Category Archives: Uncategorized

As an Orthodox musician (cantor, director), one thing I fear – almost above all else, as I think about it – is bringing into the Church’s liturgy a “worldly” set of musical values that are not only foreign to the … Continue reading →

Each year, as we progress in the Eastern Orthodox calendar through Lent, Holy Week, Pascha and Pentecost I’m struck by how Pentecost is the fulfillment of all things. It is the last, great day. If Pascha is the seventh day-plus … Continue reading →

I’m reading the Revelation of St. John currently, and I’m struck today by 13:6: Then [the beast] opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.” It strikes me that … Continue reading →

“He who sings prays twice.”   I’m sitting here listening to Alexandr Nikolsy’s setting of the Divine Liturgy, having just been reading a chapter in Vladimir Morosan’s superb book Choral Performance in Pre-Revolutionary Russia (Musica Russica 1986).  I’ve been preparing … Continue reading →

There are several debates that have arisen amongst Christians of many stripes over the course of centuries which never seem to get fully resolved.  (One reason for this seems to be schism: When a party of believers separates from the … Continue reading →

“The light of Christ illumines all mankind!” This cry punctuates Orthodox services as the faithful wend their way through the Great Lent to the Great and Holy Pascha.  A lit candle is brought out of the sanctuary into the people, … Continue reading →

In my last posting I discussed the incarnational dimension of the Divine Liturgy – indeed, of any of the sacramental mysteries. That in these mysteries we are ushered by the Spirit into the realm of God’s acting. That He really … Continue reading →

“God has visited His people.” Some years ago, I had a short but recurring good-natured banter with a godson over the nature of the Divine Liturgy, in which we celebrate the Eucharist and participate in Holy Communion. The “substance” of … Continue reading →

I hate that term. It’s meaningless in a Christian setting, at least one that is of the Apostolic and Catholic Faith and Tradition. I say it’s meaningless because Christian liturgy is about Christ and the operation of His Holy Spirit … Continue reading →

Two things: First, I realize that I’ve been publishing blogs under the subtitle “part I, II,” etc. How dull. Eventually I’ll go back and add descriptive subtitles. (I bet it doesn’t happen real soon.) Second, I got a bit irked … Continue reading →