The Melbourne Age acts as a lobby group for well funded Evensong! It even argues that atheists and apostates enjoy Evensong and should fund its balming properties.
Evensong is a treat. I don't understand the reference to bible centric Christians though. The magnificat and nunc dimittis are biblical text as is the Lord's Prayer. I would say the bible centric enjoy it. It's hard to beat Stanford in B flat.
Hi Nick In that "Oz" Anglican context, "Bible centric" will refer to parishes which maximise the time spent in preaching the Bible relative to the time spent singing the Bible.
At St. Michael and All Angels in Christchurch, N.Z., we Sing Evensong on 3 Sundays of every month (the other Sunday evening is taken over by Taize's form of worship). Everyone is welcome to join in this traditional Anglican worship.
Speaking of superb musical tradition, my younger brother living in Australia, who affects no longer to believe in God, sent this amazing recording of the Tenor Andrea Bocelli, with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra, singing an amazing rendition of the 'Our Father- a lovely Pentecostal Offering:
Hi Peter, I see that the BCP evening prayer service does not have an obvious gap for a sermon, but the bible centric can presumably insert one. Singing scripture has always seemed more meaningful to me than Christian pop. Of course, there are plenty of theologically dubious hymns.
Another more modern setting for the hymn I posted above - these are soldiers from the 60th Brigade of the Russian army - very beautiful to my ear and worshipful
Posted for Fr Ron and any others drawn to liturgical forms of worship
The thing about singing it in liturgical language rather than speaking it in vernacular prose is that it sticks in the brain, comes away with you when worship is completed or so it seems to me
It is an opportunity for rest and reflection at the end of a day's travails. It would move the iciest atheistic soul as it indeed moves mine. In fact, I am a bit of an Evensong junkie having gravitated these Evensong ceremonies in the great choral centres of Anglicanism. - the Author of the linked piece on the merits of evensong and even though he professes to be an Atheist he is being presented with the tenets Faith in a qay which in the fullness of time may bear fruit
Nick above notes the lack of a sermon - the hymns can teach more than a sermon perhaps and draw the worshiper closer to God even an athiest
To be honest, I've never cared much for 'Anglican psalms' - too drawn out for me and dirgy. But Phos Hilaron is beautiful and the perfect evening song of praise. More Anglicans should know it.
Hi Brian, Anglican chant is not half as drawn out as the talk about YNW (you know what with a "no") on other threads. I was hoping that Peter's innovation on evensong would at least get the serial commenters talking about non preaching centred services; but alas no. Andrei obviously appreciates less talk and more song. Phos hilaron is beautiful, I agree.
Thank you, Andrei. I enjoyed 'Gentle Light' from the Valaam Monastery/ Phos Hilarion is one of my favourite hymns. I Just love all forms of Orthodox music -compares very well with Gregorian Chant, which I also love. The modern, John Taverner, composes some remarkable pieces in the Orthodox style.
Religious music is God's way of entering many hearts. If even my non-church-going brother can be moved by it, I am convinced of its mysterious power.
As someone once said: "A prayer sung is prayed twice!" I still manage, when it is my turn to be deacon of the Mass, to sing the Gospel. I shall do this as long as God gives me breath and the Church allows. Thank you, again, Andrei.
Peter, I can't help thinking that the punters (other than Andrei, Brian, Ron, you and I) don't know much about your crown jewel service of evensong. It's evangelism waiting to happen. Any night; short; just after work; private, prayerful with superb music. We Catholics couldn't compete.
Evensong is a treat. I don't understand the reference to bible centric Christians though. The magnificat and nunc dimittis are biblical text as is the Lord's Prayer. I would say the bible centric enjoy it. It's hard to beat Stanford in B flat.
ReplyDeleteNick
Hi Nick
ReplyDeleteIn that "Oz" Anglican context, "Bible centric" will refer to parishes which maximise the time spent in preaching the Bible relative to the time spent singing the Bible.
At St. Michael and All Angels in Christchurch, N.Z., we Sing Evensong on 3 Sundays of every month (the other Sunday evening is taken over by Taize's form of worship). Everyone is welcome to join in this traditional Anglican worship.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of superb musical tradition, my younger brother living in Australia, who affects no longer to believe in God, sent this amazing recording of the Tenor Andrea Bocelli, with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra, singing an amazing rendition of the 'Our Father- a lovely Pentecostal Offering:
http://gloria.tv/?media=479543&language=3SsSaAhCEfb
Hi Peter, I see that the BCP evening prayer service does not have an obvious gap for a sermon, but the bible centric can presumably insert one. Singing scripture has always seemed more meaningful to me than Christian pop. Of course, there are plenty of theologically dubious hymns.
ReplyDeleteNick
Evensong = vespers?
ReplyDeleteHere Fr Ron Vespers hymn "Свете тихий" (Svete Tikhiy) at Valaam - you know it as "O Gladsome Light" or "Phos Hilaron" perhaps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ec6LvN9h-o
Another more modern setting for the hymn I posted above - these are soldiers from the 60th Brigade of the Russian army - very beautiful to my ear and worshipful
ReplyDeletePosted for Fr Ron and any others drawn to liturgical forms of worship
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoA39kLU-mk
The thing about singing it in liturgical language rather than speaking it in vernacular prose is that it sticks in the brain, comes away with you when worship is completed or so it seems to me
It is an opportunity for rest and reflection at the end of a day's travails. It would move the iciest atheistic soul as it indeed moves mine. In fact, I am a bit of an Evensong junkie having gravitated these Evensong ceremonies in the great choral centres of Anglicanism. - the Author of the linked piece on the merits of evensong and even though he professes to be an Atheist he is being presented with the tenets Faith in a qay which in the fullness of time may bear fruit
Nick above notes the lack of a sermon - the hymns can teach more than a sermon perhaps and draw the worshiper closer to God even an athiest
To be honest, I've never cared much for 'Anglican psalms' - too drawn out for me and dirgy. But Phos Hilaron is beautiful and the perfect evening song of praise. More Anglicans should know it.
ReplyDeleteHi Brian, Anglican chant is not half as drawn out as the talk about YNW (you know what with a "no") on other threads. I was hoping that Peter's innovation on evensong would at least get the serial commenters talking about non preaching centred services; but alas no. Andrei obviously appreciates less talk and more song. Phos hilaron is beautiful, I agree.
ReplyDeleteNick
Thank you, Andrei. I enjoyed 'Gentle Light' from the Valaam Monastery/ Phos Hilarion is one of my favourite hymns. I Just love all forms of Orthodox music -compares very well with Gregorian Chant, which I also love. The modern, John Taverner, composes some remarkable pieces in the Orthodox style.
ReplyDeleteReligious music is God's way of entering many hearts. If even my non-church-going brother can be moved by it, I am convinced of its mysterious power.
As someone once said: "A prayer sung is prayed twice!" I still manage, when it is my turn to be deacon of the Mass, to sing the Gospel. I shall do this as long as God gives me breath and the Church allows. Thank you, again, Andrei.
John Tavener's mag and nunc (collegium regale) are a case in point. Orthodox influenced and inspiring. You don't need a sermon.
ReplyDeleteNick
Here is a link for the mag
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9MSNInbEFE
Nick
Peter, I can't help thinking that the punters (other than Andrei, Brian, Ron, you and I) don't know much about your crown jewel service of evensong. It's evangelism waiting to happen. Any night; short; just after work; private, prayerful with superb music. We Catholics couldn't compete.
ReplyDeleteNick
We have our moments, Nick!
ReplyDeleteClearly; but non-Anglicans and journos appear to be pointing it out.
ReplyDeleteNick