Great Lent | Sound and Silence

Mar 22, 20241 min read

Choral Corner #38: At Forgiveness Vespers, “Vouchsafe, O Lord” is read extremely slowly, while the vestments and paraments are changed and the choir begins to use Lenten melodies. What’s going on?

These actions signify the official beginning of Great Lent. “Vouchsafe, O Lord” is read very slowly to allow the maximum possible time...

Apr 12, 20232 min read

Bridegroom Matins is a form of Matins served on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week. These services have a distinctly...

Apr 3, 20232 min read

Q: How are the hymns of the sixth week of Lent (this week), and also of Holy Week, different from those sung earlier in this liturgical...

Mar 20, 20231 min read

Note: This was published on the third Sunday of Great Lent (the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross), hence the references to "today"....

Mar 20, 20231 min read

Colloquially, some Orthodox use the term "Triodion" to refer to Great Lent and its three preparatory weeks; choir directors, in...

Feb 22, 20232 min read

Forgiveness Vespers is a unique form of Sunday Lenten Vespers served on the Sunday of the Expulsion from Paradise, otherwise known as...