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16 responses to “St. Nektarios of Aegina Sings (or wrote hymns)”

1. 

   Jason Barker

   November 9, 2009

   Thank you for posting this.

2. 

   greg

   November 9, 2009

   beautiful

3. 

   Mary

   November 9, 2009

   I had no idea that St. Nektarios was the author of this beautiful hymn. Glory to God!

4. 

   Michael

   November 9, 2009

   Father bless.

   Thanks for posting this. God used this hymn to help me embrace the beauty of The mother of God. It still brings tears to my eyes almost everytime I hear it.

   Kissing your right hand,
   michael

5. 

   Barbara

   November 9, 2009

   So beautiful, Fr. Stephen. We sing this hymn every Wednesday night at the conclusion of our Vespers service. It is always a haven of holiness and peace.

6. 

   leonard Nugent

   November 9, 2009

   I think this is the most beautiful hymm I’ve ever heard!

7. 

   Sean

   November 9, 2009

   Father, bless.

   There are no words to describe how we feel about this hymn over here. Traditionally chanted during the feast of Assumption, it is the one time apart from Easter when everyone chants alongside the chanters in church (at least in my church). It’s very moving and awe-inspiring. There is a tradition here that the words were written by St Nektarios but the music was delivered by angels. I don’t know if that is actually fact or fiction, but to me that music could only be inspired by angelic visions. Let me share a link with you, it’s the same hymn chanted in the original Greek:

   It must be me, but I feel it shines even more brightly in the original 🙂

8. 

   fatherstephen

   November 9, 2009

   Sean,
   It is popular in American Churches as well – there are several English translations in circulation, all with the same original tune (though no one sings it as well as the Greeks!)

   I had not heard to story of the tune coming from angels. How fitting!

9. 

   Karen

   November 9, 2009

   Dear Father, bless! Forgive me for asking a trivial question in the face of such a beautiful post, but one of the photos reminded me of a question I wanted to ask about Russian monastic garments–specifically the pointed hood and outer garment with writing. Is this particular garb associated with a particular monastic rank or role? Thank you for sharing the beautiful hymn.

10. 

    fatherstephen

    November 9, 2009

    Karen,
    The garment you describe is the “Great Schema” which is represents a monastic who has entered the most rigorous asceticism. In Russian practice it is given late in life. In Greek practice it is given earlier.

    The writing, by and large, consists of abbreviations. I could locate the entire text if you like.

11. Tweets that mention St. Nektarios of Aegina Sings (or wrote hymns) « Glory to God for All Things — Topsy.com

    November 9, 2009

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Cash Keith and Fabio Leite, Veronica du Bruyn. Veronica du Bruyn said: St. Nektarios of Aegina Sings (or wrote hymns) – Today is the feast day of St. Nektarios of Aegina, whose hymn O Vi… http://ow.ly/160s3D […]

12. 

    Karen

    November 10, 2009

    Thank you, Father. I thought that might be it. Yes, it would be interesting to know what the abbreviations are. Is there any difference in style between Greek & Russian Great Schema? I think I have only seen that style of hood on Russian monks. In the April 2009 issue of National Geographic Magazine, there was an article on the contemporary resurgence of the Church in Russia where one monk depicted was also wearing the Great Schema.

13. 

    kh.kathryn

    November 10, 2009

    Mary and I used to sing this together as kids. I remember specifically that we used to sing this if we got scared or spooked. It does bring a peace with it. Nice to hear it done by the experts!

14. 

    fatherstephen

    November 10, 2009

    Kh. Kathryn
    And it brought great comfort and peace to the heart of your papa when he heard his beloved daughters sing it!

15. 

    Mike

    November 10, 2009

    Here is the English version:
    

16. 

    Sean

    November 11, 2009

    @ Karen: You can find info about monastic degrees in Orthodox Church in this article:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Schema#Great_Schema

    A monk who wears the Great Schema is usually one who will never more, for the rest of his life, leave the monastery and venture in the world (even for matters of the monastery).