Para-liturgical Hymns

For centuries, individual Christians have written songs in praise of God and the saints. Some of these have found their way into the Church's official liturgy; others are sung before and after the church services, and at special occasions such as pilgrimages or other commemorations. Both liturgical and non-liturgical hymns can be sung whenever the occasion permits: Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and inspired songs. Sing praise to the Lord with all your hearts. (Ephesians 5:18-20)

This page provides hymns for use on various occasions, and includes both old and newer hymns. In some cases, more than one translation or setting of a hymn may be included. If your parish has a hymn (notated or recorded) to contribute, please contact the webmaster.

Eucharistic Hymns

These hymns may be sung during Holy Communion, after the singing of the Communion Hymn for the day.

Marian Hymns

Hymns in honor of the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary are often sung before the Divine Liturgy, as well at services such as Molebens or Akathists, and on pilgrimages.

"Rejoice, O Purest Mother" (Dormition)

Additional hymns to the Mother of God can be found in the Marian Hymnal, available from the Byzantine Seminary Press.

Festal Hymns

The following hymns are for particular days in the Church's calendar, to be sung before or after the Divine Liturgy.

for August 6 (Transfiguration)
for August 15 (Dormition; see also "Marian Hymns" above)
for August 29 (Beheading of the Baptist)
for September 1 (Beginning of the church year)
for September 4 (St. Babylas and St. Moses)
for September 8 (Nativity of the Theotokos)
for September 14 (Exaltation of the Holy Cross)
for October 1 (Protection of the Mother of God)
for October 9 (James Alpheus)
for November 1 (Blessed Theodore Romzha)
for November 8 (Archangel Michael)
for November 13 (John Chrysostom)
for November 21 (Entrance of the Mother of God)
for February 2 (Encounter of the Lord with Simeon and Anna)

Seasonal Hymns

for St. Phillip's Fast
for the Great Fast (Ukrainian)
This hymn was written for (and published in) "The Divine Liturgy: An Anthology." The first, second, and last stanzas are sung on all of the five Sundays; the (numbered) stanzas are sung on the week correspoding to that number.

Hymns for Sundays

The following newly-written hymn texts, set to familiar Rusyn melodies, are based on the Gospel and Epistle readings for each Sunday in the Byzantine Lectionary. These are meant to provide additional options for singing BEFORE the Divine Liturgy, helping the faithful to focus on the Word of God which will be proclaimed that day.