos Pew Service Book, Text Only, Greek and English
Contains the text of the Compline, Canon, and Akathist Hymn. The hymn texts correspond with the music book above. Set printer to legal-size paper. Requires printing on both sides of paper, folding, and stapling. Click here for a version formatted for the Fifth Friday,
The Canon: "My Mouth Shall I Open Up" from the Akathist service, in English
Text Only. As in the Lamentations below, the English has been written to fit the syllabic pattern of the Greek versions, so that they can be sung to any traditional musical arrangement.
Click here for a version in modern English.
Sunday of Orthodoxy
Apolytikion: Tin achrandon ikona sou / Before thy most pure icon GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross (see September 14 in the Menaion section)
Saturday of Lazarus
Apolytikion: Tin kinin anastasin / You Have Raised Lazarus GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Kontakion: I pandon chara / Christ, the Joy of All GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Megalynarion: Tin ayin en dhoxos / With All Peoples GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Communion: Ek stomatos nipion / Out of the Mouths of Babes MIDI
Palm Sunday
2nd Antiphon for Palm Sunday
Apolytikion: Tin kinin anastasin / Thou hast raised Lazarus GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Apolytikion: Sindafendes si / As by Baptism We are Buried GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Kontakion:To thronos en ouranou / Seated in heaven on a throne GRK MIDI ENG MIDI
Megalynarion: Theos Kyrios ke epifanen imin / The Lord is God GRK MIDI ENG MIDI
Communion: Evloyimenos o erhomenos / Blessed is he MIDI
(Click here for a harmonized version)
HOLY WEEK
Exapostilarion of the Bridegroom service: Ton Nymphona Sou (Greek only)
Troparion of Kassiane in English, by Nancy Takis, Plagal Fourth Tone MIDI
Troparion of Kassiane in Greek, by John Sakellarides, Plagal Fourth Tone
Simeron Kremate, Sakellarides version (Greek)
English version by Nancy Takis, Today is hung MIDI
The Canon of Holy Saturday Orthros (Friday evening) in Modern English - (Kimati thalassis)
In Plagal Second Tone, melodies from the Anastassiou hymnal. This work is consider to be in progress. A later edition will come out with the translation even more closely metered to the Greek text. However, this is very close and can be used for the time being.
Lamentations (Engomia) of Holy Saturday Orthros (Friday evening), Pew Books
In side-by-side Greek-Phonetics-English, suitable for pews
Texts only--both languages fit any musical setting. In booklet form.
Requires printing on both sides of paper, folding, and stapling.
Set printer to legal-size paper. You can also download a
version in modern English here, and a non-booklet copy on
regular letter-sized paper. In addition, for singers who
have memorized the music, there are text versions on letter-sized paper
with the accented syllables highlighted: Renaissance English or Modern English
Lamentations (Engomia), in Western Musical Notation
With chant melodies from Metropolitan Maximos. Every verse has
a musical line. In Greek and English. Contact us for an
adaptation to the Roubanis or Sakellarides music.
