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Dec 29th, 2019
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Joined: Jun 2002
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Our parish is doing well. I believe we had more baptisms than funerals over the past couple years. We also have a mix of cradle Byzantines, those who married the "cradles," Roman Catholics who have officially changed to Byzantine, other RC's who belong because they see us as a "traditional" church, and a few converts from other religions.
What's interesting is the range of openness to returning to our authentic roots. For instance, we had Great Vespers for St Nicholas, but it was not particularly well attended. Possibly, this was because it was a week night. However, the group was smaller than it would have been for a liturgy that included communion. The composition was a handful of cradles, joined by a few of us who switched from RC to BC.
This past week, Father scheduled the Royal Hours instead of Divine Liturgy on the weekday mornings. One of the RC's specifically asked me if there would be communion. When informed, that ho communion would be distributed, it was clear that she would not be attending.
On the other hand, I know of at least one cradle who "boycotted" our parish Vesper Liturgy on Christmas Eve. She and another cradle will no longer come to Vesper Liturgy because they don't like the "new" music. The "new" music they're talking about, I recently discovered, is the Samolahsen tones, which they describe as "dirges." Another parishioner boycotts because we have the Nativity Icon rather than a creche.
On the other hand (is that 3 hands?), a convert helped cantor our Christmas Eve Vesper Liturgy. She, too, doesn't like the Samolahsen tones, but, as she told me, "This is my church, and nothing is going to drive me away."
What's sad, is that some of the cradles absorbed in their youth many of the Eastern "ways" that are so hard to define, and difficult for those of us who did not learn them in our youth to incorporate into our lives.
Do any of you see the same type of continuum in your parishes?
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Joined: Feb 2007
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That is odd that the Royal Hours would be done outside of the 3 times prescribed in the rubrics. Normal hours can be done by anyone at home or in church. It is unfortunate that the DL is to be changed.
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Christ is ascended! Into heaven!
Dear S.W.--
Is it possible that you simply mean "the Hours" instead of the "Royal Hours?" Royal Hours are celebrated in our church for Christmas, Theophany, Annunciation, and Great and Holy Friday (and, by some, as mentioned in Fr. David's "Typikon," for Pentecost).
In reference to the Samohlasen tones: what were you singing in your parish for the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts if not the samohlasen tones? There is a great variety in the eight tones, and if sung at the correct tempo, none of them are even vaguely "dirge-like."
Thank you.
Prof. J. Michael Thompson
Byzantine Catholic Seminary
Pittsburgh, PA 15214
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What are samohlasen tones?
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Philippe, the samolahsen tones are the tones used primarily at matins and vespers. The Our Father has also been set to each of the 8 samohlasen tones.
Professor Thompson, in answer to your question on the Royal Hours, my original post was from Christmas Day. Unfortunately, I don't have a copy of the parish bulletin from December 17, so I can't double check what was scheduled.
Regarding the samolahsen tones, I don't recall one of the people I mentioned attending presanctified liturgy. The other, I imagine, just prefers to hear the resurrection tones on Sunday. She certainly doesn't often miss presanctified on Fridays. Go figure...
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Christ is ascended! Into heaven!
Dear SW:
SORRY! <G> I didn't realize the original date was from so long ago. Thanks for your explanation.
Prof. J. Michael Thompson
Byzantine Catholic Seminary
Pittsburgh, PA
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Our parish is doing well. I believe we had more baptisms than funerals over the past couple years. We also have a mix of cradle Byzantines, those who married the "cradles," Roman Catholics who have officially changed to Byzantine, other RC's who belong because they see us as a "traditional" church, and a few converts from other religions.
What's interesting is the range of openness to returning to our authentic roots. For instance, we had Great Vespers for St Nicholas, but it was not particularly well attended. Possibly, this was because it was a week night. However, the group was smaller than it would have been for a liturgy that included communion. The composition was a handful of cradles, joined by a few of us who switched from RC to BC.
This past week, Father scheduled the Royal Hours instead of Divine Liturgy on the weekday mornings. One of the RC's specifically asked me if there would be communion. When informed, that ho communion would be distributed, it was clear that she would not be attending.
On the other hand, I know of at least one cradle who "boycotted" our parish Vesper Liturgy on Christmas Eve. She and another cradle will no longer come to Vesper Liturgy because they don't like the "new" music. The "new" music they're talking about, I recently discovered, is the Samolahsen tones, which they describe as "dirges." Another parishioner boycotts because we have the Nativity Icon rather than a creche.
On the other hand (is that 3 hands?), a convert helped cantor our Christmas Eve Vesper Liturgy. She, too, doesn't like the Samolahsen tones, but, as she told me, "This is my church, and nothing is going to drive me away."
What's sad, is that some of the cradles absorbed in their youth many of the Eastern "ways" that are so hard to define, and difficult for those of us who did not learn them in our youth to incorporate into our lives.
Do any of you see the same type of continuum in your parishes? [color:#FF0000][/color] There of course is the ultimate "being authentic to your roots" step..................
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Sophia
Sounds like they need a good shake up and be forced to decide just who they are.
Stephanos I
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