The Ekphoniseis in the Orthodox Divine Liturgy

The system of the ekphoniseis or melodic reading is found documented in the Evangelistaria from the eighth to the twelfth century, which are the written sources for research in this area. The new notation of 1814, with its analytical character, made it possible to record in detail complete melodies, thus including y. many melodies, which up to that time had been chanted from memory, including the Liturgica (Λειτουργικά), which must have been in existence before the appearance of the new analytical notation.

With the introduction of the melodic Liturgica, the worship services of the Greek speaking Churches took on a new music reality, since for the full musical performance of the Liturgica, the correct response of the clergy is needed.

From the beginning of the twentieth century the distortion of the ekphoniseis had greatly increased. For this reason a Musical Commission was constituted under the presidency of the Metropolitan of Athens Theoklitos. Constantine Psachos was called to render his services, compiling the book Λειτουργικόν, which was published in 1905, as a supplement to the musical newspaper Φόρμιγξ.

The Church should show greater interest and look seriously at the issue of the ekphoniseis of the clergy, especially in our days when confusion and abundant ignorance of theological topics prevail.

Archim. Nektarios T. Paris