MUSIC

Published by the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians, March 10, 2005

NEW CHURCH MUSIC RESOURCE ANNOUNCED:
THE 2005 LITURGICAL GUIDEBOOK

The National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians has recently completed and distributed the 2005 LITURGICAL GUIDEBOOK. It lists the weekly changes of the hymns, responses, verses, and Gospel and Epistle readings for Sunday Divine Liturgies and the major Feast Days of the liturgical year. This is the 29th edition of the GUIDEBOOK published by the Forum since its origin with the GOYA Music Committee in the 1960's.

In addition to the weekly changes, the GUIDEBOOK also contains an extensive annotated bibliography of Greek Orthodox church music and liturgical education materials that are available for choirs, chanters, clergy, children and youth, organists, and parishes. It is one of the most comprehensive bibliographies of Greek Orthodox church music for both Greek and English texts available in the Archdiocese of America.

In the frontispiece of the GUIDEBOOK, His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios noted: "To be true to the exhortation of St. Paul to Timothy to “guard the deposit of the faith” (1 Tim. 6:20), a careful and deliberate effort is needed to preserve and sustain the rich liturgical tradition of the Orthodox Church that has been handed down to us from the earliest centuries of Christianity. … The Liturgical Guidebook has accomplished this objective and has dispensed valuable information for church musicians to follow… I offer all the choir directors, chanters, and choir members my heartfelt appreciation for your valued service to our parishes.”

As the official Archdiocesan resource for Greek Orthodox church musicians, this year’s LITURGICAL GUIDEBOOK was sent to more than 900 choir directors, clergy, psaltai, and church administrators earlier this year. Dr. Vicki Pappas, National Chairman of the National Forum noted that “the Guidebook has become an invaluable resource for the church musicians and parishes of our Archdiocese As you browse through the Guidebook, you’ll find a wealth of information within its pages. I hope the 2005 LITURGICAL GUIDEBOOK proves to be a valuable aid as you carry out your important and sacred ministry for the Church.”

Dr. Pappas also recognized the considerable contributions of the two National Forum members responsible for the publication of the LITURGICAL GUIDEBOOK each year. Mr. Peter N. Vatsures of the Annunciation Cathedral in Columbus, OH serves as editor and distributor, and Dr. Nicolas Maragos of the Sts. Anargyroi parish of Rochester, MN conducts the research about the liturgical changes and computerizes the development of the weekly charts.

Copies of the 2005 LITURGICAL GUIDEBOOK are still available at a cost of $25.00, which includes shipping and handling. Additional information about the GUIDEBOOK may be obtained from Mr. Vatsures at 68 West Cooke Road, Columbus, OH 43214; E-mail vatspnv@hotmail.com.



Volume 7 Number 11 - Tuesday, March 15th, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY