No, there is no such thing as the Appalachian Orthodox Church. However, there are people that have considered what an Orthodox hymn would sound like that follows the tonal rules but has Appalachian harmonies. About a year ago, I posted a “Christ is Risen” sung to those harmonies. Today, I am posting a megalynarion sung to that type of harmony. Not surprisingly, it also has a bit of Celtic sound to my ear.
I am of the opinion that more and more we need to make use of local harmonic singing while still following the tonal rules. It is controversial. On the forum on which the above hymn was posted, about half of the people did not like it. Interestingly enough, only one person did not like it because he felt the music was not adequate. Mostly you could hear people sniffing loudly and saying that it is not Byzantine. But, since this was produced by an OCA monastery, of course it is not Byzantine. Though I was ordained Antiochian and am at a Greek Orthodox parish, I regret very much that many in those two jurisdictions have bought into the idea that only Byzantine hymn is true Orthodox singing. Obviously, the Slavs do not think so, given the hymn above.
Every country that has been touched by Orthodoxy has eventually developed its own musical tradition slightly or very separate from original Byzantine singing. I think that this is a good thing, and worthy of emulation. I hope more musical work, like the above, happens soon.
Sounded beautiful to me, but I’m a Protestant with deep roots in the South.
Our church choir will sometimes sing this as a recessional after liturgy.
I didn’t know that’s what it was! I could hear the Appalachian sounds to it though. 🙂
Now if only Monk Martin could get an entire Liturgy and Vespers written! It would be perfect for the weekend of All Saints of North America.
Very beautiful!
What does Appalachian mean? Is it a tradition of the eastern coast? Does it have to do with the first settlers from the British Isles?
Appalachia is a geographical area in the USA. The Appalachian Mountains run through it. The central part developed its own culture and its own musical style which is a mixture of Scottish, Irish, and a bit of old English.
Thank you, father! Very interesting!
I really like this! It does not surprise me that you hear Celtic influence since most of the ppl that populated the Appalachian mountains were Scot and Scot Irish. From my genealogy research, the Irish got tired of the Presbyterian Scots who had fled Scotland during the persecution by the Catholic Church so large groups of them left for America and they settled in the mountains that reminded them of home. The music and the language of Appalachia definitely has a Celtic flavor to it. Thanks for posting this!
Beautiful!
Where can one find sheet music for this??
Sadly, I do not know where to find the sheet music.
This is absolutely beautiful! It makes SO much more musical sense to me because it follows a specific and familiar musical timing. I attend an OCA parish and have been Orthodox for 20 years, but I have never been able to fully adapt to the music, even with a 4 part choir.