On Papa Ephraim
Introduction
One of the most significant figures in the development of Byzantine music in the English language is Father Ephraim Poonen, affectionately known as Papa Ephraim, whose compositions and research have had transformational effects on the field. In particular, his seminal work on codifying the formulaic and orthographic rules influenced an entire generation of English-language composers, and his early work on Byzantine music typography also influenced later digital typesetting efforts. His books of music for the Divine Liturgy, Vespers, Matins, and Feast Days are widely used in English-speaking churches, and his deep Orthodox ethos and spirituality continue to bear fruit at St. Peter’s Monastery in Harrison, Montana.
While the historic significance of Papa Ephraim’s work cannot be overstated, his work nevertheless went through several distinct stages of development. The original Divine Liturgies Music Project preceded his systematic codification of melodic formulæ, while his later Vespers, Matins, and Feast Day books reflect a highly refined and rigorous approach to the composition of Byzantine music in the heirmologic and sticheraric genres. His subsequent codification of formulæ for the papadic genre further informed his compositional style, particularly in his settings of two Cherubic Hymns in the style of Peter the Peloponnesian.
In this article we document these stages of development and reflect on them two decades later. In particular, we describe how the development of a formulaic approach had a transformational effect on Papa Ephraim’s own subsequent work (to say nothing of the broader field). Unfortunately, much of his pioneering work on the Divine Liturgy was never brought into line with his more mature methodology, leaving it up to later composers to build on his Divine Liturgy music according to the methods he himself developed. As such, the use of his Divine Liturgy music requires a certain degree of discernment, and at the end of the article we provide a series of practical recommendations.
The Divine Liturgies Music Project
The Divine Liturgies Music Project was released online in Western notation on January 19, 2005, and in Byzantine notation on December 12, 2005. Transcribing the music into Byzantine notation motivated Papa Ephraim to develop the “EZ” Byzantine music font package and to codify 106 rules of Byzantine music orthography, which in turn prompted numerous corrections to his Western notation scores. Further updates were made in 2006, culminating in the release of version 4.0 of the book on December 3, 2006.
This was a pioneering project, unmatched at the time in its scope, which covered the Divine Liturgies of St. John Chrysostom, St. Basil, St. James, and the Presanctified Gifts, as well as a set of Doxologies. Papa Ephraim’s codification of the orthographic rules educated an entire generation of composers, and his typographic work formed the basis of the font used in the Neanes software. However, at this time Papa Ephraim’s compositional approach was not yet fully developed. As he later wrote in an article concerning adaptation:
In our Divine Liturgies book, for some hymns we composed new melodies that would match the English text without breaking any formulaic rules, while for other hymns we disregarded the rules in order to preserve the original melody with few or no changes.
While Papa Ephraim would later revise some of the Cherubic Hymns in the course of his work on papadic formulæ (as described below), the vast majority of his Divine Liturgy music remains unchanged from this time period and this methodology.
Byzantine Music Formulæ
In response to feedback about his compositional approach, Papa Ephraim undertook the systematic codification of Byzantine music formulæ, initially for the heirmologic and new sticheraric genres. This work was first released on July 2, 2006, with further updates in 2007, 2008, and 2009. On August 27, 2010, Papa Ephraim released version 2.0, which added old sticheraric formulæ and an appendix about formulæ for verses.
This was a turning point not only in Papa Ephraim’s own work but also throughout the world of Byzantine music composition. Its influence extended beyond English-speaking circles to other languages like Romanian and Slavonic, and it stimulated a wider revival of composition in the classical style.
On November 28, 2006, after releasing the initial collection of Byzantine music formulæ, Papa Ephraim made several corrections to his Divine Liturgy book. These were minor changes to fix missing or incorrect fthoræ and martyriæ and to adjust isokratema and syllable placement. Although Papa Ephraim would go on to use his new approach in his subsequent books for Vespers, Matins, and Feast Days, the earlier Divine Liturgy book was never systematically revised to take it into account.
