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Songs of Worship

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Prayer, Fasting and Worship › Songs of Worship

The question

What does Your Grace think about singing spiritual songs during communion? Do we have to stick to our traditional hymns or is it ok to sing spiritual songs not related to the body and the blood of Christ?

The answer

There are some traditional hymns that are sung during Holy Communion: Psalm 150 and Pi Oik (The Bread). However, if there is a special occasion, such as a saint's feast day or during various fasts, the deacons lead the congregation in singing praises for that saint or other melodies pertaining to that specific season of the year instead of Pi Oik (The Bread) or in addition to it. In general, after Pi Oik, some deacons choose other melodies traditionally related to Holy Communion. Since the Church is at this time partaking of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is most fitting that the hymns we sing pertain to this great honor. There is a right time and setting for everything.

As for nontraditional spiritual songs, they should not be sung during Communion time, but they can be used in youth meetings, Bible studies, etc., but not in the Divine Liturgy.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

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