The Hymnal Project
In 2016, the Metropolitan Cantor Institute was asked by our Music Commission to begin work on a collection of spiritual songs (sometimes called paraliturgical hymns). What are spiritual songs?
The material below documents the collaborative process used to put it together. Here is the version I plan to submit to the Inter-Eparchial Music Commission in May, 2020:
If you find any errors, or have suggestions while we wait for a response from the Music Commission, please send them to mci@archpitt.org!
** Update, November 2020 **
Based on input from Bishop Milan of Parma, and after consultation with a number of other contributors, I have decided to split the draft hymnal into two pieces - one with the traditional "core" hymns for the liturgical year, in English and original languages on opposite pages; and one with the more recent hymns "for Sundays and feast-days." I believe this will be easier to use overall, and simpler than seasonal hymnals with duplicated material in each one.
Here are the two volumes, which I will be sending to the Inter-Eparchial Music Commission for review and consideration:
- Traditional Hymns of the Byzantine Catholic Metropolitan Church (189 pages) - booklet version
- Hymns for Sundays and Feast-days (137 pages) - booklet version
I have also excerpted the traditional Christmas hymns into a smaller booklet suitable for caroling. Like the full traditional hymnal, it includes music (and in some cases Slavonic texts) for the traditional "English" carols sung in our churches:
Use them as you like; please send me any suggestions you may have! Individual pages of both books can be printed from the Hymnal Project page, inserted into parish bulletins, etc. I plan to make recordings of each hymn or tune, and also provide harmonizations, as soon as the Music Commission has finished its review!
Why we need a hymnal
Our church has a rich singing tradition, both for the liturgy itself, and for hymns that are sung before and after liturgical services, and on special occasions such as pilgrimages. Our prayer books and service books have often contained the texts for these hymns in an appendix; the music was well known, and many members of the church had learned and memorized additional verses. Of course, as with any oral tradition, variants abounded, and choir directors sometimes developed their own versions of the same basic hymns.
In 2006, with the publication of a new Divine Liturgy book, our Music Commission began work on a hymnal to accompany it. Unfortunately, this work was never completed, and instead the Metropolitan Cantor Institute published a small hymnal with just text and music for the hymns contained in our previous Divine Liturgy book (1978). No critical work was done at that time; problems with the existing text and music, well-known to cantors, were never resolved, and a wide variety of other music was not included since the goal was simply to reproduce "what we had in the old book."
Today, much of this music is in danger of being lost, either though lack of availability, or because the problems with some of the music prevent us from recognizing its value to our community. By creating a single good hymnal, we may be able to retivalize our singing of these hymns, to the glory of God, and the engagement of our people, especially our children.
Guidelines for a new hymnal
- It should contain all the hymns routinely sung in our churches, in both English and (where appropriate) the original languages such as Rusyn and Hungarian, with suitable pronunciation helps, and literal translations (though these may be made available separately rather than in the hymnal itself).
- New hymns may be added to fill gaps or particular needs.
- Hymns in English should be singable, correctly accented, and accord with our theology and spirituality.
- All text and music should be properly credited where the originator(s) can be identified.
- The hymnal should be organized in such a way that it is easy to locate desired hymns.
In addition:
- When a hymn has several verses, they should be regular: that is, slurs should occur in particular places, and accents should not move from one verse to the next.
- When the same melody is used for several different hymns, the same basic form of the melody should be used.
- Notated music should be clear: in particular, any harmonization should be in a supplement rather than in the main hymnal.
Discuss and improve these guidelines.
Choosing which hymns to include
The first real hymnal in our church is the Pisennik ("song-book") of Father Uriel Silvay, published in Uzhorod. Here is a PDF of the 1913 edition (large download!). It does not contain music, since the melodies were assumed to be well-known. It could really use an index and commentary, if anyone would like to work on one! Many of these same hymn texts were also included in the backs of prayer books and liturgical anthologies (sborniki). I will attempt to provide a finder's guide to hymns in the more commonly known prayer books. We also have a variety of choir recordings of these hymns in their original languages.
