Newsletter: November 2005

Concerning the Choir

This month we continue our series on ministries in the Church with the role of the Choir.

Prior to the Byzantine music workshop on November 5 at. 3.00 pm, I would like reflect on the role of the Choir in Orthodox worship. In some places, the role of the Choir is imperfectly understood. In these places, the Choir does everything (often in very complicated and operatic style), and the rest of the congregation is reduced to passive listening. Or, swinging to the other extreme, the Choir has no real role apart from the congregation, as absolutely everything is sung congregationally, in unison.

Both of these extremes are distortions of the authentic liturgical tradition. In Orthodox worship, there are three basic liturgical “players”— the clergy, the choir, and the rest of the holy laity. Sometimes these roles overlap (such as when all say the Creed together), but sometimes their roles are quite distinct.

Take for example the Matins Canon sung at Pascha. During this time, the Choir sings the complicated Paschal Canon, while the congregation participates by listening. And during the Canon, while the Choir is still singing, the priest comes forth from the altar to cense the people, crying out “Christ is risen!” , and the congregation responds, “Indeed He is risen!” The priest and congregation here do not wait until the Choir has finished singing their piece; rather, they shout joyfully over top of them, so that all three, priest, choir and people, have their own distinctive role and contribution to the singing of the Canon.

Or, taking another example: at Great Vespers, some parts are done by priest or reader alone, such as the Great Litany (by the priest), or the Trisagion Prayers (by the Reader). Some parts are done by all present together, such as the singing of “Gladsome Light”, or the “Song of Simeon”, which priest, choir and people sing together. Other parts are done by reader and choir alone (such

as the “Lord I call” hymn, where the reader chants the psalm verses and the choir sings the variable hymns interspersing those verses). At Vespers, all three, clergy, choir and people, have their own roles to fulfill, which sometimes overlap and sometimes do not.

Thus, Orthodox worship expresses Orthodox ecclesiology (or doctrine of the Church). The Church is a Body, the Body of Christ, and in a body, all members and limbs do not have the same function (see 1 Cor. 12:14-26). All the various members of the Body offer their own gifts, their own contributions, to the harmony of the whole body and the upbuilding of the common assembly.

As we approach this coming opportunity to learn more about worship and music, we must bear in mind who we are—not a collection of individuals, but the holy Body of Christ the Lord.

- Fr. Lawrence

 

St. Herman's Church OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, December 3rd, 10am - 2pm

The church will be open to the public

We are having a bake sale and St. Nicholas Day cookie decorating and we will invite the neighourhood.

Volunteers needed to bake goods - and bring them to the
church Friday evening.  Also needed: volunteers to wrap the baked
goods in preparation for Saturday on Friday evening; and willing
folk to come and hang out at the church on Saturday afternoon to
talk to the masses that will come and visit.

We will advertise this in the local papers... the draw will be the
baked goods - we will donate any money we make to the Orthodox Stocking Fund.

If God moves you and you are willing... please contact:
RamonaWildeman 604-888-3996 or ramona.wildeman{at}gmail.com (replace {at} with @).

 

+++ Fasting Rules, November 2005 +++

Wednesdays and Fridays are regular fast days with no meat, fish, eggs or dairy, wine or olive oil. Exceptions easing the fast somewhat occur on certain feasts.

November 15 begins the Advent fast

All days this month are like regular Wednesdays and Fridays except:

• Wine and oil allowed most days this month except Tues Nov 15, Mon Nov 28.
• Saturdays & Sundays - Fish, wine, oil allowed.
• Wed Nov 16 - St. Matthew. Fish, wine, oil
• Mon Nov 21 - Entr. Theotokos. Fish, wine & oil
• Wed Nov 30 - St. Andrew. Fish wine & oil

 

NOVEMBER EVENTS

• Sat. Nov. 5 – Byzantine music workshop – 3.00 pm, followed by supper at 6.00 and then 7.00 pm Vespers
• Tues. Nov. 8 – Bible study at Durans’, 7.00 pm
• Fr. Lawrence will be away at Archdiocesan Council Nov 10-17 (Services continue as usual, including a Remembrance Day trisagion after vespers on Sat. Nov 12).
• For pastoral needs during Fr. Lawrence's absence, please contact Fr. Justin at 604-541-7343

 

THANKS A BUNCH!

Just a brief word from the youth leaders to say a very big thank you to all the volunteers who came and helped out with our first monthly youth group outing. The kids had a spectacular time, and we're now busily planning our next get-together, which should be taking place near the end of November. Thanks again to all who helped make our first gathering a success!

- Magdalen & Maria