One major practical limitation was the software available for typesetting Byzantine music in English. Significant changes required manually rewrapping lines and repositioning syllables beneath the neumes. This laborious workflow made it difficult to undertake a thorough revision of already typeset scores. While technological advancements have made the editing of Byzantine music books far more practical, these advancements were not available to Papa Ephraim during the earlier years of his work.
Vespers, Matins, and Feast Days
Vespers
Vespers was released online in Western notation on September 2, 2006, and in Byzantine notation on November 6, 2006. Further updates followed in 2007 and 2008. On December 16, 2009, Papa Ephraim released version 1.1 of this book, the last significant update to the work.
Vespers was the first major work to reflect Papa Ephraim’s refined formulaic approach, described in an article concerning adaptation. This book represented a new standard of quality for Byzantine music publications in the English language. The last traces of Papa Ephraim’s older methodology can be seen in this book only in his settings of “Lord, I have cried…” and in the Resurrectional Dismissal Hymns, which were retained from his earlier Divine Liturgy music:
In this Vespers book, most of the troparia of the Octoëchos are not well known. Therefore, we preserved only the general melodic movements of each troparion, while adapting the words to their appropriate melodic formulæ. Only in the Apolytikia [Dismissal Hymns] and sometimes in the “Lord, I have cried…” (which are the only two parts of the service with which many people are very familiar) did we slightly stretch the formulaic rules in order to accommodate more of the original melody.
Matins
Papa Ephraim’s work on Matins developed over a much longer period. He began composing individual Matins settings in 2006. Much of the music for special days dates to 2007–2008, while the remaining work proceeded gradually over the following decade. Music for most Sessional Hymns and Hymns of Ascent was released in 2009 and 2010, with Byzantine notation versions being released between 2012 and 2014. The slow and brief Praises in Western notation followed in all eight modes between May and July 2014. The Byzantine notation Praises were typeset progressively from October 2014 to March 2017. On October 24, 2021, a complete Matins book was assembled and released.
Like the Vespers book, this book is of very high quality and adheres to the formulaic rules, the sole exception being the Resurrectional Dismissal Hymns, which were retained from Papa Ephraim’s earlier Divine Liturgy music.
Dismissal Hymns and Kontakia for Feast Days
Papa Ephraim began work on Dismissal Hymns and Kontakia for the liturgical year in 2007. The complete book was released on October 13, 2008, and subsequently revised as version 1.11 on May 29, 2009. Like the Vespers and Matins books, this book is of very high quality, reflecting the same formulaic method of composition throughout.
Papadic Formulæ
By March 27, 2009, Papa Ephraim had begun collecting and publicly posting papadic formulæ. This represented a major expansion of the scope of his previous project. The work continued over the following years, culminating in the release of a papadic formula book on August 26, 2012. This was a key turning point for papadic composition, as it supplied a systematic basis for adapting these extended melodies to English while still respecting their traditional formulaic structure.
Papa Ephraim used this as an opportunity to revise nine of his existing Cherubic Hymns between 2008 and 2010 to better conform to the formulaic rules, as well as to compose two new Cherubic Hymns from scratch, based on the settings of Peter the Peloponnesian. These Cherubic Hymns are a significant improvement over the original 2005 versions; however, they are unfortunately not clearly marked on the download pages. It is therefore difficult to distinguish one of these revised pieces from the older work when casually browsing the site.
Reflections
Papa Ephraim’s research on composition and orthography transformed not only his own subsequent work but the entire field of composing Byzantine music in English and other languages. His students, among whom we count ourselves, continue to apply his methodology to new efforts, and newer typesetting tools, built on his fonts, have made it far easier to prepare and revise scores.
In his article concerning adaptation, Papa Ephraim wrote:
In our Divine Liturgies book, […] we disregarded the rules in order to preserve the original melody with few or no changes. This was intentional, because many people know the melodies of those hymns, and they would prefer an adaptation that sounds familiar, whereas in this Vespers book, most of the troparia of the Octoëchos are not well known.