English translations appeared over time. In 1970, a small collection of hymns with music was included in the music notebook, Byzantline Liturgical Chant; these hymns can be viewed here. A basic "core" repertoire in English and Slavonic was published in the 1978 service book, The Divine Liturgy: A Book of Prayer, prepared by Father William Levkulic and published by the Byzantine Seminary Press. This book contained no music, only texts, and omittted a number of well-known hymns. In 2007, the Metropolitan Cantor Institute published the repertoire from the back of Father Levkulic's 1978 book, with music from Byzantine Liturgical Chant and other source. This is the Byzantine Catholic Hymnal.
The 1984 Divine Liturgy book of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese provided twelve pages with many of the same hymns, with music but different translations.
And of course, there have also been particular collections of hymns for specific seasons and purposes (which we will describe in the appropriate place), as we well as anthologies put together by individual cantors and choir directors. ALL of these hould be considered for possible inclusion, if they meet a new in our Church.
Creating such comprehensive hymnal will be a LARGE project, and it would be most practical to address them by liturgical season or subject. In each category, we will look at the available hymns, pick the ones we would like to include, and work on the texts and music until we have something serviceable. Your input is welcome; see the links to comment below!
How to contribute
The tables below have four columns for each hymn.
- English title - a link to the latest English-language version of each song
- Slavonic title - a link to the Slavonic (or other original language) version, where there is one
- Discuss - is there is a link here, it points to the current work on the song. The linked discussion article points to a blog post where you can add your comments.
- Status - state of work on the song
Songs with a Discuss link in bold face are actively being worked on, or have unresolved issues.
To help with the review of a hymn, follow the Discuss link, and leave any questions or comments in the associated blog entry. You can also send email to mci@archpitt.org.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO USE THESE VERSIONS IN CHURCH (with your pastor's permission, of course) but please do NOT use them in large gatherings such as pilgrimages unless some rollout or distribution of new music has been provided for. I would rather that people's first experience of new settings not be associated with sort of confusion or discord.
Hymns to God
These hymns are particularly suitable for singing immediately before the Divine Liturgy, during the initial incensation of the church.
| English title | Slavonic title | Discuss | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Holy Trinity | Hosts of angels on high | Vs’i T’a chory | Done | |
| God the Father | So great is God | Kol’ slaven naš | Done | |
| We thank you, God Most High | Blahodarim Boha | Additional verses in English | ||
| Our Lord Jesus Christ | Accept me today* | Večeri Tvojeja tajnyja dnes’ | ||
| Come now to us, O Christ | Vitaj mežd’ nami | Done | ||
| Give me your Body, O Christ* | T’ilo Christove | Done | ||
| Holy this moment | Plivyj svitami | Done | ||
| I do believe and profess* | Viruju Hospodi | Done | ||
| Lord, in this holy Mystery | Isusa v Svjatych Tajnach | Done | ||
| O Jesus, Lord, we ask you to bless us | Blahoslovi vs’ich, Isuse milyj | discuss | Omit | |
| Holy Spirit | Heavenly King, Comforter | Carju Nebesnyj, Ut'išitel'u | Done | |
| O Holy Spirit, mighty defender | Carju nebesnyj, Bože mohučij | Done | ||
| The Holy Spirit shall come upon you | Duch Svjatyj snidet na t'a | Done | ||
| After the Liturgy | A new commandment | Siju zapovid' daju vam | ||
* = suiitable for singing at Holy Communion, after the Communion Hymn and psalm of the day
Hymns for the Mother of God
Hymns for the Liturgical Year
Newly-composed Hymns for the Liturgical Year
Over the years, the Metropolitan Cantor Institute has received requests for new hymns, particularly for ordinary and festal Sundays. The MCI director at the time, J. Michael Thompson, composed several such hymns, usually consisting of a commentary on the readings of the day, and set them to well-known melodies. (This practice of "re-using" familiar melodies was widely employed in our church in Europe.) Several other hymn-writers are also represented here, as well as some melodies commonly used in our parishes for Christmas carols.
