Topic: Lamentations of the Theotokos at your church?

[scamandrius]

In some Greek/Arabic churches, for the Vespers of the Feast of Dormition, the  Lamentations are chanted which are based off of the melodies sung for the Lamentations of Great Friday. These lamentations are relatively new in these churches though in some, particularly those dedicated to the Theotokos, they've become somewhat popular.  My parish chants these (our patronal feast is the Dormition of St. Mary) and I didn't know if anyone else did.

Here's a link for more information: http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2011/08/lamentations-of-theotokos-in-worship.html

[augustin717]

They sing them at the Romanian cathedral in Chicago, although at Matins, just like on Good Friday. They are pretty popular in Romania.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H76VFQNCr20

[scamandrius]

They should be chanted at Orthros, but my parish routinely never has Orthros for this great and our patronal feast.

[Basil 320]

Not my parish, but in the Greater Cleveland, Ohio area last evening, following Great Vespers, a relatively new tradition in the parish of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Cleveland, which is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year, the chanting of "The Praises of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary," were solemnly conducted.  It was a "monoecclesia," the 3 sister (daughter) suburban parishes participated and their presiding priests celebrated the Divine Services jointly.  These "Lamentations" are most moving!  The church was packed, standing room only---the church has speakers outside that can be heard in this inner-city, but redeveloping neighborhood.  After the chanting of the 3 stasis of the "Lamentations," a procession of the clergy and faithful processed around the church, following the Tomb of Theotokos and upon return to the inside of the church, the flowers that adorned the Tomb (Epitaphios) were distributed to the faithful.