www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Holy Cross Monastery - a story of survival

Bob,

I've had a complaint that the discussion was in no way unchristian. In reviewing the thread I see the discussion moving off the original topic, but not unchristian. I've reopened it. If I have a chance later I'll split the new discussion from the original thread and re-name it.

Thanks to all who participate and moderate.

John

I ran across this old thread from September 2009; it considered (also not directly as the stated topic), as has this one, the background of the Salve Regina. Forums and related topics do repeat themselves but I was surprised to read this one because I hadn't recalled it at all and had even participated in it: Re: Four Eastern Christian Churches in one morning.

The question of the authorship of the Salve Regina was raised and left unresolved in that discussion as it is here. One post there is of some note:



The present discussion has arrived at the same place as the last. The attribution of the hymn to St Isaac the Syrian needs documentation.

Guys, I dont mean to interject, but I'm not seeing it. I looked at several translations of the Salve Regina and I don't hear the Fathers singing it. I do hear the Mother of Mercy part, but nothing else matches. Am I not listening to the right spot? Can someone put a time hack up of where it is?

I don't reject the idea of the Fathers having been influenced, but this would not be my evidence. But, that's not the discussion.

At 0:00

Save us O Queen, Mother of Mercy
O our life our hope
O our sweetness save us
we exiled children
of our (ancient??) mother Eva
[hard to make out parts]
mourning...
sighing weeping... present valley of tears

Translations will differ some and there is also the Latin (original?). Also, note the melody too (perhaps even more so) and compare to the Gregorian version in my initial post of this thread.

I do, outside of St. Louis, with Fr. Kallistos.

AJK, I see it now. I thought there was something strange about that prayer. I have never heard it before in an Orthodox Church. Maybe in an Antiochian or similar parish, but not in a monastery. Good thing I jumped in when I did with the comment about House Springs.

Diak, And yes, Fr. Kallistos, one of the greatest priest ever. I visit his grave when I can to clean it off and refresh the pine branches. When the Fathers were there they didnt have any music like that. It was Dr. Timothy Clader that wrote the scores with the translations of Fr. Laurence.

Our parish still has all the hand written copies of the music. Did you know Fr. Kallistos?

I visited the monastery when it was at House Springs several times in the late 80s and early 90s. My paternal grandparents lived about 30 minutes from there at the time.

Great post we need more Holy Men, Women and Families.