Because only English versions of these are available, they will go into a separate section in the proposed hymnal.
| Occasion | Title | Melody | Discuss | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee | Lord of all mercy | Krestu Tvojemu | ||
| Sunday of the Prodigal Son | Hear now, you faithful | Krestu Tvojemu | ||
| Sunday of Meat-fare | When you shall come | Krestu Tvojemu | ||
| Sunday of Cheese-fare | Lord and Creator | Krestu Tvojemu | ||
| Forgiveness Vespers | Forgive our sins | Pod tvoj pokrov | ||
| First Sunday of the Great Fast | With joy we keep the holy fast (1) | JMT | ||
| Second Sunday of the Great Fast | With joy we keep the holy fast (2) | JMT | ||
| Third Sunday of the Great Fast | With joy we keep the holy fast (3) | JMT | ||
| Fourth Sunday of the Great Fast | With joy we keep the holy fast (4) | JMT | ||
| Akathistos Saturday | Through you, joy will shine | Anhel Božij | ||
| Fifth Sunday of the Great Fast | With joy we keep the holy fast (5) | JMT | ||
| Lazarus Saturday | Jesus our Life came to the tomb | Radujsja zilo | ||
| Thomas Sunday | The evening of the day He rose | Christos voskres! Pid neba zwid | ||
| Sunday of the Myrrh-bearers | The first day of the week at dawn | Christos voskres! Pid neba zwid | ||
| Sunday of the Paralytic | Bethsaida's pool | Christos voskres! Pid neba zwid | ||
| Mid-Pentecost Wednesday | At festal midpoint, Jesus went | Christos voskres! Pid neba zwid | ||
| Sunday of the Samaritan Woman | While in Samaria | Christos voskres! Pid neba zwid | ||
| Sunday of the Man Born Blind | As Jesus walked | Christos voskres! Pid neba zwid | ||
| Ascension of the Lord | All you peoples clap your hands | Prof. Kahanick | discuss | |
| Ascension of the Lord | Christ told the Twelve | Christos voskres! Pid neba zwid | ||
| Sunday of the Fathers of the First Nicene Council | Then, lifting up his eyes | Christos voskres! Pid neba zwid | ||
| Pentecost Sunday | Upon the last, great festal day | Christos voskres! Pid neba zwid | ||
| All Saints Sunday | Through faith | Kol’ slaven naš | ||
| 2nd Sunday after Pentecost | As Jesus walked the beaches | Pod tvoj pokrov | ||
| 3rd Sunday after Pentecost | The birds aloft | O Marije Mati Boža | ||
| 4th Sunday after Pentecost | As the Lord was walking | Christijane, proslavljajme | ||
| 5th Sunday after Pentecost | As he walked the land | Anhel Božij | ||
| 6th Sunday after Pentecost | People brought to Jesus | Prizri, O Marije | ||
| 7th Sunday after Pentecost | Two blind men | Pod tvoj pokrov | ||
| 8th Sunday after Pentecost | On seeing throngs who sought him out | Marije Mati Boza | ||
| 9th Sunday after Pentecost | Sending his disciple sailing | Christijane, proslavljajme | ||
| 10th Sunday after Pentecost | To the Master's side | Anhel Božij | ||
| 11th Sunday after Pentecost | Jesus told this story | Prizri, O Marije | ||
| 12th Sunday after Pentecost | A man came up to Christ | Pod tvoj pokrov | ||
| 13th Sunday after Pentecost | The Lord said: "There was once a man..." | O Marije Mati Boža Prečista | ||
| 14th Sunday after Pentecost | Jesus said: God's reign is like | Christijane, proslavljajme | ||
| 15th Sunday after Pentecost | Once a lawyer said to Jesus | Christijane, proslavljajme | ||
| 16th Sunday after Pentecost | Once there was a man | Anhel Božij | ||
| 17th Sunday after Pentecost | Jesus went through Sidon | Prizri, O Marije | ||
| 18th Sunday after Pentecost | When walking by the lakeside | Pod tvoj pokrov | ||
| 19th Sunday after Pentecost | Do unto others | O Marije Mati Boža Prečista | ||
| 20th Sunday after Pentecost | In the town of Naim | Christijane, proslavljajme | ||
