I supose that, as in other parts, the vernacular language was used by the priests when preaching and by the choir during the communion chants or after the dismisal. I suppose that gradually the vernacular language was later used as well in devotional (non official) services (hymns to the Mother of God, as that to the Odigitria, hymns for Great Friday. You can find similar things in Greece, where you can listen to the non liturgical hymn for Good Friday Simeron Mavros Ouranos (Moiroloi tis Panagias) in modern Greek during Great Thursday night, when, after the end of the Passion Service, some women remain in the Church for the preparation of the epitaphios. Both Arberesh and Greeks have also Carols ("kalanda" in Greek, form the Latin word "kalandae", or "kalimera" in Arberesh, from the Greek "Kali imera", the usual beginings of some of these carols) for different liturgical feasts (Christmas, Sait Basil the Great, Epiphany, Lazarus Saturday, Palm Sunday) that are very close to the liturgical poetry. If I am not wrong Greeks in America sing during communion something they call coomunion anthens (different from the hymns found in the liturgical books, I do not know if they do it in Greek or in English). In the same way in Greece in many parishes they sing the Agni Parthene (originally a non liturgical hymn writen by Saint Nektarios of Aegina as a religious poem)during the communion.
Last edited by Francisco; 06/01/12 08:32 AM.
