Oriental Orthodox Music

[jydeacon]

This is not a regular practice at the church to sing spiritual songs unless this is outside the service. From what it looks like, it seems this is right before the resurrection enactment. This is not common to see and is ritualistically inappropriate to do such in the middle of the liturgy. But that is my take on the matter, this could simply be a choir singing outside of the service. During the Holy 50 or even on bright saturday

[Salpy]

Thanks for the insight.

My guess was that it was being done outside of the liturgy, due to the clapping that occurred when the women finished.  When I saw it, I had the feeling that it was a dramatization of the women at the Tomb.

[minasoliman]

Actually, I think this is right before Onim Nai, a Coptic hymn said during an Easter liturgical service.  What gives it away is the deacon after they were done who started singing the beginnings of Onim Nai.

[jydeacon]

You're right mina, I didn't finish the entire video, It was during the liturgy, however, I still stand by what I said in saying singing these spiritual songs during a Liturgy is wrong, not only that but in a choir fashion to the congregation.

[Salpy]

That's too bad.  The music was beautiful.  What was the hymn about?

Also, why were the lights off?

[jydeacon]

I don't have time at the moment to translate whats being said, but the lights are off because its during the resurrection re-enactment. We turn the lights off representing the darkness we were in before the resurrection, a deacon outside of the alter(alter curtains closed representing the separation between us and God) Says Christ is risen in Greek, Arabic, and in the diaspora the language of the country(english here) 3 times each. Then they go on with the part of a psalm(which one slips my mind) but the words are: Lift up your gates, O you Princes and be lifted o you everlasting gates(3 times) so that the King of Glory may enter. Who is the King of Glory? The Lord, the powerful, the strong, the mighty, victorious in battles; He is the King of glory." The lights are then turned on and we do a procession around the church chanting hymns for the resurrection. Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM8GFZk5ObE

[Salpy]

Thank you.  That's beautiful.

[jydeacon]

Also here is the Resurrection enactment from the Cathedral in Cairo this year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdxdVaO8sec&feature=related starts at about 50 seconds. Mind you, lead deacon(Ibrahim Ayad) recently had surgery for his voice and HH Pope shenouda is quite old, so it may not sound as beautiful as possible. HH had a great voice when he was younger

[minasoliman]

Dear jydeacon,

What about the songs said in the video by the girls and the one man in the middle.  What were they saying?  I'm very deficient in Arabic, and I can only make out some of the words they said.

[jydeacon]

Well from what I can hear, (My proper arabic is not that strong), the second and 3rd are about the resurrection, but I can't really make out what they are saying. I'm not sure what the first is about. Sorry!

[jydeacon]

On a side note, thought I'd share a Psalm from the Agpeya(book of hours) chanted in its tune. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0LleY73_pY

[Salpy]

Absolutely beautiful.

[Salpy]

An Ethiopian spiritual song about St. Arsema (Hripsime):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4GSm13cc7k

Thanks to our brother Hiywot, who brought this to our attention, we have the translation of the words:

Ney Arsema holy – Ney Arsema martyr
Arsema, Arsema, – Ney Arsema
When I call thee Arsema – Ney Arsema
To intercede for me – Ney Arsema
To God thy creator – Ney Arsema
My sins, my mistakes – Ney Arsema
Let me confess to thee – Ney Arsema
Lead me O Arsema – Ney Arsema
Holding my hands – Ney Arsema
etc...

http://www.orthodoxchristianity.net/forum/index.php/topic,15818.msg442180.html#msg442180

[Salpy]

This is sort of the official hymn of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Mother Cathedral of the Armenian Church:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fuser%2Fgomiteci&v=Yf2uESP68Qk&feature=player_profilepage

I found the words and translation on an online church newsletter:

http://www.stsahmes.org/NewsPub/buletin/2005/052905.pdf

(Church newsletters can be so useful!  )  Here are the words and translation:


The Hymn of Holy Etchmiadzin
 
Etchmiadzinn ee Horeh yev looys parratz unt numa,
Tsaynk hunchetzeen santaramedk antuntotz.
Desyal uzlooys medz Hayrabedeen Kreekoree,
Badmer tzundzootyamp havadatzyal arkayeen.
Yegayk sheenestsook soorp uzkhoranun loosoh,
Kanzee ee suma dzakyats mez looys ee Hayastan ashkharhee.

The Only-Begotten descended from the Father, and the light of
glory was with him;
Voices resounded in the depths of Hades.
The patriarch Gregory saw the great light,
And joyfully told of it to the believing king.
Come let us build the sanctuary of light,
For therein shone forth light unto us in the land of Armenia.

The vision mentioned in the hymn was the vision of St. Gregory the Illuminator, in which Christ appeared to him.  The newsletter describes the vision, and how the name Etchmiadzin is derived from it:

"The name Etchmiadzin is a compound word in Armenian consisting
of two elements: etch, meaning “descent” and Miadzin, meaning “the Only
Begotten.” St. Gregory the Illuminator, the enlightener of the Armenian na-
tion and the founder of the catholicate as an institution, saw in a vision Christ
descending from heaven and striking the ground with a golden hammer. The
site was next to the court of King Drtad III in Vagharshabad, the present-day
Etchmiadzin. Gregory built an altar on the site of the descent and surrounded
it by a wall. The structure was soon converted to a church and represented the
earliest phase of the present-day cathedral."