| 21th Sunday after Pentecost | Out the farmer went | Anhel Božij | ||
| 22th Sunday after Pentecost | Once there was a rich man | Prizri, O Marije | ||
| 23th Sunday after Pentecost | As he walked the land | Anhel Božij | ||
| 24th Sunday after Pentecost | One day a man named Jairus | Pod tvoj pokrov | ||
| 25th Sunday after Pentecost | A lawyer said to Jesus | O Marije Mati Boža Prečista | ||
| 26th Sunday after Pentecost | Jesus told this parable | Christijane, proslavljajme | ||
| 27th Sunday after Pentecost | On a Sabbath day | Anhel Božij | ||
| 28th Sunday after Pentecost | Once there was a banquet | Prizri, O Marije | ||
| 29th Sunday after Pentecost | As Jesus neared a village | Pod tvoj pokrov | ||
| 30th Sunday after Pentecost | A lawyer said to Jesus | O Marije Mati Boža Prečista | ||
| 31th Sunday after Pentecost | Down the road to Jericho | Christijane, proslavljajme | ||
| 32th Sunday after Pentecost (Sunday of Zacchaeus) | When travelling through Jericho | Pod tvoj pokrov | ||
| September 1 - Beginning of the Church Year | In wisdom You have fashioned all things | Kol’ slaven naš | ||
| September 8 - Nativity of the Theotokos | With the choirs of saints and angels | Mater Bože | ||
| September 7-13 - Sunday before the Exaltation of the Cross | God loved the world so much | O Marije Mati Boža Prečista | ||
| September 14 - Exaltation of the Cross | Life-giving Cross, the power of martyrs | Krestu tvojemu | ||
| September 15-21 - Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross | Christ called the crowd to him | Pod tvoj pokrov | ||
| September 26 - Apostle and evangelist John | O come you now, with praises crown | Kingsfold | ||
| September 28 - Chariton the confessor | By temperance and constant prayer | Ellacombe | ||
| October 1 - Protection of the Theotokos | Sure defense of all who sorrow | Mater Bože | ||
| October 6 - Apostle Thomas | O Lord, to you we raise a hymn (1) | Kingsfold | ||
| October 8 - Apostle James Alpheus | O Lord, to you we raise a hymn (2) | Kingsfold | ||
| October 11-17 - Sunday of the Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council | Come, all you faithful | Kol’ slaven naš | ||
| October 18 - Apostle Luke | O Lord, to you we raise a hymn (3) | Kingsfold | ||
| October 26 - Great martyr Demetrius | Demetrius, Christ's martyr great | Pod tvoj pokrov | ||
| October 31 - Theodore Romža | Christians, come with hymns of gladness | Christijane pribihajte | ||
| November 8 - Archangel Michael | Archangel Michael, Prince of all angels | Kahanick | ||
| November 12 - Priest-martyr Josaphat | God, of all your martyrs, crown | Grosser Gott, wir loben Dich | ||
| November 13 - John Chrysostom | For Chrysostom, the golden-tongued | Pod tvoj pokrov | ||
| November 14 - Apostle Philip | O Lord, to you we raise a hymn (4) | Kingsfold | ||
| November 13 to December 24 - the Nativity Fast | Truly, Zion's People | Prizri, O Marije | ||
| The ancient prophecies foretold | discuss | |||
| November 16 - Apostle Matthew | O Lord, to you we raise a hymn (5) | Kingsfold | ||
| November 21 - Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple | Come all you lovers of the feasts (1) | Forest Green | ||
| Thanksgiving Day | We plow the fields and scatter | Pod tvoj pokrov | ||
| November 30 - Apostle Andrew | O Lord, to you we raise a hymn (6) | Kingsfold | ||
| December 5 - Sabbas the Sanctified | O father of the angelic life | Ellacombe | ||
| December 6 - Nicholas the Wonder-worker | Crowns of praise now let us bring | Tempus Adest Floridum | ||
