March 15, 1999
The Pious Priests and Deacons
of the Holy Diocese of
Denver
Dear Concelebrants,
As we approach the most holy and soul-stirring week of the year, Holy Week, which culminates with the triumphant celebration of the glorious resurrection of Christ from the dead, I realize that both clergy and choirs have different English translations and musical renditions of the Paschal Resurrectional Troparion, CHRIST IS RISEN. Unfortunately, this is prevalent throughout the country.
In this holy Diocese of Denver, it is time to use the same words and music to this hymn if it is to be sung in English.
Therefore I request of you to contact your choir director, the chanters, and all members of the choirs to learn the enclosed rendition which is very easy to learn.
Please remind your people that this central hymn of our holy faith is not to be tampered with by using the wrong words such as "O Christ is risen ..." It is not a folk song nor a medley of sorts. Obviously the "O" was put into some translations so as to keep the Byzantine musical form accurate.
The hymn must be theologically correct. This is why I expect you and your people to use the word "granted" and not "bestow" or "bestowing." The proper Greek word for bestow is "ajponevmw," whereas the word of the hymn "carisavmeno"" comes from the word "carivzw" which means "I grant." In the hymn the word is grammatically a past participle, which means that Christ has already granted life to us. The most accurate translation would therefore be "has granted." Specifically, "carizovmeno"" means "is granting" and "carisavmeno"" means "did grant" or "granted."
I hope that this brief explanation convinces you and your choirs and chanters that as recipients of our holy, Apostolic faith we are responsible for preserving the accuracy of our theology found in the hymns of the Church.
Please make as many copies as you wish both for your choirs and your congregations so that this Diocese of Denver will be the flagship of accurate translations and uniformity in our worship.
With Paternal Blessings,
+Metropolitan Isaiah
Presiding Hierarch
of
the Diocese of Denver