[Salpy]

Hymn for the Dormition of the Mother of God in Malayalam:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rx9ZPK7Q0M


Here are the words in English, posted with the video:

St.Thomas wondered;
"How will I reach Jersusalem,
from India; so soon?"
when he heard the Holy Spirit telling him:
"Go and attend the funeral,
of the Mother of your Lord"

Suddenly a cloud came,
and took me in.
I saw the Virgin being carried up,
by the angelic hosts.

I told; "Dear Mother please wait;
Let me receive blessings by venerating,
your holy body."
The anglic hosts stopped, and with delight,
I approached her, venerated her,
and received blessings.

To show as proof of me witnessing
her undestructed body going to paradise,
I also got her handkerchief and belt.
And along with the angels, I praised God,
on this day of her dormition.

When St.Thomas saw the other disciples,
near the tomb of Virgin Mary, to convince them what he saw,
he requested them: "Please open her tomb,
so that I can also venerate her body,
just like you all could."

The disciples opened her tomb and saw it was empty.
They were amazed and told St.Thomas,
it was here that we laid her body.
At that moment, St.Thomas showed
the other disciples her handkerchief and belt
and he told them, her body is in paradise.

Let He who gave glory to the Dormition of His Mother; the Mesiah be glorified.

[Dionysios]

This is sort of the official hymn of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Mother Cathedral of the Armenian Church:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fuser%2Fgomiteci&v=Yf2uESP68Qk&feature=player_profilepage

Absolutely wonderful!

[Salpy]

Welcome Dionysios!

[Dionysios]

Welcome Dionysios!

Hello Salpy!
Greetings from Serbia to all OO brethren and sisters!

[jydeacon]

This is a full Midnight praise service done in primarily in English(from australia) and coptic with some arabic.
http://cid-4a98a4404168acc2.office.live.com/browse.aspx/.Public/St%20Mark^4s%20Sydney%20Tasbeha%202

[minasoliman]

Another interesting version of "Aboun D'Bashmayo" chanted by an Indian Orthodox priest:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzqUXGlZUCA&feature=player_embedded

[Salpy]

A resurrection hymn in Malayalam:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foRgf9G0Ess

Posted with the video is a translation of the hymn, as well as the transliteration of the words:


ENGLISH TRANSLATION

O Mary! I am the Gardner
I am the one who established Paradise
O Mary! I am the life of all living things.
I am the rising up and resurrection.

I was murdered
I was in a tomb
Do not touch me,
for I have not yet ascended to My Father.

"With glory He has risen from the tomb",
Go and tell this good news to My disciples

MALAYALAM TRANSLITERATION (MA NGLISH)

O Mariyame! Njaan thottakkaran thanne
Njaan Parudeesaye stapichool sreshtan
O Mariyame! Njaan jeevikal tan jeevantaan
Punarujeevana-mod-ezhunnelppum Njaan tan
Njaan kollappettoon
Njaan kallarayaarnnon
thotteedarute Njaan
Taatandika meerittilla
Mahimayoda kabaree-nnazhunneett-nenneevam
sishyarodaayi ni suvisheshikka

[Salpy]

Again in Malayalam, this is part of a hymn by St. Jacob of Serugh that is sung during the washing of the feet on Holy Thursday:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_0xsFCW0ns


This is the English translation provided with the video:

Simon Peter said: "I pray that I may be yours,
Wash not just my feet, wash my hands and head too.
If I cannot be Your disciple without being washed,
O Lord God, wash me completely.
Let me never loose my unity with You,
Wash me completely."

Gabriel and the angels bow down and cover their faces,
Saying: "Are You washing the feet of Simon?
Though You humbled yourself, prepared to serve,
why do You show this kind of humility to men,
O Son of God!"

Lord! the earth and heaven grieved at Your suffering.
Men and Angels were amazed at Your humility.

[Salpy]

With the feast day of St. Moses the Strong coming up, I thought I would link to a glorification hymn for him:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWsI-n-TPBo

[Salpy]

This is a hymn in the Coptic language, but it comes with English and Arabic translations.  It mentions all the angels and many saints:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uddcg7F5ZVs

[Salpy]

The Nicene Creed chanted in Armenian:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fuser%2Fwitheddie&v=YkVSoEE2pCU&feature=player_profilepage

[Salpy]

I can't resist putting these kids on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqDevRSibiQ

[NIKODIMOSETHIO]

hey i cant download any indian songs pls help

[Salpy]

Does anyone know where to download any Indian hymns?

[surajiype]

The best place to view and to download Malankara liturgical music would be youtube.  Some downloadable music is here
http://malankaraorthodoxchurch.in/index.php?option=com_zoom&Itemid=204&catid=39

[Salpy]

Thank you!   

