A recent thread in this forum regarding alternative choral harmonizations to the approved, recently promulgated liturgical musical settings was locked, with the directive that the OP be “obedient to the Council of Hierarchs in following their directives exactly…” What exactly are the directives of the Council of Hierarchs in this regard?

It would seem to me that Karl’s (Pseudo-Athanasius) admirable work in preparing and sharing SATB settings for these approved musical settings was certainly in keeping with the intent of the Council of Hierarchs’ directives. There always has been, and will always be, spontaneous harmonizations by the congregation with regard to whatever musical settings are employed (I know I’m guilty as charged! ) – I see no harm in putting these harmonies down on paper and sharing them, and I cannot see how this violates the Council’s intents.

Again I stress – these are harmonies that are relative to the approved melodies. Are we not allowed to add harmony to these settings just because the books were published with melody only? To what extent does the Council require us to stick to exactly what’s in the book? What if, for example, the priest or deacon intones his part in a key that is different than the key the setting is written in… are we required to revert to the written key (silly, if you ask me!) rather than pick up on their intoned note, just because that’s the key it’s published in and, therefore, the only key approved by the Council? How far do we take all this?

Back in June of ’06 one of the moderators of this forum posted the following request:



If Karl is guilty of anything, perhaps it is that he posted his work in the wrong forum, as per the above quote (perhaps I, too, am guilty of the same thing by posting this here rather than the RDL Forum? – at this point I’m just not sure). Even at that, what then is the purpose of “The Kliros” if not to share music – approved music – with one another? Isn’t this exactly what the moderator says in the last paragraph of his quote?

Anybody… please help me in my confusion here…

Al (a pilgrim)

Pilgrim,

I agree that it is all very confusing. The whole revision, the new music – it is all so unnecessary and has only succeeded in harming many in our Church.

I only know that when the Revised Divine Liturgies were promulgated it was made very clear to me that the only materials that may be used at the Divine Services were those texts and music that were officially approved by the Council of Hierarchs, and that the distribution or use of private publications of any sort were prohibited and that I was to stop distribution of all my various private publications for Vespers, Matins and the Divine Liturgy (including those which previously carried an Imprimatur from the bishop). In obedience I immediately discontinued distribution of all publications and sent a letter to the 200+ subscribing parishes notifying them. (I repeat my request to parishes that they not use any materials I have prepared.)

As a Forum we can permit free discussion of issues and ideas. But where the bishops have spoken we must be obedient. The bishops are perfectly capable of issuing written guidance as to what materials may be (must be) used for the celebration of the Divine Services when official books have not yet been promulgated. Until then, the understanding I have been given by the Council of Hierarchs must be the rule of the Forum. Should you have any questions about what may or may not be used, you need to contact your pastor (who can consult his bishop). There is no one who posts on this Forum who can provide official guidance.

Your query about the usefulness of the Kliros Forum is valid. It might be time to close it. Or maybe to limit the discussions regarding materials to those not intended for use within the Pittsburgh Metropolia.

Best wishes to all for a joyful Christmas. Please pray for me.

John Vernoski
Administrator

PS: Since there is no way that anyone participating here can provide official answers to the questions put forth by Pilgrim I am closing this thread.