Psalms 1-6.

Done in a style unique and original to St Romanos Hermitage.

The Psalms of David chanted in a style unique to St Romanos Hermitage. Pulling from Russian, Greek, Arabic, Bulgarian, Irish, English plain chant and Gregorian chant musical influences, these Psalms are a subtle fusion of various musical traditions transformed into what has been described by some as having a uniquely American feel with ever-flowing penitence and contemplation. Each Kathisma limits itself to a single melody which then repeats and evolves and elaborates yet remains that original sole melodic idea, like an Orthodox "Tone."

The Orthodox monastic services are completely sung or chanted with no instruments other than the human voice; nearly nothing is ever spoken. There is not a single service in the Orthodox church that does not employ the Psalms. Psalms were sung by the earliest Christians to include Jesus and His apostles.

The Psalter, or the entire group of all the Psalms have been divided into 20 Kathismas of more or less equal length. This then aids their incorporation into various Orthodox services to be chanted or sung entirely throughout each week. It is also the practice in the Orthodox Church to chant the Psalms in the presence of a reposed Orthodox Christian from the time of their repose until their internment. All Psalms here are listed according to the Greek (Septuagint) numbering of the Psalms.

Psalms from the King James translation of 1611.

Cover: Roman of St Romanos Hermitage 

All music composed and chanted by Roman.

Kathisma I (Stasis 1 & 2)

Psalms 7-8

Done in a style unique and original to St Romanos Hermitage.

The Psalms of David chanted in a style unique to St Romanos Hermitage. Pulling from Russian, Greek, Arabic, Bulgarian, Irish, English plain chant and Gregorian chant musical influences, these Psalms are a subtle fusion of various musical traditions transformed into what has been described by some as having a uniquely American feel with ever-flowing penitence and contemplation. Each Kathisma limits itself to a single melody which then repeats and evolves and elaborates yet remains that original sole melodic idea, like an Orthodox "Tone."

The Orthodox monastic services are completely sung or chanted with no instruments other than the human voice; nearly nothing is ever spoken. There is not a single service in the Orthodox church that does not employ the Psalms. Psalms were sung by the earliest Christians to include Jesus and His apostles.

The Psalter, or the entire group of all the Psalms have been divided into 20 Kathismas of more or less equal length. This then aids their incorporation into various Orthodox services to be chanted or sung entirely throughout each week. It is also the practice in the Orthodox Church to chant the Psalms in the presence of a reposed Orthodox Christian from the time of their repose until their internment. All Psalms here are listed according to the Greek (Septuagint) numbering of the Psalms.

Psalms from the King James translation of 1611.

Cover: Roman of St Romanos Hermitage 

All music composed and chanted by Roman.

Kathisma I (Stasis 3)

Psalms 9-16

Done in a style unique and original to St Romanos Hermitage.

The Psalms of David chanted in a style unique to St Romanos Hermitage. Pulling from Russian, Greek, Arabic, Bulgarian, Irish, English plain chant and Gregorian chant musical influences, these Psalms are a subtle fusion of various musical traditions transformed into what has been described by some as having a uniquely American feel with ever-flowing penitence and contemplation. Each Kathisma limits itself to a single melody which then repeats and evolves and elaborates yet remains that original sole melodic idea, like an Orthodox "Tone."

The Orthodox monastic services are completely sung or chanted with no instruments other than the human voice; nearly nothing is ever spoken. There is not a single service in the Orthodox church that does not employ the Psalms. Psalms were sung by the earliest Christians to include Jesus and His apostles.

The Psalter, or the entire group of all the Psalms have been divided into 20 Kathismas of more or less equal length. This then aids their incorporation into various Orthodox services to be chanted or sung entirely throughout each week. It is also the practice in the Orthodox Church to chant the Psalms in the presence of a reposed Orthodox Christian from the time of their repose until their internment. All Psalms here are listed according to the Greek (Septuagint) numbering of the Psalms.

Psalms from the King James translation of 1611.

Cover: Roman of St Romanos Hermitage 

All music composed and chanted by Roman.

Kathisma II

Psalms 17-23

Done in a style unique and original to St Romanos Hermitage.

The Psalms of David chanted in a style unique to St Romanos Hermitage. Pulling from Russian, Greek, Arabic, Bulgarian, Irish, English plain chant and Gregorian chant musical influences, these Psalms are a subtle fusion of various musical traditions transformed into what has been described by some as having a uniquely American feel with ever-flowing penitence and contemplation. Each Kathisma limits itself to a single melody which then repeats and evolves and elaborates yet remains that original sole melodic idea, like an Orthodox "Tone."

The Orthodox monastic services are completely sung or chanted with no instruments other than the human voice; nearly nothing is ever spoken. There is not a single service in the Orthodox church that does not employ the Psalms. Psalms were sung by the earliest Christians to include Jesus and His apostles.

