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The Music of the Church
St Ephrem the Syrian, Hymnographer
St Ephrem the Syrian, Hymnographer
St Ephrem the Syrian, Hymnographer
St Romanos the Melodist
St Romanos the Melodist
St Romanos the Melodist
St Kassiani
St Kassiani
St Kassiani
Singing a capella is characteristic of Orthodox Christian hymnography. This tradition is rooted in the Orthodox Church's understanding of man. Genesis 1:26-31 and 2:19-20 present man both as created from the dust of the earth and as after the image and likeness of God. To man also has been entrusted the stewardship of the earth. Therefore patristic tradition sees in man a microcosm of the universe, encompassing both the spiritual and material aspects of creation.

When man worships God, his worship is two-fold, both spiritual and physical. In this act, man joins the angels and all spiritual creation in the never-ending liturgy of eternal worship since he too is a spiritual being. As partaker and steward of physical creation, man worships on behalf of the physical universe, joining the cosmos in the proclamation of the glory of God (Psalm 19:1-4). What then is a better instrument for God's worship than the voice of the one who represents all creation? For this reason the Orthodox Church worships God using the human voice as its sole musical instrument.

Orthodox Christian hymnography possesses many rich national traditions: Byzantine-Greek, Byzantine-Arab, Russian, Romanian, Georgian, Serbian, Bulgarian, Carpatho-Russian, and so forth. The choir of St. Philip's Antiochian Orthodox Church stands predominantly in the Byzantine-Arab musical tradition, although we often sing hymns using musical settings of other traditions, as well as some contemporary ones. Our language of worship is English.


Adult Choir
St. Philip’s Church Choir consists of singers who dedicate a great deal of time and effort to beautifying the services of the church.  They take seriously the words of the psalmist who said, “I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live.”  Bishop BASIL has said, “Church singing is not a hobby.  It is not something one does for personal fulfillment.  It is first and foremost a duty, a duty of those to whom God has given musical talents.  Angels were created to serve and to praise, and you have been given voices for that same purpose.”

The adult choir rehearses from early September through mid-June.  Check the church calendar for specific scheduling. 
Sing to the Lord: Exploring the Many Facets of Orthodox Liturgical Singing  (Ancient Faith podcast - multiple lectures available)
Youth Choir
St. Philip's Youth Choir is made up of youth in grades 2 through 8, and rehearses for approximately six weeks prior to Christmas and Pascha, with the same hard work and dedication as the adult choir. The youth choir takes the place of the adult choir in singing for St. Nicholas Vespers and the Christmas Program in December, as well as one Presanctified Liturgy during Lent and Royal Hours on Holy Friday.
 
The objectives the Youth Choir are:
  • To deepen the faith of the children
  • To deepen their understanding and appreciation of the hymns
  • To engage them in the liturgical life of the Church, and
  • To help them grow as musicians and singers.

Check our calendar for Youth Choir Rehearsal dates.

Click here to listen to our youth choir:  Presanctified Liturgy March 21, 2012  (mp3)
(Liturgy begins at 1:45.  You may need to turn the volume up.)





Calendar

Searchable Scripture


Searchable Bible (King James Version), including the "Deuterocanonical/Aprocryphal" books
          http://quod.lib.umich.edu/k/kjv/


Podcasts

Podcasts
Why Do We Go to Church?: Worship & the Image of God
12 Apr 2023 at 2:47pm

In this reboot of Living Orthodoxy, Sdn Justin Gohl and Rdr Nick Muzekari discuss the importance of going to Church, participating in the worship of the Church, as the place where we encounter Christ and find the true purpose of our lives as human...



Homily: Fr Noah on The Sunday of the Prodigal Son (3/28/21)
12 Mar 2021 at 2:25pm

We are prodigals who have gone astray and need to return to the Father. We must see ourselves as the older brother...



End of Liturgy Homily: Fr. Witalis Sunday of the Prodigal Son
12 Mar 2021 at 2:06pm

Fr. Witalis reminds us of the perils of sexual immorality. 



Homily: Fr James Thayer
18 Mar 2020 at 10:11am

Homily given by Fr James Thayer on the Divine Liturgy



Homily: Sdn Luke Carpenter (03-08-20)
12 Mar 2020 at 10:11am

Homily given by Subdeacon Luke Carpenter on the Sunday of Orthodoxy




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And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. (Acts 11:26)

Saint Philip Orthodox Church
1970 Clearview Road
Souderton, PA  18964
215-721-4947
office [at] st-philip.net

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