In our view, this transitional approach made sense when the formulaic rules were newly codified and the entire field was still in its infancy. Two decades later, the field has matured immensely, in large part due to Papa Ephraim’s own contributions, and as such, a transitional approach like this is no longer needed. The next generation of composers has largely followed a rigorous formulaic approach for all pieces, including the Divine Liturgy, and this approach has been well received.
We therefore believe that this transitional approach should be slowly phased out. To some degree, Papa Ephraim began this process himself when he revised nine of his Cherubic Hymns between 2008 and 2010 and composed two new ones in the style of Peter the Peloponnesian. The latter reflects his final, most refined approach to adaptation: following the style of a particular composer or piece while retaining a fully rigorous application of the formulaic rules. This model has been used in subsequent adaptations and compositions, including our own.
Recommendations
The tables below list each score on Papa Ephraim’s site along with the date of its latest PDF. 🟢 USE marks a score that conforms to the formulaic rules, 🟡 CAUTION marks one that was only partially revised, and 🔴 AVOID marks one that predates the formulaic approach. The note “even after revisions” indicates that a score was later corrected, but only in minor ways that did not bring it into conformity with the rules.
Vespers
All music in this book is recommended except for the eight Dismissal Hymns retained from the earlier Divine Liturgy book and settings of “Lord, I have cried…” linked below.
| Music | Latest PDF date | Notes | Recommendation | Liturgical English Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vespers – complete book | 2009-12-16 | Conforms to formulaic rules, except for the Dismissal Hymns and settings of “Lord, I have cried” listed below | 🟢 USE | |
| Dismissal Hymn – First Mode | 2006-09-11 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Lord, I have cried – First Mode | 2006-09-11 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Dismissal Hymn – Second Mode | 2006-09-12 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Lord, I have cried – Second Mode | 2006-09-12 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Dismissal Hymn – Third Mode | 2006-09-13 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Lord, I have cried – Third Mode | 2006-09-13 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Dismissal Hymn – Fourth Mode | 2006-09-19 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Lord, I have cried – Fourth Mode | 2006-09-19 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Dismissal Hymn – Plagal of First Mode | 2006-09-22 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Lord, I have cried – Plagal of First Mode | 2006-09-22 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Dismissal Hymn – Plagal of Second Mode | 2006-09-26 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Lord, I have cried – Plagal of Second Mode | 2006-09-26 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Dismissal Hymn – Grave Mode | 2006-10-03 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Lord, I have cried – Grave Mode | 2006-10-03 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Dismissal Hymn – Plagal of Fourth Mode | 2006-10-06 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Lord, I have cried – Plagal of Fourth Mode | 2006-10-05 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
Matins
All music in this book is recommended except for the eight Dismissal Hymns linked below, which were retained from the earlier Divine Liturgy book.
| Music | Latest PDF date | Notes | Recommendation | Liturgical English Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matins – complete book | 2021-10-24 | Conforms to formulaic rules, except for the Dismissal Hymns listed below | 🟢 USE | |
| Dismissal Hymn – First Mode | 2006-09-11 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Dismissal Hymn – Second Mode | 2006-09-12 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Dismissal Hymn – Third Mode | 2006-09-13 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Dismissal Hymn – Fourth Mode | 2006-09-19 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Dismissal Hymn – Plagal of First Mode | 2006-09-22 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Dismissal Hymn – Plagal of Second Mode | 2006-09-26 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Dismissal Hymn – Grave Mode | 2006-10-03 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Dismissal Hymn – Plagal of Fourth Mode | 2006-10-06 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
Feast Days
All music in this book is recommended.
| Music | Latest PDF date | Notes | Recommendation | Liturgical English Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Dismissal Hymns and Kontakia – complete book | 2009-05-29 | Conforms to formulaic rules | 🟢 USE |
Doxologies
We recommend using the First Mode Brief Doxology and “Today is salvation…” in this section with caution, as they were only partially revised; the remaining settings predate the formulaic approach and should be avoided.