| December 8 - Maternity of Anna | All Christ's faithful come together | Mater Bože | ||
| December 12 - Theotokos of Guadalupe | Come, all you lovers of the feasts (2) | Forest Green | ||
| December 10-16 - Second Sunday before the Nativity | Let us now praise famous men |
Mendelssohn (Hark! the herald angels sing) | ||
| December 17 - Daniel and the Three Youths | As a star, resplendent | Prizni, O Marije | ||
| December 18-24 - Sunday before the Nativity | O come, you lovers of of the feasts! | St. Louis (O Little Town of Bethlehem) | ||
| December 26-31 - Sunday after the Nativity | Glory to the Lord of all | Mendelssohn (Hark! the herald angels sing) | ||
| January 1 - Circumcision of the Lord; Basil the Great | In his love for the human race | Forest Green | ||
| January 2-5 - Sunday before Theophany | Thus says the Lord: I send before you | Kol’ slaven naš | ||
| January 6 - Theophany | O come, all you faithful (to Jordan's shore) | Adeste fideles | ||
| January 7-14 - Post-festive days of Theophany | God Himself is manifest | Divnaja novina | ||
| January 7-13 - Sunday after Theophany | When John was placed in prison | Kol’ slaven naš | ||
| January 17 - Anthony, Father of Monks | If you would follow me | Franconia | ||
| January 20 - Euthymius the Great | Come let us join the heavenly host | Ellacombe | ||
| January 25 - Gregory the Theologian | Holy father Gregory | Christijane, proslavljajme | ||
| January 30 - Three Holy Hierarchs | ||||
| February 2 - Encounter with Simeon and Anna | Zion, see your Savior come | Mendelssohn (Hark! the herald angels sing) | ||
| March 25 - Annunciation | ||||
| April 25 - Apostle and evangelist Mark | O Lord, to you we raise a hymn (7) | Kingsfold | ||
| April 30 - Apostle James, Brother of John the Theologian | O Lord, to you we raise a hymn (8) | Kingsfold | ||
| May 3 - Theodosius of the Caves | From earliest youth | O Marije Mati Boža Prečista | ||
| May 8 - Apostle and evangelist John the Theologian | O come you now, with praises crown | Kingsfold | ||
| May 9 - Relics of Nicholas the Wonder-worker | Crowns of praise now let us bring (2) | Tempus Adest Floridum | ||
| May 10 - Apostle Simon the Zealot | O Lord, to you we raise a hymn (9) | Kingsfold | ||
| May 11 - Cyril and Methodius | Our Church, in joyful chorus | Kol’ slaven naš | ||
| June 19 - Apostle Jude | O Lord, to you we raise a hymn (10) | Kingsfold | ||
| June 24 - Nativity of John the Baptist | The God-named Voice, lamp of the Light | no suggested tune | ||
| June 27 - Our Lady of Perpetual Help | God of endless love and mercy | Mater Bozhe | ||
| June 29 - Apostles Peter and Paul | Let us with crowns of praises crown | Kingsfold |
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|
| July 13-19 - Sunday of the Fathers of the Six Ecumenical Councils | O Word of God and Lover of Mankind | Kol’ slaven naš | ||
| July 17 - Bishop-confessor Paul Gojdič | Come, all you lovers of the feasts (3) | Pod tvoj pokrov | ||
| July 20 - Prophet Elijah | Let all Christ's Church assembled here | Pod tvoj pokrov | ||
| July 23 - Bishop-confessor Basil Hopko | The Church of God with angel ranks | Ellacombe | ||
| August 6 - Transfiguration of the Lord | O Lord, when you were shown in your glory | Kol' slaven nas | ||
| August 6 - Transfiguration of the Lord | The Master came with his three friends | Pod tvoj pokrov | ||
| August 15 - Dormition of the Theotokos | Death defeated! Love is reigning | Mater Bože | ||
| August 29 - Beheading of John the Baptist | Today in Your forerunner's praise | Forest Green | ||
Additional hymns
These will go at the end of the section of new hymns for the liturgical year.
