February 13, 2002
The Reverend Clergy
The Choir Directors
The
Chanters and Readers
The Choir Federation
of the Holy Diocese of
Denver
Beloved in the Lord,
During the past several decades individuals have taken it upon themselves to translate hymns of the Church believing that they were providing a vital service. Most of them never realized that the hymns of the Church are authentic theology and not just poetic words, as are many Protestant hymns with no theological content. In their personal translations they have done serious damage to the beliefs of our faith.
For example, the resurrection of Christ is not merely a historical
event in the secular sense, but a cosmic-changing event which is a
today
experience. Christ IS resurrected; not Christ was resurrected.
It is always a now
or an eternally present
experience. This
obviously means that the tenses of verbs must be theologically correct
in reflection of Christ and His saving mission. Even so, the today
experience can be considered a part of the present-day historical
record.
During the past few years, in my pastoral visits to the parishes, I have noticed that many different versions of hymns and prayers are used by the clergy and faithful. Not only does this introduce inconsistency, but oftentimes subtle theological errors as well into our expression of worship and ultimately our thinking.
For this reason I sent out to every parish in 1993 a standard version of the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed. This is the only version of the Creed that is to be recited in parishes of this Diocese. I am enclosing a laminated version of this Creed for you, and you may purchase additional quantities from the Diocesan Office if you so desire.
Similarly, in 1994 I sent out to each priest a copy of the translation of the Paschal Homily of Saint John Chrysostom. Again, This is the only version of the Sermon that is to be read by the priest at the Resurrection Service on Pascha in parishes of this Diocese.
To promote unity in the singing of the great Paschal Hymn, Christos anesti, I sent each of you a standard copy of the English translation of this anthem in 1997. Please teach your chanters, choir members, and faithful to use this version in all the services of Pascha and during the ensuing 40-day period.
Likewise, this past year I sent out to you an English translation of the Kontakion, Ti Ypermacho; please use this when you celebrate the Salutations to the Virgin Mary on the five Fridays in Great Lent and whenever the Kontakion is sung such as at the Divine Liturgy on the first four Sundays in Great Lent.
Those of you who are musically literate will have no trouble applying the traditional tune of Christos anesti and Ti Ypermacho to the English words which are the official translations of this Diocese.
I pray that this coming Holy Week and Pascha will be the most inspiring and most edifying of all your previous experiences.
With Paternal Blessings,
+Metropolitan Isaiah
Presiding Hierarch
of
the Diocese of Denver
Enclosures