Today, our Archdiocese observes National Church Music Ministry Sunday. It comes each year in the month of October, the Sunday closest to the feast day of Saint Romanos, the Melodist (October 1st).
On this day, we recognize those women and men who have heard and responded to the Lord’s invitation to be church musicians: that is, parish chanters and choir singers. As church musicians, these people represent the laity in the liturgical dialogue of our worship services. In glory to God, the Holy Trinity, they commit themselves to learning the hymns of our Orthodox faith, understanding the sequence of our liturgical worship, and actively offering their prayers in song to enhance the beauty of our worship.
We ask each of them, and our congregation as well, to be mindful of the special ministry they fulfill in singing the hymns of our faith and leading us to worship.
Prayer for Church Musicians
PRIEST: In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. AMEN
O Heavenly Father, on this day, proclaimed National Church Music Sunday by our Archdiocese, our parish recognizes the women, men, and youth in our parish who give their time and musical talent in service to You, our Lord, and to Your Church.
Bless them, O Lord, as they sing praises to You, and glorify Your Name. Let their music be a witness to Your majesty and love, and remind us all of Your presence in our lives.
Help them to bring the Word of God to our parish family through Your music, through chant and hymn singing.
Help them to fulfill all the responsibilities this music ministry requires. Giving of time and talents to learn the hymns of our faith, teaching others these musical prayers, actively participating in the dialogue of our worship, and striving to enhance the beauty of our liturgical life.
Help them to grow as disciples of the Lord by making every effort to hear the Word of God, integrate His teachings into our lives, and sharing it with others through music.
Master, Lord our God, You commanded that everything be done for Your glory. By Your blessing, stretch forth Your hand to these Your servants who sing hymns of praise for Your glory. Grant them the wisdom and ability to sing our Orthodox prayers. Grant them good health, a happy life, and bless their good efforts. For You are a gracious God and to You we give glory, together with Your Father who is eternal and Your All-Holy Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and forevermore. Amen
Saint Romanos the Melodist
The hymnologists of the Orthodox Church are Christians of virtue and great faith, having been endowed with musical talent as well as the power of religious inspiration. Their creations enrich our worship services and help turn our souls towards God. Perhaps the greatest of all hymnologists is St. Romanos the Melodist. Many other hymnologists wrote ecclesiastical hymns, but none of them inspired the Christians as much as St. Romanos.
Romanos was a Syrian Christian who lived in the beginning of the 6th century. A convert to Orthodoxy from Judaism, he was ordained a deacon and served in the Church of Beirut. His talent was great. Unlike others, he wrote his hymns in simple language and produced a pleasant meter in the verse by the way he accented words. The hymns he composed appealed to the hearts of the people, and are still sung today.
Romanos has been called "Sweet Singer" (Glykophonos), "Melodist" (Melodhos), and "Righteous Chanter" (Psaltis Dhikeosinis). He wrote hundreds of hymns celebrating the mystery of the Incarnation, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, and the living of a Christian life. One of his most famous compositions is the hymn celebrating the Nativity of our Lord, "Today the Virgin gives birth to One who is above all living things..." (I Parthenos Simeron). St. Romanos is also said to have composed the Akathist Hymn, a kontakion that we still chant during the Friday evening Heretismoi services of Great Lent.
Romanos died on October 1st in 510 AD. He was a productive genius and artist, writing and accenting thousands of kontakia. He has been called the patron saint of all who sing for the Church. Others say he is the leader in the world of religious hymnology. Surely, he has made a profound contribution to divine worship and deserves to be recognized by all who sing and by all who listen to the hymnology of our services.