[Elijah]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ml1nXkUUa0g

[Andrew21091]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ml1nXkUUa0g

Beautiful! I love it!

[Elijah]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ml1nXkUUa0g

Beautiful! I love it!

Thank you.

[Salpy]

There is a new set of CD's for the Rite and Hymns of the Glorification Service in the Coptic Church:

http://www.copticheritage.org/Productions_glorificationservice.phtml

[minasoliman]

There is a new set of CD's for the Rite and Hymns of the Glorification Service in the Coptic Church:

http://www.copticheritage.org/Productions_glorificationservice.phtml

The Video Ad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0RXMwbq2Os

[Elijah]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8isDywNHHXI&feature=related

[Salpy]

A Malayalam hymn:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D357XSp8_cI

[Elijah]

This is a spritual song entitled "Sebhat"([Thanking God for creating us to worship Him. Thanking Mary, mother of the Lord Jesus. And giving thanks for the cross on which Christ was crucified.) :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8NwrsDkzfg

[minasoliman]

I'd like to share with you a hymn from a priest I learned the Church hymns from.  He is probably my favorite priest I'd love to hear to chant.  I like a strong voice and if possible with high tones.  I personally pray the same way, and I personally would get bored when I go to Coptic churches where deacons insist on a very low tone of chanting.  I know perhaps this shouldn't be the case, but since my childhood I was brought in Fr. David Bebawy's way of chanting, and forever am I attracted to it, since my vocal cords can also handle it (I guess since it was trained in it).

Anyway, without further ado, here's one example of Fr. David Bebawy chanting "Praise of the Three Youth" (Praise Him and Exalt Him Above All).  I'm not sure if someone posted it earlier in this thread, but this is one hymn chanted by Fr. David with a high tone that I love very much.  Just imagine praying tasbeha with this man:

http://tasbeha.org/media/index.php?st=Praises%2FMidnight_Praises%2FFr._David_Bebawy%2C_Coptic_Midnight_Praises%2FPart_1%2Ftrack09.417.mp3

And here's the hymn that is sung before the "Praise of the Three Youth:"

http://tasbeha.org/media/index.php?st=Praises%2FMidnight_Praises%2FFr._David_Bebawy%2C_Coptic_Midnight_Praises%2FPart_1%2Ftrack08.416.mp3
(there's a part cut in the middle)

Fr. David is also known for his very articulate way in using the cymbals; this is a simple way (for him), but there are more articulate ways he uses the cymbals such as the Morning Praises in the first Joyful Tone:

http://tasbeha.org/media/index.php?s=Praises%2FMorning_Praises%2FFr._David_Bebawy%2FJoy01.mp3
(he gives instructions before he begins in Arabic)

Lyrics here:
http://www.alhan.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=34&Itemid=57

God bless.

Bringing back Fr. David Bebawy to the forefront, here's a video of him singing an Arabic spiritual song about the Annunciation of the Virgin Theotokos:
http://vodpod.com/watch/2020940-song-about-st-marys-annunciation
And since this is also a marriage season in the Church, here he is with his powerful high-toned voice chanting the Wedding Gospel:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2381853851932325114#

[Salpy]

Coptic Hymn:  Je nai nan - Have mercy - جي ناي نان

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfFQi4HVvbo

[hailemaryam]

Could anyone tell me if there are any sites online where I can find music from the Oriental Orthodox Church?  Thanks

A song on Feast of Transfiguration, with the Ancient Traditional Church Schooling theme, showing scholars on exercise,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrJj3vwob3k&feature=player_embedded#!
A well organized song/intact with its ancient melody/ can be found from Mahibere Selam, or Mahibere Kidusan CDs/youtube searches.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmKTrdhcvc4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtHoKFuLqZ8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixd2uQJ2bGM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi8I82XB2S8&feature=related
with Ancient King David's Harp/10 strings psaltery/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rotv9cIJbg8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDpGXVnNEJw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkPUZHfLUxo&feature=related

[deusveritasest]

This hymn is sung in the Armenian Church on Holy Thursday and tells of Christ washing the feet of His Apostles:



http://youtube.com/watch?v=S87KgPfu1UI

It sounds more similar to Russian chant than most Armenian chant I have heard. Do you hear it? Could you explain why?

[deusveritasest]

A prayer of St. Gregory of Nareg:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgiAL5h_oYM&feature=channel

This is so beautiful. 

[Salpy]

This hymn is sung in the Armenian Church on Holy Thursday and tells of Christ washing the feet of His Apostles:



http://youtube.com/watch?v=S87KgPfu1UI

It sounds more similar to Russian chant than most Armenian chant I have heard. Do you hear it? Could you explain why?

I've heard Russian chant, but I guess I don't really know enough about it to hear the similarity.  To me the hymn just sound Armenian.  Maybe the Russians were influenced by us.   

[kazakage]

http://www.youtube.com/user/02kazak?feature=mhum#p/u/0/tM7ujACR8bQ

Malayalam intercessory song to St Gregorious of Parumala.
The song is taken from a CD which was released from our parish itself, and i uploaded it.

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