The Psalter, or the entire group of all the Psalms have been divided into 20 Kathismas of more or less equal length. This then aids their incorporation into various Orthodox services to be chanted or sung entirely throughout each week. It is also the practice in the Orthodox Church to chant the Psalms in the presence of a reposed Orthodox Christian from the time of their repose until their internment. All Psalms here are listed according to the Greek (Septuagint) numbering of the Psalms.

Psalms from the King James translation of 1611.

Cover: Roman of St Romanos Hermitage 

All music composed and chanted by Roman.

Kathisma III

Psalms 24-31

Done in the style of Byzantine Chant.

The Psalms of David chanted in a style unique to St Romanos Hermitage. Pulling from Russian, Greek, Arabic, Bulgarian, Irish, English plain chant and Gregorian chant musical influences, these Psalms are a subtle fusion of various musical traditions transformed into what has been described by some as having a uniquely American feel with ever-flowing penitence and contemplation. Each Kathisma limits itself to a single melody which then repeats and evolves and elaborates yet remains that original sole melodic idea, like an Orthodox "Tone."

The Orthodox monastic services are completely sung or chanted with no instruments other than the human voice; nearly nothing is ever spoken. There is not a single service in the Orthodox church that does not employ the Psalms. Psalms were sung by the earliest Christians to include Jesus and His apostles.

The Psalter, or the entire group of all the Psalms have been divided into 20 Kathismas of more or less equal length. This then aids their incorporation into various Orthodox services to be chanted or sung entirely throughout each week. It is also the practice in the Orthodox Church to chant the Psalms in the presence of a reposed Orthodox Christian from the time of their repose until their internment. All Psalms here are listed according to the Greek (Septuagint) numbering of the Psalms.

Psalms from the King James translation of 1611.

Cover: Roman of St Romanos Hermitage 

All music composed and chanted by Roman.

Kathisma IV

Psalms 101-104

Done in a style unique and original to St Romanos Hermitage.

The Psalms of David chanted in a style unique to St Romanos Hermitage. Pulling from Russian, Greek, Arabic, Bulgarian, Irish, English plain chant and Gregorian chant musical influences, these Psalms are a subtle fusion of various musical traditions transformed into what has been described by some as having a uniquely American feel with ever-flowing penitence and contemplation. Each Kathisma limits itself to a single melody which then repeats and evolves and elaborates yet remains that original sole melodic idea, like an Orthodox "Tone."

The Orthodox monastic services are completely sung or chanted with no instruments other than the human voice; nearly nothing is ever spoken. There is not a single service in the Orthodox church that does not employ the Psalms. Psalms were sung by the earliest Christians to include Jesus and His apostles.

The Psalter, or the entire group of all the Psalms have been divided into 20 Kathismas of more or less equal length. This then aids their incorporation into various Orthodox services to be chanted or sung entirely throughout each week. It is also the practice in the Orthodox Church to chant the Psalms in the presence of a reposed Orthodox Christian from the time of their repose until their internment. All Psalms here are listed according to the Greek (Septuagint) numbering of the Psalms.

Psalms from the King James translation of 1611.

Cover: Roman of St Romanos Hermitage 

All music composed and chanted by Roman.

Kathisma XIV

Cover:  Very Reverend Fr Richard of St James Church

6. Evening Prayers -- Closing Prayer

5. Evening Prayers -- Prayer of the Hours

4. Evening Prayers -- Creed

3. Evening Prayers -- Prayer of Forgiveness

2. Evening Prayers -- Troparia of Thanksgiving

1. Evening Prayers -- Opening

Cover:  Icon by Khouria Janet Peters.  Lyrics from the book “St Silouan the Athonite” © 1991 Archimandrite Sophrony [ISBN 0 951 2786 8 1].  Used with permission from Stavropegic Monastery of Saint John the Baptist, Tolleshunt Knights by Maldon, Essex, United Kingdom as well as from St Vladimir’s Seminary Press.


14. Adam's Lament

2. Matins Hymn:  Publican And Pharisee

11. Sixth Hour:  Prayer To The Theotokos

10. Vespers:  Gladsome Light

Cover:  Icon by Khouria Janet Peters.  Based on Kievan Tone 6.

5. Vespers:  Psalm 6 (from 1st Kathisma)

Cover:  Icon by Khouria Janet Peters.  Translation from Triodion (©2002, Mother Mary and Archimandrite Kallistos Ware) by St Tikhon’s Seminary Press and used with permission.  Soprano by Mary Karbo.  Bass by David Sinkevitch.

4. Matins Hymn:  Prodigal Son

3.  Vespers:  Psalm 103

1. Midnight Office:  First Prayer of St Basil

From the Orthodox Pre-Communion Prayers. 

