Some of the material on this page is in the form of pointed text, which consists of words only, without written notes. It can easily be read if the tones and the pointing system are known. A syllable in bold type carries a musical stress. A syllable in italics has a flex, a change in the melody preceding or following a stress. Slashes separate each musical phrase, but a slash with an underscore on either side ( _/_ ) indicates that no breath should be taken between the two phrases. Two slashes precede the final phrase. Underscores are also used to indicate multiple notes assigned to a single syllable. When more than one is used, they are separated by periods ( _._._ ). Most of the music on the Vespers page has notes and is also pointed. Part VI of the Introduction is also very helpful regarding both pointed text and the tones.

10 October, Holy Elders of Optina

Stichera on “Lord, I Have Cried”
arranged by Archpriest George Johnson
Pointed Text
includes: “Glory” on “Lord I Have Cried”; Troparion; After the Matins Gospel; Kontakion; “Glory” and “Both now” on the Praises

Sunday of the Holy Forefathers, 11 – 17 December

1st Troparion of the 9th Ode, 2nd Canon
Greek Chant, arranged by Archpriest George Johnson
– This hymn draws attention to the virtuous women of the Old Testament.  While it is normally read, not sung, the choir director may desire to sing this arrangement, either in its place or during the clergy communion, especially if women are present whose patrons are included.

25 December, the Nativity of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ

Troparion
Greek Chant, arranged by Archpriest George Johnson
Kontakion
Bulgarian Chant, arranged by Archpriest George Johnson
Lesser Doxology
from a melody found in a pre-revolutionary Polish Missionary Obikhod
*melody in Alto
Irmoi
Greek Chant, arranged by Archpriest George Johnson
Instead of “It is Truly Meet”
Greek Chant, arranged by Archpriest George Johnson

6 January, the Holy Theophany of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ

Kontakion
to its own melody, arranged by Archpriest George Johnson
Canon 1
Abbreviated Greek Chant
Canon 2
Abbreviated Greek Chant

2 February, the Meeting of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ

Irmoi
Greek Chant

25 March, the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos

Irmoi
Abbreviated Znamenny Chant
*melody in Alto
– At Ode 9, only the refrains (“O earth...”) are normally sung, and the material between them is read.

29 June, Holy Apostles Peter and Paul

Troparion
Moscow Chant
God is the Lord
Moscow Chant
Dismissal Theotokion
Moscow Chant

30 June, Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles

Troparion
Moscow Chant
Kontakion
Kievan Chant, arranged by Archpriest George Johnson

Stichera on “Lord, I Have Cried”: 1, 2, 3

God is the Lord
Moscow Chant
Dismissal Theotokion
Moscow Chant