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:  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

“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.

Song of St Simeon

St Romanos Hermitage

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