Great Doxology in the Plagal Second Tone, Sticheraric, for Holy Friday, Greek only
Kyrie ekekraxa, First Tone MIDI O Lord, I have cried out, First Tone MIDI
Gospel Response of Holy Saturday, Anasta O Theos/Arise, O Lord MIDI
Cherubic Hymn for Holy Saturday: Sighisato pasa sarx vrotia MIDI
English version: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent MIDI
Communion Hymn For Holy Saturday: Exigherthi o ipnon / The Lord was Awakened MIDI
Post Communion Hymn for Holy Saturday: Mnisthiti efspaghne / Remember us
GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
HYMNS OF THE PENTECOSTARION (THE FIFTY DAYS)
Holy Pascha (Easter)
Dhefte Lavete Fos / Come, Receive Ye the Light MIDI
Tin Anastasin Sou / Of Thy Resurrection MIDI
Troparion: Christos anesti / Christ is risen MIDI
(Click here for a 4-part harmony version) MIDI
(Click here for a half-page version for the congregation)
Russian-style 4-part SATB version in Greek and English
Apolytikion: Prolavouse ton Orthron / They who were with Mary GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Small Entrance: En ekklisias / Bless God in the churches
Kontakion: I ke en tafo / Into the grave GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Megalynarion: O angelos evoa / The angel cried to her MIDI
Communion: Soma Christou / Receive ye the Body of Christ MIDI
Communion: Soma Christou / Receive ye the Body of Christ, Harmonized MIDI
4-Part version by N. Roubanis w/ English verse by N. Takis MIDI
Sunday of St. Thomas
Apolytikion: Esfrayismenou tou mnimatos / After the tomb had been sealed up
GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Kontakion: With his searching right hand (English only, from Heiromonk Ephraim)
Megalynarion: Se tin fainin lambada / Thou art the shining torch lamp
GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Communion: Ipeni Ierusalim / Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem MIDI
Third to Sixth Sundays after Pascha
Apolytikia of the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women: O efschimon Iosif / The Noble Joseph and Tis miroforis yinexi / To the myrrh-bearing women ZIPPED MIDIS OF ALL 4 HYMNS
Megalynarion: O angelos evoa / The angel cried to her for the 4th Sunday of Pascha
GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Megalynarion: O angelos evoa / The angel cried to her for the 5th Sunday of Pascha
GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Troparion of the Hierarchs of Constantinople: Vyzandiou pimenes / Shepherds of Byzantium
The Ascension
2nd Antiphon for the Ascension
Apolytikion: Anelifthis en dhoxi / Thou hast ascended in glory GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
The Fathers
Pentecost
2nd Antiphon for Pentecost MIDI
Apolytkion: Evloyitos i Christe / Blessed are you, O Christ GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Megalynarion: Mi tis fthoras / Mother that has known no man GREEK MIDI ENGLISH MIDI
Communion: To pnevma sou to aghathon / Your good Spirit MIDI
Sunday of All-Saints
Communion: Aghalliasthe thikei Kyrio / Be glad in the Lord
OTHER HYMNS
Communion hymn for the consecration of a Church: Kyrie ighapisa / Lord, I have loved
(Chant and 4-Part Harmony)
Lamentations (Engomia) of the Dormition of the Theotokos
(Modern English Text Only)
A metered translation that fits with any existing Greek melody.
4-Part Hymns (Se Imnumen / With Hymns We Praise Thee and a Sunday
Communion hymn that combines Greek and English)
Wedding hymns from the Greek Orthodox Marriage Service
Agni Parthene (O Virgin Pure) by St. Nektarios, in Greek and English
Fimi of Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit
Agapiso se Kyrie and Ton Dhespotin, for Hierarchical Liturgies
Kyrie soson tous efsevis, for Hierarchical Liturgies
The Beatitudes, First Tone, in English
Theotokion from the Funeral Service, in English
Psalm 23, Plagal Fourth Tone, in English
Psalm 135, First Tone, in English
The Lord's Prayer, 4-part, N. Kedrov, adapted by S. Takis, in English
(Greek Version)
SATB Concert Arrangement of Ta Kalanda Christmas Carol in English
Ta Kalanda -- Standard arrangment in Greek and English with piano part and guitar chords
New Byzantium Publications provides music for use in Orthodox Christian churches, primarily churches that use both Greek and English in their services. The main goal is to offer ecclesiastical music in English put in common staff notation that is accurately translated, poetic, close to the rules of Byzantine Chant, and can alternate easily with the traditional Greek versions.
The music in English available on this site is written by Nancy Chalker Takis, a hierarchically-blessed chanter of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and holder of the Patriarch Athenagoras medal for notable service to her metropolis. She has been given approval to translate Church hymns from three consecutive hierarchs of the Metropolis (formerly Diocese) of Detroit. She currently chants regularly in the parishes of Assumption Church in Flint, Michigan and Annunciation Church in Muskegon, Michigan, and other parishes when called upon. Greek versions of these hymns are provided as a service for choirs which alternate Greek and English texts and are from various sources, some traditional, some original, and also some from composers of the past.
The music here has melodic lines and ison parts written out. It follows the melodic rules and formulas of Byzantine chant, but does not include all of the traditional ornaments. It can be used by chanters, choirs, and congregations. Some of the music is from the hymnal of John Sakellarides, whose melodies remain popular in America today. A few pieces are in 3 or 4-part SAB/SATB choir arrangements. The English text has been treated in a way that respects the placement of the accented syllables of the language, as one finds in traditional Greek church music. There is no awkward English in these arrangements.
