Assyrian - Syriac chants from the liturgy of the Church of the East

Abstract

The Assyrian or Syriac Chants of the Church of the East existed from the first centuries of Christianity in Mesopotamia; however, the earliest survived chants are by Mar Aprem from the fourth century. Therefore, the current research examines the earliest survived chants and hymns composed by the church theologians and poets between the fourth and seventh centuries. Twenty chants and hymns written in Syriac and translated to English are selected for this study. These examples cover different chant styles and genres of the Church of the East liturgical Feasts, Sundays, and Ordinary days. The chants and hymns selected include the most five main genres used in the liturgy of the Church of the East, which are continuously performed until the present time. Soghyāthā, Madrāshe, Tešbḥatha, `Onyatha, and Memrē are the five main genres of the Church of the East hymnody repertoire. Moreover, the tunes qale of the chants and hymns are provided according to the Eastern Rite of the Church of the East performance practices. These qale are practiced within the Assyrian and the Ancient Churches of the East in Iraq as well as in all dioceses of the Churches around the world. The musical Maqam scales of the qale are identified for each chant or hymn in the information sheet provided in this study. Most of the twenty chants and hymns are by Mar Aprem (Ephrem), Mar Marutha of Maypherqat, Mar Narsai, and Mar Baḇai the Great. This research also provides detailed information about the earliest known church women’s choirs. Furthermore, it examines fourth-century women’s choirs responsibilities on Biblical teaching in their communities in addition to their singing in the church. Segments of the homily memrā of Mar Yaʿquḇ (Jacob of Serugh) on Mar Aprem in the original Syriac text and an English translation are provided to support the role of the women’s choirs in the church.

KEYWORDS:

Church of the East, Syriac Chants, Assyrian Chants, Aramaic Chants, East Rite Tradition, Early Christian chants, Mar Aprem (Ephrem), Mar Marutha, Mar Narsai, Mar Babai the Great, Soghyatha, Madrashe, Tishbhatha, Onyatha, Mermre, Qinatha, Zmiratha.