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Influences
Even though my only language is English, I love to listen Byzantine chant in any language. The more I hear, the more I'm able to absorb and apply what I've learned. My favorites are Eikona and Fr. Apostolos Hill.
Sounds Like
"God is peace, beyond all tumult and shouting. Our hymns, accordingly, ought to be angelic, without tumult." ~St. Gregory of Sinai
The following quote describes the spirit of Byzantine Chant. I must apologize because I do not remember or have record of the author.
"It is the divinely bestowed privilege of the Saints to sing praises to the Holy Trinity, and to extol the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Throughout Scripture and the history of Divine salvation, even to the present day, the people of God have expresed the inner reality of the Divine encounter by means of song. Where mere written words fail to portray fully the truth of the mystery of faith, the Church has employed sacred hymnology to be, as it were, an icon of song and verse, expressing clearly the truth in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The music of the Church, therefore, should not be considered as one might consider other forms of music, whether classical or contemporary. This music requires in us a longing to know God and to possess a desire to behold Him portrayed in our song. It requires that we be true to Christ, for in singing and chanting we become witnesses (martyrs) to the truth. Likewise, we err if we approach Orthodox hymnology simply as a science, seeking only to know technique, formulae and method. If this is our outlook we will certainly miss the heart of what it has to offer. Let us rather approach it in faith and in love, as an outgrowth of our service for our Lord, knowing that it is the Holy Spirit who inspires these poems and songs of the Church, to the glory of Jesus Christ.
The inner reality of Byzantine music is neither Greek nor oriental. Properly understood it is not a local ethnic musical style, but rather the living embodiment of a timeless and profoundly theological proclamation of the Orthodox faith. With its roots deep in Christian antiquity, it may be legitimately viewed as a part of Holy Tradition, uncorrupted by the Western captivity which has so often distorted other artistic expressions of Orthodoxy, both musical and iconographic. It poses a universality, which allows it to surmount any narrow boundaries of nationality or language."
PRCA Cowboy Chris Mason lowers his head in prayer at the start of the rodeo Bull riding event in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
There's a hundred years of history and a hundred before that All gathered in the thinkin' goin' on beneath his hat.
He's got Buffalo Bill Cody and the Jigger boss And all of the brave blue soldiers that General Custer lost The ghost of Pancho Villa, Sittin' Bull and Jessie James All gathered by his campfire keepin' score and takin' names.
The cold flame burns within him 'til his skin's as cold as ice And the dues he paid to get here are worth every sacrifice.
All the miles spent sleepy drivin', all the money down the drain All the "if I's" and the "nearly's", all the bandages and the pain All the female tears left dryin', all the fever and the fight Are just a small downpayment on the ride he makes tonight.
It's guts and love and glory-one mortal's chance at fame His legacy is rodeo and cowboy is his name.
THE TREASURE HIDDEN IN A FIELD 44 again,the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found,he hideth,and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath,and buyeth that field. MATTHEW 13:44
"Today is hung upon the Tree, He Who did hang the land in the midst of the waters. A Crown of thorns crowns Him Who is King of Angels. He is wrapped about with the purple of mockery Who wrapped the Heavens with clouds. He received buffetings Who freed Adam in Jordan. He was transfixed with nails Who is the Bridegroom of the Church. He was pierced with a spear Who is the Son of the Virgin. We worship Thy Passion, O Christ. Show also unto us thy glorious Resurrection. "