1. A Prayer of St Basil

In Orthodox Christianity, what is referred to as the “Jesus Prayer” are the words:  “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on me a sinner.”  They are the words constantly repeated by ascetics dating back to the 6th century, coming both from the prayer of the publican (Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the Publican) who cried “have mercy on me a sinner” and Blind Bartimaeus outside Jericho who cried “Jesus, son on David have mercy on me.”  It is repeated until it becomes automatically and nearly without effort a “prayer of the heart” and until one can then attain (as the Apostle Paul described it as) “prayer without ceasing.”  Much has been written on the Jesus Prayer, much more than can be described here.  For those interested, simple internet searches reveal numerous teachings and mystical experiences about the Jesus Prayer.  This recording is not intended to be a concert or a mantra.  But perhaps something to replace the car radio or one’s own plaguing thoughts.  Like a memorable song…perhaps some of it, by the grace of God, can eventually stick on our own minds and souls.  Music original to Roman.

Jesus Prayer

Psalms 134-139.

Done in the style of Bulgarian Chant.

The Psalms of David chanted in a style unique to St Romanos Hermitage. Pulling from Russian, Greek, Arabic, Bulgarian, Irish, English plain chant and Gregorian chant musical influences, these Psalms are a subtle fusion of various musical traditions transformed into what has been described by some as having a uniquely American feel with ever-flowing penitence and contemplation. Each Kathisma limits itself to a single melody which then repeats and evolves and elaborates yet remains that original sole melodic idea, like an Orthodox "Tone."

The Orthodox monastic services are completely sung or chanted with no instruments other than the human voice; nearly nothing is ever spoken. There is not a single service in the Orthodox church that does not employ the Psalms. Psalms were sung by the earliest Christians to include Jesus and His apostles.

The Psalter, or the entire group of all the Psalms have been divided into 20 Kathismas of more or less equal length. This then aids their incorporation into various Orthodox services to be chanted or sung entirely throughout each week. It is also the practice in the Orthodox Church to chant the Psalms in the presence of a reposed Orthodox Christian from the time of their repose until their internment. All Psalms here are listed according to the Greek (Septuagint) numbering of the Psalms.

Psalms from the King James translation of 1611.

Cover: Roman of St Romanos Hermitage 

All music composed and chanted by Roman.

Kathisma XIX (Stasis 1 & 2)

Psalms 64-67.

Done in a style unique and original to St Romanos Hermitage.

The Psalms of David chanted in a style unique to St Romanos Hermitage. Pulling from Russian, Greek, Arabic, Bulgarian, Irish, English plain chant and Gregorian chant musical influences, these Psalms are a subtle fusion of various musical traditions transformed into what has been described by some as having a uniquely American feel with ever-flowing penitence and contemplation. Each Kathisma limits itself to a single melody which then repeats and evolves and elaborates yet remains that original sole melodic idea, like an Orthodox "Tone."

The Orthodox monastic services are completely sung or chanted with no instruments other than the human voice; nearly nothing is ever spoken. There is not a single service in the Orthodox church that does not employ the Psalms. Psalms were sung by the earliest Christians to include Jesus and His apostles.

The Psalter, or the entire group of all the Psalms have been divided into 20 Kathismas of more or less equal length. This then aids their incorporation into various Orthodox services to be chanted or sung entirely throughout each week. It is also the practice in the Orthodox Church to chant the Psalms in the presence of a reposed Orthodox Christian from the time of their repose until their internment. All Psalms here are listed according to the Greek (Septuagint) numbering of the Psalms.

Psalms from the King James translation of 1611.

Cover: Roman of St Romanos Hermitage 

All music composed and chanted by Roman.

Psalms

Kathisma IX (Stasis 1&2)

Part I:

Usual Beginning (0:00):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage except “O Heavenly King” which is Russian Obikhod Stichera Tone 6.

Troparia to the Holy Trinity (5:14):  Russian Kievan Stichera Tone 7

Prayer of St Basil the Great to the Most Holy Trinity (6:50):  Russian Kievan Stichera Tone 2

Psalm 50 (8:40):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage 

The Symbol of the Orthodox Faith (Nicene Creed) (11:42):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage 

Prayer I of St Macarius the Great (13:45):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage 

Prayer II of St Macarius the Great (14:54):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage 

Prayer III of St Macarius the Great (15:52):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage 

Prayer IV of St Macarius the Great (17:17):  Music – Byzantine Special Melody

Prayer V of St Basil the Great (19:35):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage 

Prayer VI of St Basil the Great (22:12):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage 

Part II:

Prayer VII to the Most Holy Theotokos (0:00):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage 

Prayer VIII to our Lord Jesus Christ (7:30):  Music – Variation of Antiochian Byzantine Tone 6

