Some of the byzantine clerical poetry belonging to John Damaskinos (7th century) and Theodore Stouditis (10th century) is included in the record (CD). It was composed by John Protopsalt in the 18th century at Constantinople. The music is in first tune based on Re and Sol on moderate and presto tenses.

It is sung by the Men's choir of the All Saints Cathedral of Kallithea (Athens) under the direction of Costa Zorba.

All the discs are accompanied by a 48-page leaflet giving explanations in Greek, English, French, German with Latin transliteration.

Well known hymns heard every Sunday in all the orthodox churches written by the greatest writer of hymns of the Oriental Church, John Damaskinos are included in this disc.

Marvelous hymns such as responses, peaceful meetings, most holy hymns (sanctus), epistles, gospels, cherubins, missals composed in unique versions of tones by John Protopsalt of Constantinople (18th century), are conducted by Costas Zorbas with the participation of George Mavroidis, (reverend).

Christmas is the greatest Holiday of Christianity and in the Orthodox temples the festivities begin the day before that with the marvelous, well known Service of the Great Hours.

The disc comprises marvelous hymns of the Birth of Christ which were written by great hymnographers such as Anatolios and Germanos (7th century) and were composed by Petros (Peter) Lambadarios, Psaltis of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (18th century).

• The enrollment decreed by Ceasar August
• The appearance of the bright Star
• The worship of the Magi
• Joseph and Mary' s arrival in Bethlehem

The priest George Mavroidis takes part.

The CD contains some of the best-known and cherished hymns, which are heard in the over-crowded orthodox churches during the Holy Week.

Poems of the greatest poets of the Byzantium composed at that time (8th -11th century) in the enormous richness of tones and melodies, which the byzantine music has at her disposal. The choir consisting of 40 members offers hymns which refer to the service of the:

• Bridegroom service
• The betrayal of Jesus by Judas
• Jesus' Judgment
• Jesus' Crucifixion

The Holy Virgin is the most cherished and loved person of Christianity. Millions of lay people from all over the world have written and continue writing poems for the Holy Virgin.

Some of these poems set to music by prominent composers of the byzantine period are masterpieces heard in the C.D.

• The 9th ode
• The 15th of August Doxology
• Glory to you
• God's mother
• The Angels Hymn

The Akathistus Hymn is perhaps the most cherished hymn of the Orthodox Church.

It belongs to the classical and lyrical music of the byzantine ecclesiastical music consisting of beautiful trophies (the Canon) and the 24 Houses (Houses beginning with the letter A as far as Ùmega (Ù) i.e. the 24 letters of the Greek alphabet.

It was probably written and composed in the 6th century a. C. and was sung for the first time in the church of the Holy Virgin (Panagia of Vlaherne of Constantinople 626 a. C.).

The priest George Mavroidis takes part.

This work consists of two C.D.’s:

• No. 6 comprises Houses A-M
• No. 7 comprises Houses N-Ù

The Akathistus Hymn is perhaps the most cherished hymn of the Orthodox Church.

It belongs to the classical and lyrical music of the byzantine ecclesiastical music consisting of beautiful trophies (the Canon) and the 24 Houses (Houses beginning with the letter A as far as Ùmega (Ù) i.e. the 24 letters of the Greek alphabet.

It was probably written and composed in the 6th century a. C. and was sung for the first time in the church of the Holy Virgin (Panagia of Vlaherne of Constantinople 626 a. C.).

The priest George Mavroidis takes part.

This work consists of two C.D.’s:

• No. 6 comprises Houses A-M
• No. 7 comprises Houses N-Ù

Fourteen marvelous byzantine traditional songs of the islands and the oriental coasts of the Aegean Sea i.e. originating from the area extending from the island of Rhodes to Constantinople.

These are popular songs by unknown popular poets and composers of the 18th century. They have been sung -some of them are still sung nowadays- at marriages, feasts, fairs, amusements, expressing joy, sadness, suffering, friendship and peace. The mixed choir consisting of 30 members (men and women) sings with the accompaniment of traditional instruments.

Marvelous byzantine hymns of the Bible (David' s Psalms) were composed by the most talented byzantine composers of the 17th century.

Some of the hymns have been composed by monks of the monastery of Simon Petras of Mount Athos.

They are among the best-known hymns since they are heard almost every day both in churches and monasteries.

Two surprising four-year-old little girls accompanied by a choir of 60 members (men, women, children), express with their velvet childish voices fantastic melodies devoted to Christ.

The CD comprises superb byzantine hymns of the Bible.

The greatest event of world history is the bright and life-giving Resurrection o Jesus Christ.

In every Orthodox Church an especially splendid ceremony takes place.

The churches' joy-bells ring at 11 o'clock the night of Holly Saturday and at 12 o' clock mid-night the ceremony of the Resurrection takes place outside of the church (usually in the church's ground).

The greatest part of this brilliant ceremony is contained in this CD (No 11).

This is chanted by the multi-member choir of All Saints Cathedral Kallithea (Athens) under the direction of Constantine Zorbas, economist and music professor who is head psalmist of the above Cathedral Church.

The celebration of the Burial of the Divine Body, and the descent of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to Hades, is one of the greatest holidays of Christendom in which the mournful Character is evident.

During the celebration the Lamentations are sung.

To the Greek Orthodox people the Lamentations are known as EPITAPHIOS THRINOS and is one of the most beloved ecclesiastical hymns (songs) since this is taught to children in schools and they also have the chance to practice it every year during the celebration as the Lamentations are sung in the churches with the participation of all the congregation.

Thousands of hymns and poems were written about our Most Holy Lady. The present CD (No.13) contains hymns dedicated to our Holy Virgin, such as:

Byzantine Music of the Greek Orthodox Church Vol. 14
The Panormitis' Monastery
SMALL CANON TO THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD
JDT3401
$15.99

This CD No 15 contains the "Service of the Supplicatory Canon to the Archangel Michael of Panornitis (Symi-Rhodes)" performed by the fifteen-member byzntine choir of the All Saints Cathedral of Kallithea (Athens) under the direction of Choir-Master and Head Psalmist Costas Zorbas.