| Music | Latest PDF date | Notes | Recommendation | Liturgical English Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doxology – First Mode | 2006-11-27 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Doxology – Plagal of Second Mode | 2006-11-27 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Doxology – Plagal of Fourth Mode | 2006-11-27 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Brief Doxology – First Mode | 2008-11-24 | Partially revised 2008-11-24 | 🟡 CAUTION | Basil Crow |
| Brief Doxology – Second Mode | 2005-09-04 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Brief Doxology – Third Mode | 2005-09-21 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Brief Doxology – Fourth Mode | 2005-09-04 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Brief Doxology – Plagal of First Mode | 2005-09-04 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Brief Doxology – Plagal of Second Mode | 2007-01-26 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Brief Doxology – Grave Mode | 2005-09-09 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Brief Doxology – Plagal of Fourth Mode | 2005-09-10 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Today is Salvation | 2008-03-27 | Partially revised 2008-03-27 | 🟡 CAUTION | — |
| After rising from the tomb | 2005-09-11 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
Divine Liturgy
“Christ is risen…”
We recommend avoiding the “Christ is risen…” setting in this section, as it predates the formulaic approach.
| Music | Latest PDF date | Notes | Recommendation | Liturgical English Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christ is Risen | 2005-11-08 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
“Lord, have mercy…”
We recommend avoiding all the settings in this section, as they predate the formulaic approach.
| Music | Latest PDF date | Notes | Recommendation | Liturgical English Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lord, have mercy – Plagal of Fourth Mode | 2006-11-27 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Lord, have mercy – Plagal of First Mode | 2006-11-27 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Lord, have mercy – First Mode | 2005-11-07 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Lord, have mercy – Plagal of Second Mode | 2006-11-27 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Lord, have mercy – In Five Modes | 2005-11-09 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
Antiphons
We recommend avoiding all the settings in this section, as they predate the formulaic approach.
| Music | Latest PDF date | Notes | Recommendation | Liturgical English Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Through the Intercessions | 2005-11-08 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Save us, O Son of God | 2005-11-08 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Only-begotten Son | 2005-08-24 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Come, let us worship | 2005-08-24 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Festal Entrance Hymns | 2005-11-08 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
Typica
We recommend avoiding all the settings in this section, as they predate the formulaic approach.
| Music | Latest PDF date | Notes | Recommendation | Liturgical English Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typica – 1st Stasis – Plagal of Fourth Mode | 2006-08-22 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Typica – 1st Stasis – Plagal of First Mode | 2005-06-20 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Gabriel Cremeens |
| Typica – 2nd Stasis – Grave Mode | 2005-06-20 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Typica – 2nd Stasis – Plagal of First Mode | 2005-08-21 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Gabriel Cremeens |
Resurrectional Dismissal Hymns
We recommend avoiding the Resurrectional Dismissal Hymns in this book, as they predate the formulaic approach.
| Music | Latest PDF date | Notes | Recommendation | Liturgical English Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resurrectional Dismissal Hymns | 2006-09-16 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
Thrice-Holy Hymn
We recommend avoiding all the settings in this section, as they predate the formulaic approach.
| Music | Latest PDF date | Notes | Recommendation | Liturgical English Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trisagion – Second Mode – Brief | 2005-08-15 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Trisagion – First Mode | 2005-11-07 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Trisagion – Second Mode | 2005-11-08 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Trisagion – Plagal of Fourth Mode | 2006-11-28 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| As Many as Were Baptized | 2006-11-28 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Thy Cross do we Worship | 2006-11-28 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
Alleluia
We recommend avoiding all the settings in this section, as they predate the formulaic approach.
| Music | Latest PDF date | Notes | Recommendation | Liturgical English Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alleluia | 2005-08-26 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Alleluia – long versions | 2005-11-08 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Arise, O God | 2005-07-03 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Glory to Thee | 2005-06-20 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Eis Polla Eti | 2005-11-08 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
Hierarchical Liturgy
We recommend avoiding all the settings in this section, as they predate the formulaic approach.
| Music | Latest PDF date | Notes | Recommendation | Liturgical English Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lord, Save the Faithful | 2006-11-28 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Lord, have mercy – Ordinations | 2005-08-11 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Axios | 2005-08-11 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
Cherubic Hymns
We recommend the two Petros settings and the seven revised settings marked USE below in this section; the remaining settings predate the formulaic approach and should be avoided.