| Occasion | Title | Melody | Discuss | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Rejoice with us, you angel ranks | Pod tvoj pokrov | ||
| Tuesday | O blessed John, the Master's friend | Forest Green | ||
| Wednesday | Christ our Savior, save me | Palomniki Uniontowns'ki | ||
| Thursday | You have magnified, O Savior | Veselisja vo čistot'i | ||
| Friday | When you were crucified, O our Savior | Krestu tvojemu | ||
| Saturday | O Savior, Jesus, Lord of all | Pod tvoj pokrov | ||
| All Souls Saturdays | With your most holy Blood | Krestu Tvojemu | ||
| Hymn for evening | In your name, your Church has gathered | Christijane, proslavljajme | ||
| Hymn for peace | The Spirit of the Lord Most High | Pod tvoj pokrov | ||
| Hymn for monastic profession | Take the helmet of salvation | Palomniki Uniontowns'ki | ||
| Hymn for presbyteral ordination | That first Paschal night | Anhel Božij | ||
| Hymn for priesthood | Look down, O Lord, from above | Cherubic hymn melody (Papp) | ||
Hymns for Minor Saints
These hymns will probably NOT be part of the hymnal, but may be collected separately. A few of them are more generally useful; for example, the hymn for Mary of Egypt (April 1) might also fittingly be sung throughout the Great Fast.
| Occasion | Title | Melody | Discuss | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 4 - Bishop-martyr Babylas, Prophet Moses | O God of power | Pod tvoj pokrov | ||
| September 13 - Dedication of the Church of the Resurrection | The law of old | Kol’ slaven naš | ||
| October 5 - Martyr Charitina | With your blood, O Christ | Anhel Božij |
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| October 10 - Eulamopius and Eulampia | With your blood, O Christ | Anhel Božij | ||
| October 11 - Deacon Philip, Venerable Theophane | The infant church | O Marije Mati Boža Prečista | ||
| October 16 - Martyr Longinus | Christ our God, your crucifixion | Ode to Joy | ||
| October 23 - Apostle James, Brother of the Lord | O Lord, to you we raise a hymn (11) | Kingsfold | ||
| October 31 - Martyrs Zenobius and Zenobia | With your blood, O Christ | Anhel Božij | ||
| December 4 - John Damascene | O Love of God, who for our sake | Kingsfold | ||
| December 4 - Great-martyr Barbara | Loving God, whose service | Mater Bože | ||
| December 7 - Ambrose of Milan | O Mystery of God's own love | Kingsfold | ||
| December 20 - Bishop-martyr Ignatius | O God of our forebears | St. Denio | ||
| January 16 - Veneration of the Chains of Peter | When, for Christ, you were imprisoned | Ode to Joy | ||
| January 18 - Anthony and Cyril of Alexandria | Believers, let our hymns of joy | O Marije Mati Boža Prečista | ||
| January 21 - Maximus the Confessor | In Christ, who is both God and human | Kol' slaven nas | ||
| January 23 - Priest-martyr Clement | Through all your mystic labors here | Pod tvoj pokrov | ||
| January 28 - Ephrem the Syrian | Blessed be the Spirit's bread | Christijane, proslavljajme | ||
| February 5 - Woman-martyr Agatha | Lord, you fool the strong with weakness | Nettleton | ||
| February 11 - Bishop-martyr Blaise | In Christ by faith | Dunlap's Creek | ||
| February 18 - Pope Leo the Great | The Lord calls forth leaders | St. Denio | ||
| April 1 - Mary of Egypt | O God of love, you sought us out | Ellacombe | ||
| May 1 - Prophet Jeremiah | Let the faithful's choir | Anhel Božij | ||
| May 6 - Job the long-suffering | In the days of old | Anhel Božij | ||
| June 8 - Martyr Leontius | Jesus, strength of all your martyrs | Mati svita | ||
| June 21 - Martyr Julian of Tarsus | O Christ our God, your martyrs brave | O Marije Mati Boža Prečista | ||
| June 22 - Priest-martyr Eusebius | Come, all you who glory | Prizri, O Marije | ||
| June 23 - Woman-martyr Agrippina | With your blood, O Christ | Anhel Božij | ||
| June 25 - Woman-martyr Febronia | Now the turning of the seasons | Christijane, proslavljajme | ||
| June 26 - David of Thessalonica | Jesus, Lord, we sing your glory | Veselisja vo čistot'i | ||
| August 10 - Lawrence of Rome | In the times so dire | Anhel Božij | ||