Nothing so arouses the soul,
gives it wings, sets it free from the earth, releases it from the prison of the
body, teaches it to love wisdom and to despise all the things of this life, as
concordant melody and sacred song composed in rhythm. St. John Chrysostom
We should offer up doxologies to
God with fear and a contrite heart, in order that they may be accepted like
fragrant incense. St. John Chrysostom
What state can be more blessed
than to imitate on earth the choirs of angels? To begin the day with prayer,
and honour our Maker with hymns and songs? As the day brightens, to betake
ourselves, with prayer attending on it throughout, to our labours, and to
season our work with hymns, as food with salt? The consolation from hymns
produces a state of soul that is cheerful and free of sorrow. St. Basil the
Great.
At all times, but most of all
while chanting, let us be still and undistracted. For through distractions, the
demons aim to ruin our prayer. St. John of the Ladder
And even if you do not understand
the meaning of the words, for the time being teach your mouth to say them, for
the tongue is sanctified by the words alone whenever it says them with good
will. St. John Chrysostom
Recite the words of psalmody as
your very own, that you may utter the words of your supplication with insight
and with discriminating compunction, like a man who truly understands his work.
St. Isaac the Syrian
A holy hymn gives birth to piety
of soul, creates a good conscience, and is accepted by God in the treasuries of
the heavens. St John Chrysostom
The value of prayer can be
inferred from the way the demons attack us during services in church. St. John
of the Ladder
A psalm consoles the sad,
restrains the joyful, tempers the angry, refreshes the poor and chides the rich
man to know himself. To absolutely all who take it, the psalm offers an
appropriate medicine; nor does it despise the sinner, but presses upon him the
wholesome remedy of penitential tears. St. Niceta of Remesiana
There is nothing upon earth
holier, higher, grander, more solemn, more life-giving that the Liturgy. The
temple, at this particular time, becomes an earthly heaven; those who officiate
represent Christ Himself, the angels, the cherubim, seraphim and apostles. St.
John of Kronstadt
Wherever there are spiritual
melodies, there does the grace of the Spirit come, sanctifying the mouth and
the soul. St. Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain
A religious hymn is a great
blessing for everyone. It constitutes praise to the Most High, honour for His
holy people, worldwide harmony, an eloquent proof of the Church’s unity. It
expresses the voice of the Church, its confession. It brings about a complete
spiritual uplifting and absolute peace and joy in redeemed hearts, with the
triumphal hymn and song of happiness. It drives away hardness of heat. It
chases away disturbance. It dissolves and dissipates despondency...The voice
sings the soul’s joy, while the spirit delves into the mysteries of the faith.
St. Ambrose of Milan
The book of Psalms uproots the
passions with a certain melodic enjoyment and a delight that instils pure
thoughts. St. Basil the Great
The virtue of silence, especially
in church, is very great...Is anything more unbecoming than the divine words
should be so drowned by talking, as not to be heard, believed, or made known,
that the sacraments should be indistinctly heard through the sound of voices,
that prayer should be hindered when offered for the salvation of all? St.
Ambrose of Milan
When you stand in church, be
careful not to look here and there or curiously examine how each one of the
brethren stands or sings. Rather, pay attention only to yourself and to the
chanting and to your sins. St. Symeon the New Theologian