| Music | Latest PDF date | Notes | Recommendation | Liturgical English Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherubic Hymn – First Mode – Karamanis | 2009-03-10 | Revised 2009-03-10 to conform to formulaic rules | 🟢 USE | |
| Cherubic Hymn – First Mode – Phokaeus | 2009-03-26 | Revised 2009-03-26 to conform to formulaic rules | 🟢 USE | |
| Cherubic Hymn – First Mode – Petros | 2009-03-10 | Conforms to formulaic rules | 🟢 USE | |
| Cherubic Hymn – Second Mode – Karamanis | 2005-11-08 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Cherubic Hymn – Second Mode – Phokaeus | 2005-10-31 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Cherubic Hymn – Third Mode – Hierotheos | 2008-09-26 | Revised 2008-09-26 to conform to formulaic rules | 🟢 USE | |
| Cherubic Hymn – Third Mode – Gregory | 2005-11-04 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Cherubic Hymn – Fourth Mode – Stanitsas | 2005-07-27 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Cherubic Hymn – Fourth Mode – Gregory | 2005-11-08 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Cherubic Hymn – Plagal of First Mode – Phokaeus | 2009-08-04 | Revised 2009-08-04 to conform to formulaic rules | 🟢 USE | |
| Cherubic Hymn – Plagal of First Mode – Gregory | 2010-10-21 | Revised 2010-10-21 to conform to formulaic rules | 🟢 USE | |
| Cherubic Hymn – Plagal of First Mode – Petros | 2009-03-14 | Conforms to formulaic rules | 🟢 USE | |
| Cherubic Hymn – Plagal of Second Mode – Karamanis | 2006-11-28 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Cherubic Hymn – Plagal of Second Mode – Phokaeus | 2009-05-03 | Revised 2009-05-03 to conform to formulaic rules | 🟢 USE | |
| Cherubic Hymn – Grave Mode – Gregory | 2006-11-28 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Cherubic Hymn – Grave Mode – Phokaeus | 2006-11-28 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Cherubic Hymn – Plagal of Fourth Mode – Hierotheos | 2005-11-06 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Cherubic Hymn – Plagal of Fourth Mode – Phokaeus | 2006-11-28 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Cherubic Hymn of Holy Thursday | 2006-11-28 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Cherubic Hymn of Holy Saturday | 2009-03-19 | Revised 2009-03-19 to conform to formulaic rules | 🟢 USE |
Anaphora
We recommend using the Fourth Mode (Agia) Petridis and Plagal of Fourth Mode Hierotheos settings in this section with caution, as they were only partially revised; the remaining settings predate the formulaic approach and should be avoided.
| Music | Latest PDF date | Notes | Recommendation | Liturgical English Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaphora – First Mode – Nikolaidis | 2006-09-05 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Anaphora – First Mode – Hatziathanasiou | 2005-06-20 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Anaphora – Second Mode – Gregory | 2005-06-20 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Anaphora – Second Mode (Deuteroprotos) – Hierotheos | 2005-11-10 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Anaphora – Third Mode – Nikolaidis | 2005-11-23 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Anaphora – Third Mode – Karamanis | 2005-06-20 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Anaphora – Fourth Mode (Legetos) – Hierotheos | 2005-06-20 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Anaphora – Fourth Mode (Agia) – Petridis | 2009-08-26 | Partially revised 2009-08-26 | 🟡 CAUTION | |
| Anaphora – Plagal of First Mode (Diatonic) – Hierotheos | 2005-11-11 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Anaphora – Plagal of First Mode (Phrygian) – Hatziathanasiou | 2005-11-23 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Anaphora – Plagal of Second Mode – Stanitsas | 2005-12-11 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Anaphora – Plagal of Second Mode – Hatziathanasiou | 2005-10-30 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Anaphora – Grave Mode – Hierotheos | 2005-06-23 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Anaphora – Grave Mode – Pringos | 2006-11-28 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Anaphora – Plagal of Fourth Mode – Hierotheos | 2008-09-03 | Partially revised 2008-09-03 | 🟡 CAUTION | Basil Crow |
| Anaphora – Plagal of Fourth Mode – Gregory | 2005-06-26 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| I will love Thee – slow versions | 2006-11-28 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
“It is truly meet…”
We recommend avoiding all the settings in this section, as they predate the formulaic approach.