Stan Takis, the owner and operator of this website and who is responsible for the typesetting of the music, is a life-long educator and an experienced choir director both in Greek Orthodox churches and in the public schools. He is currently the Minister of Music and choir director at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. He also holds the Athenagoras medal for service to his metropolis.
All files are in .pdf format. You must have Adobe Reader to read or print them. (This is a free download on the Internet. If you don't have it, click HERE and select downloads.)
Call us or send e-mail any time you like. You can also send comments and donations to the following address:
Stan and Nancy Takis
1900 Burkley Rd.
Williamston, MI 48895-9755
Phone: (517) 655-2060 or (517) 980-3830
E-mail: takistan@yahoo.com
MORE MUSIC AND ARTICLE DOWNLOADS:
THE ORTHROS BOOK OF NICHOLAS ROUBANIS
This 300-page, handwritten manuscript has been out of print for years. We offer it here as an aid to chanters and their training. It contains all of the music for the Sunday Resurrectional Orthros service in Western staff notation, in Greek with English phonetics.
HOLY WEEK BOOK OF J. SAKELLARIDES
This 386-page book is out of print and copies are very rare. It contains all of the music for Holy Week in Greek and Western staff notation.
WHAT ORTHODOX CHOIRS SHOULD KNOW
Practical information for members of Orhtodox lay choirs about how to prpare themselves for service to the Church.
ABOUT VESPERS
An educational look at the order and music of the Orthodox Vespers service. For a look at the entire Vespers service of July 22, 2007, as celebrated at the Mid-Eastern Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians convention, here for the booklet that was used by the congregation.
To read the service booklet and listen to MP3 files of the Vespers service of the 2008 convention, click here.
TONE VS. MODE
A discussion of the translation of echos and Octoechos.
BYZANTINE OCTOECHOS CHART
A one-page chart that explains the most common characteristics of the eight Byzantine tones for those who were trained in Western music and want to recognize or understand the Byzantine theore of music.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE CORRECT IN ORTHODOX CHURCH MUSIC?
An article by Nancy Takis presented in the Byzantine Echo, the newsletter of the Mid-Eastern Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians.
THE NEED TO RETURN TO TRADITIONAL MUSIC
An article from The Epistle, the newsletter of Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in St. Clair Shores, written by Father Anthony Cook, associate priest, on the occasion of Church Music Sunday 2007. It explains the importance of moving away from Western polyphonic choral music and into the direction of traditional chant.
BYZANTINE THEATER AND RITUAL
A well-researched and documented doctoral thesis written by Andrew Walker White which contains a considerable amount of information and history concerning the music of the Orthodox Church. Well worth reading!
MEGA THEORETIKON BY CHRYSTANTHOS
An English translation of the seminal work of one of the Three Teachers which explains Byzantine musical theory as it is applied in the modern era. (Since 1832.) This file is 45 megabytes, and therefore it is best to do a right-click and save the target file to your hard drive before opening it.
ABOUT NEW BYZANTINE CHANT
Chant is a form of purely vocal music that serves a written text. The words are intoned using a limited scale, and melodic formulas are used to emphasize certain words and syllables. In chant, the music is shaped by the text, as opposed to song, in which the music takes a fixed melody and has equal or greater artistic importance than the text.
The purest form of chant is monophonic, that is, there is a single melodic line. Byzantine chant is often duophonic, having a melodic line accompanied by a lower droned note which enforces the base tonality of the mode. A melodic line could be harmonized with chords and still be considered chant, provided that the text remains dominant and the harmonies are homophonic and do not distract from the flow of the words. This would preclude the use of contrapuntal polyphony and complicated chord structures.
There is a certain style (or iphos) associated with Byzantine chant. This style has a unique vocal character and includes much ornamentation and precise microtunings of scales. The iphos is generally employed by chanters trained in the art of Byzantine music.
The music of this web page is aimed primarily for the use of lay choirs and congregations. We call it "New Byzantine Chant" because, while it is based upon Byzantine music theory, it can be chanted in a Western vocal style in English by lay choirs and congregations using the modern even-tempered scale. Congregational chanting is becoming a more important part of Greek Orthodox worship, and represents a return to an ancient Christian practice.
