The Lenten project of the Archeparchy: learning to sing
Learn the liturgical singing this Lent
The Archeparchy of Philadelphia is starting a project: "Church hymns". The goal of the project: to help enrich Church Singing during Divine Services in our Church. The first stage - parts of the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.
Fathers Myron Myronyuk and Ostap Mykytchyn sing hymns in English. We sincerely invite everyone to follow the new publications. We believe that this practical project will help enrich the liturgical singing during Great Lent and penetrate more deeply into the deep liturgical tradition of our Church.
The hymn "Let my prayer Rise" " is the beginning of Psalm 140. It is usually sung during every vespers. But during the Great Lent it is also sung at the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. According to tradition, the priest sings the hymn alternately with all the faithful: first the priest sings the canticle, and the faithful kneel, then the chorus is sung together by all the faithful, and the priest kneels with incense.
Now the powers of heaven are serving invisibly with us, for behold, the King of Glory now enters, behold the King of Glory enters. As the mystical sacrifice, perfect and complete: solemnly is now brought forth.
In this instance, however, there are no commemorations: this is the one point in the Byzantine liturgy at which silence is commanded, as the faithful kneel and the Body of Christ is taken in procession through the church. As the clergy enters the altar, the hymn concludes:
Let us all approach full of faith and love; let us draw near and become partakers of everlasting life. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