Heirmoi (Katavasias) of the Ninth Ode
We recommend avoiding all the settings in this section, as they predate the formulaic approach.
| Music | Latest PDF date | Notes | Recommendation | Liturgical English Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth of the Theotokos | 2005-10-19 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Exaltation of the Cross | 2005-11-10 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Entrance of the Theotokos | 2005-11-09 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Nativity | 2005-10-24 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Nativity – Iambic | 2005-10-25 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Theophany | 2005-10-25 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Theophany – Iambic | 2005-10-26 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Meeting in the Temple | 2005-10-26 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Annunciation | 2005-11-10 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Lazarus Saturday | 2005-10-27 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Palm Sunday | 2005-10-28 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Pascha – Peter | 2005-11-08 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Pascha – Karamanis | 2005-10-28 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Thomas Sunday | 2008-05-02 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Paralytic | 2005-12-10 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Samaritan Woman | 2005-06-01 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Ascension | 2005-06-03 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Pentecost – diatonic | 2005-06-01 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Pentecost – enharmonic | 2005-06-03 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Pentecost – Iambic | 2006-11-28 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Transfiguration | 2005-08-03 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Transfiguration – alternate | 2006-11-28 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Dormition | 2006-09-03 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
Communion Hymns – Days of the Week
We recommend avoiding all the settings in this section, as they predate the formulaic approach.
| Music | Latest PDF date | Notes | Recommendation | Liturgical English Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One is Holy | 2005-10-04 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Sunday – First Mode | 2005-11-08 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Sunday – Plagal of Second Mode | 2006-11-28 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Sunday – Plagal of Fourth Mode | 2005-09-29 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Sunday – brief – 8 Modes | 2006-11-28 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Monday | 2005-10-02 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Monday – brief | 2005-10-03 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Tuesday | 2006-11-28 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Tuesday – brief | 2006-11-28 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Wednesday | 2005-10-04 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Wednesday – brief | 2006-11-28 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Thursday | 2005-10-06 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Thursday – brief | 2005-10-09 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Friday | 2005-10-10 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Friday – brief | 2005-10-10 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Saturday | 2005-10-14 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Saturday – brief | 2005-10-10 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Slow Alleluia – First Mode | 2005-11-08 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Slow Alleluia – Fourth Mode | 2005-10-02 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Slow Alleluia – Plagal of Fourth Mode | 2005-11-09 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
Communion Hymns – Major Feasts
We recommend avoiding all the settings in this section, as they predate the formulaic approach.
| Music | Latest PDF date | Notes | Recommendation | Liturgical English Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exaltation of the Cross | 2005-10-16 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Nativity | 2005-10-16 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Theophany | 2005-10-16 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Annunciation | 2005-10-16 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Lazarus Saturday | 2005-10-16 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Palm Sunday | 2005-10-16 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Holy Saturday | 2005-11-10 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Pascha | 2005-10-16 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Thomas Sunday | 2005-10-18 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Mid-Pentecost | 2005-10-16 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Ascension | 2005-10-17 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Pentecost | 2005-10-17 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Monday of the Holy Spirit | 2005-10-17 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Sunday of All Saints | 2005-10-18 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Transfiguration | 2005-10-18 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
Communion Hymns – Minor Feasts
We recommend avoiding all the settings in this section, as they predate the formulaic approach.