Prayer IX to the Holy Guardian Angel (10:52):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage 

Prayer X to the Most Holy Theotokos (12:29):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage 

Prayer for the Salvation of America (15:36):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage 

- Note:  Change from “Russian” to “American” lyric permitted by Holy Trinity Publications

Prayerful Invocation of the Saint Whose Name we bear (16:10):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage 

Song to the Most Holy Theotokos (16:42):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage 

- Note:  Previous three songs uses two melodies: 
  -- Prayer for America uses Melody #1
  -- Prayerful to Patron Saint uses Melody #2; 
  -- Song to the Theotokos uses Melodies #1 & #2 simultaneously

Troparion to the Cross (17:28):  Music -- Antiochian Byzantine Tone 1

Usual Ending (17:53):  Music – Variation to the Russian Obikhod Troparion Tone 8

Credits:

Special thanks to Holy Trinity Publications whose Jordanville Prayer Book was used for most of the texts for this recording and used with their permission:  Prayer Book, Fourth Edition - Revised (Jordanville, New York: Holy Trinity Publications, 2003)  ISBN 978-0-88465-175-8; www.holytrinitypublications.com

Translation of "Prayer V of St Basil the Great" from Horologion (© 2000, Mother Mary and Archimandrite Kallistos Ware) by St Tikhon’s Seminary Press as annotated and used with their permission.

Text for "Troparion to the Cross" comes from standard Antiochian Byzantine Tone 1 version of this Troparion.

Morning Prayers

Morning Prayers (Part 2)

Part I:

Usual Beginning (0:00):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage except “O Heavenly King” which is Russian Obikhod Stichera Tone 6.

Troparia to the Holy Trinity (5:14):  Russian Kievan Stichera Tone 7

Prayer of St Basil the Great to the Most Holy Trinity (6:50):  Russian Kievan Stichera Tone 2

Psalm 50 (8:40):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage 

The Symbol of the Orthodox Faith (Nicene Creed) (11:42):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage 

Prayer I of St Macarius the Great (13:45):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage 

Prayer II of St Macarius the Great (14:54):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage 

Prayer III of St Macarius the Great (15:52):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage 

Prayer IV of St Macarius the Great (17:17):  Music – Byzantine Special Melody

Prayer V of St Basil the Great (19:35):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage 

Prayer VI of St Basil the Great (22:12):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage 

Part II:

Prayer VII to the Most Holy Theotokos (0:00):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage 

Prayer VIII to our Lord Jesus Christ (7:30):  Music – Variation of Antiochian Byzantine Tone 6

Prayer IX to the Holy Guardian Angel (10:52):  Music original to St Romanos Monastery

Prayer X to the Most Holy Theotokos (12:29):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage 

Prayer for the Salvation of America (15:36):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage 

- Note:  Change from “Russian” to “American” lyric permitted by Holy Trinity Publications

Prayerful Invocation of the Saint Whose Name we bear (16:10):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage 

Song to the Most Holy Theotokos (16:42):  Music original to St Romanos Hermitage 

- Note:  Previous three songs uses two melodies: 
  -- Prayer for America uses Melody #1
  -- Prayerful to Patron Saint uses Melody #2; 
  -- Song to the Theotokos uses Melodies #1 & #2 simultaneously

Troparion to the Cross (17:28):  Music -- Antiochian Byzantine Tone 1

Usual Ending (17:53):  Music – Variation to the Russian Obikhod Troparion Tone 8

Credits:

Special thanks to Holy Trinity Publications whose Jordanville Prayer Book was used for most of the texts for this recording and used with their permission:  Prayer Book, Fourth Edition - Revised (Jordanville, New York: Holy Trinity Publications, 2003)  ISBN 978-0-88465-175-8; www.holytrinitypublications.com

Translation of "Prayer V of St Basil the Great" from Horologion (© 2000, Mother Mary and Archimandrite Kallistos Ware) by St Tikhon’s Seminary Press as annotated and used with their permission.

Text for "Troparion to the Cross" comes from standard Antiochian Byzantine Tone 1 version of this Troparion.

Morning Prayers (Part 1)

The Prayer of St Ephrem the Syrian is said many times throughout the Orthodox Lenten period and is accompanied by several prostrations.  The prayer has slightly different variations between jurisdictions, this version of the prayer most closely resembles that used by the Orthodox Church of America.  Cover:  "Bridegroom" Icon written by Khouria Janet Peters.

Prayer of St Ephrem

“Post Communion Prayers” as taken from The Unabbreviated Horologion or Book of the Hours (Jordanville, New York: Holy Trinity Monastery, 1997)  www.holytrinitypublications.com and used with permission.

St Romanos Hermitage

Pinned to spotlight

Popular tracks