Ukrainian Orthodoxy		Orthodoxie ukrainienne

Music in Church

Question:

I am Ukrainian Orthodox, and have recently become engaged. I will be getting married in two years. I was discussing my plans with my mother,  when she told me that Ukrainian Orthodox weddings do not allow music  (i.e.: violin, flute, harp) during the ceremony.   Is this true and if so, why?

Answer:

Very Reverend Ihor Kutash kutash@unicorne.org

It is quite true that instrumental music has not been a part of any Ukrainian Orthodox wedding at which I have ever officiated or ever attended.  Liberal as the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is in many respects, the ban on the use of instrumental music is not one of the areas where we have been willing to lift or make exceptions.  This is not the case with other Orthodox communities – in North America, at least. I have heard instrumental music in the form of organ and piano in Greek and Antiochian (Arabic) Churches.  This is certainly not a matter of doctrine.  It is a cultural tradition, but one which has permitted the development of incredibly lovely congregational and choral singing. 

Instruments were certainly used in the worship of the Old Testament – and we even proclaim this in the Psalms chanted at the end of the office of Matins (the early morning service which precedes the Divine Liturgy in the daily cycle of services). It may be that their abolishment for the Orthodox liturgy is linked to the special status that the Incarnation of God the Word, the Second Person of the Trinity, has given to human beings. 

It may be that we are now directed to praise the Lord in the Temple like the Angels of Heaven - with the instruments He Himself has made rather than with those which we humans with all our ingenuity and skill are able to construct.  The human voice is undoubtedly the best instrument that could ever be made and it is only God Who can create it, while we cooperate with His Spirit to make our use of it in His service lovely, melodious, harmonious and true.  The choirmaster is entrusted with the honour of directing this wonderful instrument, the Church choir, which is a beautiful auditory Icon of the Kingdom – where all the Angels together eternally sing the praises of God and His marvellous works.

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