| Music | Latest PDF date | Notes | Recommendation | Liturgical English Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mother of God – Fourth Mode – long | 2005-10-04 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Mother of God – brief – Hieromonk Gregory | 2006-11-28 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Archangels – First Mode – long | 2005-10-02 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Archangels – brief – Hieromonk Gregory | 2005-10-03 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Honourable Forerunner and other Saints – Grave Mode – long | 2006-11-28 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Honourable Forerunner and other Saints – brief – Hieromonk Gregory | 2006-11-28 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Apostles, Three Hierarchs, and Sts. Constantine and Helen – Plagal of Fourth Mode – long | 2005-10-06 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Apostles, Three Hierarchs, and Sts. Constantine and Helen – brief – Hieromonk Gregory | 2005-10-09 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Cross – Third Sunday of Lent and August 1 | 2005-10-16 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Prophets and Sts. Joachim and Anna | 2005-10-18 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Holy Thursday – Plagal of Second Mode – slow | 2006-11-28 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Holy Thursday – Plagal of Second Mode – Athonite | 2007-01-26 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Holy Thursday – Plagal of Second Mode – Petridis | 2005-09-24 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Holy Thursday – First Mode – Petridis | 2006-04-17 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Holy Thursday – Plagal of Fourth Mode – Petridis | 2009-06-28 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
Concluding Hymns
We recommend avoiding all the settings in this section, as they predate the formulaic approach.
| Music | Latest PDF date | Notes | Recommendation | Liturgical English Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| We have seen the true light | 2005-09-19 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Remember us also | 2005-06-20 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Let our Mouths be Filled | 2005-11-09 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Blessed be the Name of the Lord | 2005-11-09 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Christ is Risen – brief version | 2006-11-28 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Ton Despotin | 2005-11-09 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Ton Evlogounta | 2005-09-22 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Through the Prayers | 2006-11-28 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
Liturgy of St. Basil
We recommend avoiding all the settings in this section, as they predate the formulaic approach.
| Music | Latest PDF date | Notes | Recommendation | Liturgical English Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lord, have mercy – St. Basil | 2005-06-20 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| In thee who art full of grace | 2007-11-12 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| In thee who art full of grace – brief | 2005-06-20 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Anaphora – St. Basil | 2007-11-29 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Anaphora – St. Basil – brief | 2005-06-20 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Anaphora – brief – Plagal of First Mode | 2005-06-20 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
We recommend the revised First Mode settings of “Now the Hosts…” and “O taste and see…” in this section; the remaining settings predate the formulaic approach and should be avoided.
| Music | Latest PDF date | Notes | Recommendation | Liturgical English Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Let my prayer be set forth | 2005-08-08 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Let my prayer be set forth – Plagal of First Mode – Traditional | 2005-08-15 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Let my prayer be set forth – Fourth Mode | 2005-08-15 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Let my prayer be set forth – Plagal of Second Mode – Brief | 2005-08-15 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Let my prayer be set forth – Grave Mode | 2005-08-15 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Let my prayer be set forth – Plagal of Second Mode – Slow | 2005-11-08 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
| Now the Hosts – First Mode | 2009-08-06 | Revised 2009-08-06 to conform to formulaic rules | 🟢 USE | |
| Now the Hosts – First Mode – brief | 2005-10-29 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Now the Hosts – Fourth Mode | 2005-11-20 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Now the Hosts – Plagal of Second Mode | 2005-06-20 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Now the Hosts – Plagal of Fourth Mode | 2005-06-20 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| O taste and see – First Mode | 2009-03-26 | Revised 2009-03-26 to conform to formulaic rules | 🟢 USE | |
| O taste and see – First Mode – brief | 2005-09-27 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| O taste and see – Fourth Mode – brief | 2005-09-27 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| I will bless the Lord | 2005-06-20 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | Basil Crow |
Liturgy of St. James
We recommend avoiding all the settings in this section, as they predate the formulaic approach.
| Music | Latest PDF date | Notes | Recommendation | Liturgical English Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O magnify the Lord | 2005-11-09 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| We proclaim Thy death | 2006-11-28 | Predates formulaic approach, even after revisions | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Remember them, O Lord | 2005-09-27 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Pardon, Remit, and Forgive | 2005-09-27 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |
| Fill my mouth | 2005-09-27 | Predates formulaic approach | 🔴 AVOID | — |