Byzantine Chant Manuscripts in the Library of Bucium Monastery

The author provides an introductory analysis of the main collections of religious music books and manuscripts to be found at Bucium Monastery of Iasi, where copyists have been identified to be at the origin of some of the chants, namely:

The Greek collection containing three old Greek manuscripts without title page, whose deciphering presents a high degree of difficulty.

Twelve manuscripts in A4 format and one in A5 format, belonging to Hierodeacon Dionisie Marin, former singer at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Iasi in the 1960s.

Five psaltic manuscripts, that belonged to hieromonk Onufrie Bratu-Saceleanu, former servant with the affiliated monastery of Darvari of Bucuresti, and most likely with the affiliated monastery of Bucium, Iasi. Among these a Mathimatarion is to be found that includes the chants sung for the religious celebrations of Jesus Christ, Holy Mary, St. John the Baptist and St. Dimitrios.

Arhim. Clement Haralam