Cantors and Readers

 

Purpose

In the Byzantine liturgical tradition, the cantor (ψάλτης-psaltis in Greek) is the person responsible for leading the faithful in singing the responses to the celebrant clergy, and of singing the many hymns called for during the Sacred Services and the Divine Liturgy. A cantor must be knowledgeable about the ecclesiastical eight-tone musical modal system, as well as the complex structure (rubrics) of the services.

Readers assist the cantors by reading the prayers, lives of the saints, psalms, and epistles during the worship services and the  Divine Liturgy.

Participation

A cantor/reader is always present at an Orthodox Christian worship service or sacrament.  Anthony Gungura and George Dalagelis are our cantors on staff. They are assisted by Dean Dalson, Sousan Gouris, Mary Jaxheimer, George Kyriakodis, and Paul Fisfis. Open to all those who desire to learn the ancient art of Byzantine chant.

GOYAns also assist with the readings during Great Lent, Holy Week, Paraklesis and other services.  GOYAns and young adults who would like to read the Psalms and/or Epistle on a Sunday or feast day should contact George Dalagelis below to be placed on the Readers Schedule.

Contact Person:

George Dalagelis, (215) 635-0316

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Liturgical Texts and Resources

Church Services:

• Complete services for upcoming Sundays and feasts
• Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great
• Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostomos [Greek][English]
• Great Compline
• Service of Sunday Vespers
• The Akathist Hymn and Small Compline
• The Office of the Great Vespers of Pentecost
• The Service of the Small Paraklesis
• Horologion and Psalter

Liturgical Music:

• St Anthony Monastery Divine Music Project
• Psaltologion Online Forum on Church Music
• New Byzantium Publications

Daily Prayers:

• At Midday
• Compline
• Daily Prayers for Orthodox Christians (Complete)
• In The Morning
• Supplementary Prayers
• The Nicene Creed
• The Lord's Prayer

Sacraments:

• Holy Baptism
  • Making of a Catechumen
  • Service of Holy Baptism
• Holy Matrimony
  • Service of Betrothal
  • Service of the Crowning -The Service of Marriage
• Confession
• Preparation for Confession
• Holy Communion
  • Communion of the Sick
  • Communion of the Sick in a Hospital
• Ordinations
  • To the Sub-diaconate (English)
  • To the Diaconate [Greek] [English]
  • To the Priesthood [Greek] [English]
  • To the Episcopacy (Greek)
• Elevations
  • To Archdeacon (Greek)
  • To Economou (Greek)
  • To Spiritual Father (Greek)
  • To Protopresbyter (Greek)

Memorials and Funerals:

• Funeral for Infants
• Funeral Service
• Funeral Service During Renewal Week
• Trisagion for the Dead
• Memorial Service
• Guidelines and Procedures when a Priest Falls Asleep in the Lord

Prayers and Occasional Services

• Akathist in Praise of God's Creation
• Before an Operation
• Blessing and Hallowing of Icons
• Churching of a Mother and Child After Forty Days
• Office of Vespers for the Preservation of Creation
• Order for the Lesser Sanctification of the Water
• Prayer at the Blessing of a Medal
• Prayer at the Blessing of Vehicles of Travel
• Prayer at the Foundation of a House
• Prayer for the Blessing of Homes at Theophany
• Prayer for the Church School
• Prayers for the Sick
• Prayers on the Birth of a Child
• Service of Consecration of a Church
• Service of the Adoption of a Child
• Thanksgiving for Recovery
• The Office of the Vespers for the Preservation of Creation
• Commemoration of the Restoration of the Holy Icons (Celebrated on the Sunday of Orthodoxy, the first Sunday of Lent)