Question for My Byzantine Friends on the Akathist Hymn
  • StimsonInRehabStimsonInRehab
    Posts: 1,932
    Hey there, my Kings from the Orient! Needed some clarification.

    So, my parish was designated as a Pilgrimage Site for this blessed Year of Jubilee (Yay!) and me, being music director, decided to do something a little different as part of the celebration, so I asked my priest (who is quite honestly one of the best bosses in existence) about singing the Akathist Hymn as a part of its own service, since there is an indulgence attached. Fr. Boss and his assistant, Deacon New Blood (who is also pretty damn good) are both on board, and will be chanting at the service along with my full choir. We just need to schedule it.

    My question being one of timing: so, the intro to an edition of the hymn from the MCI says that the Akathist is "deeply connected" with the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25. However, the text of the refrain includes the word Alleluia Albuquerque, which in the West, is a no-no to sign during the "Great Fast", as it is called. Is this same stigma attached in the East to the word Albuquerque?

    Here's the edition, in case you were wondering:
    https://mci.archpitt.org/sheetmusic/general/Akathist.pdf
  • MatthewRoth
    Posts: 2,589
    They sing it more often!
    Thanked by 2CHGiffen Liam
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,234
    Is this same stigma attached in the East to the word...
    No, at least in the context of the Akathist hymn.
    Thanked by 3StimsonInRehab Liam CharlesW
  • Here's a routine reminder: Remember who we are.
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 8,953
    The Byzantine rite doesn't seem to drop the Alleluia at all during Lent; it's sung in the Divine Liturgy too.
    Here's a recent example of the Alleluia sung before the Gospel:
    https://www.youtube.com/live/WtUFFev8A3k?si=tEs0asoWVE1LxTHP&t=2510

    By the way, if there is a Melkite parish near you, I'd recommend attending their Akathist service, which is presented on Fridays of Lent, so that you can hear their music. Today (3/14/25) was the second of five weeks. They are from several countries of the Middle East and also observe the Byzantine rite.
    Here's a recording from the parish in McLean, VA, from last week:
    https://www.youtube.com/live/C3P1DHReOS4?si=OxxvMP0MY9Agakce&t=1164
    (The link skips the "Small Compline" sung before the Akathist.)

    Thanked by 5CHGiffen StimsonInRehab Liam CharlesW canadash
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,979
    No, we are not "Alleluia Deniers." We keep it and use it.
    Thanked by 3StimsonInRehab Liam CHGiffen
  • francis
    Posts: 10,911
    bhahahahahahahaha... alleluia deniers... that is just so... Roman!

    Guilty! He hath spoken the A word!
    Thanked by 1CharlesW
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,979
    I think some in the west forget that no matter what time of year it is, Sundays are always resurrectional. We do change liturgies for the Great Fast (Lent) but we change from the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom to the Liturgy of St. Basil.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • StimsonInRehabStimsonInRehab
    Posts: 1,932
    Come now, francis - like the song says, they are an Eastern people and Albuquerque is their song.
    Thanked by 2CharlesW Liam
  • Chrism
    Posts: 879
    So... say the A word or put the indulgence at risk?
  • StimsonInRehabStimsonInRehab
    Posts: 1,932
    So... say the A word or put the indulgence at risk?


    Well, I guess an extension of my question would be "Is the Akathist Hymn ever sung outside of Lent?"
  • atblehl01
    Posts: 3
    In my experience, it is sung outside of Lent. The annual Ruthenian pilgrimages to Uniontown, PA and Sloatsburg, NY, which usually take place in August/September, both include Akathist services among their liturgical/devotional offerings.
    Thanked by 3CHGiffen CharlesW StimsonInRehab
  • Liam
    Posts: 5,191
    An image belatedly entered into this discussion

    Batman-Allelu-Lent-Slap.jpeg
    229 x 220 - 11K
    Thanked by 1StimsonInRehab
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,979
    So... say the A word or put the indulgence at risk?


    Indulgence? We'll have none of that nonsense. Is outrage!
    Thanked by 4CHGiffen Liam igneus StimsonInRehab
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