Ethos & Yphos

Episode 7 of Ethos & Yphos explores what chanters mean when they speak of the "classical Greek repertoire" and examines the development of Byzantine chant compositions in the English language. Joining us for this conversation is Kamal Hourani, chanter, teacher, translator, and, most importantly, member of the Sons of Antioch. Kamal is a graduate of Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and currently serves as a chanter at St. George Orthodox Church in Norwood, Massachusetts. He is also a teacher at the Trisagion School of Byzantine Music and has devoted considerable effort to the translation and metering of liturgical texts from Greek into English. In this episode, we discuss what is meant by the term "Classical Greek Repertoire" and explore its significance from both practical and pedagogical perspectives. We consider its place in contemporary Byzantine music education, how chanters engage with it today, and the role it plays in preserving and transmitting the tradition. We also examine the growth of Byzantine chant compositions in English over the past several decades, discussing the challenges of adapting the tradition to a new language while maintaining its musical ethos. Drawing from his experience as a chanter, teacher, and translator, Kamal offers valuable insights into both the preservation of inherited traditions and the continued development of Byzantine chant for English-speaking Orthodox communities. 🎧 Listen to Ethos & Yphos on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you get your podcasts. 🔔 Early access available on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SonsofAntioch 🌐 Sons of Antioch Website: https://sonsofantioch.us/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SonsofAntioch All links: https://linktr.ee/sonsofantioch #EthosAndYphos #ByzantineChant #SacredMusic #OrthodoxMusic #LiturgicalMusic #OrthodoxChristianity #ChurchMusic #SonsOfAntioch

Episode 6 of Ethos & Yphos features a conversation with Rev. Fr. John (Rassem) El Massih, a priest, teacher, and lifelong servant of Byzantine sacred music. Fr. John currently serves as Proistamenos of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Washington DC. Prior to his priesthood, he was a traveling Deacon for Metropolitan Philip (of Thrice Blessed Memory) and Metropolitan Joseph, where he planted seeds of Byzantine music among the many churches he visited across the country. In this episode, we trace Fr. John's musical journey, with particular focus on his formative studies under the esteemed priest, chanter, and hymnographer, Fr. Nicolas Malek. We also discuss his role in the establishment of the Antiochian Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir, as well as the Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music. Fr. John has played a key role in the advancement of Byzantine chant in America: whether through his teachings, recordings, or compositions, and offers his unique perspective on its development.   🎧 Listen to Ethos & Yphos on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you get your podcasts.  🔔 Early access available on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SonsofAntioch    🌐 Sons of Antioch Website: https://sonsofantioch.us/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SonsofAntioch  All links: https://linktr.ee/sonsofantioch    More from Fr John:  Antiochian Sacred Music Department: https://www.antiochian.org/dashboard?name=Sacred%20Music   #EthosAndYphos #ByzantineChant #SacredMusic #OrthodoxMusic #LiturgicalMusic #OrthodoxChristianity #ChurchMusic #SonsOfAntioch

Episode 5 of Ethos & Yphos features a rich and wide-ranging conversation with Photini Downie Robinson, Protopsaltria at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Portland, Oregon, soloist with Cappella Romana, and faculty of the Synaxis of Orthodox Women Byzantine Cantors. As a classically trained vocalist and current student of pastoral theology, Photini brings a uniquely integrated perspective to the practice and theology of Byzantine chant. In this episode, we explore her musical formation, her journey to Orthodoxy through her work with Cappella Romana, the vocal and interpretive dimensions of Byzantine chant, and how her studies in pastoral theology inform her experiences at the analogion.   🎧 Listen to Ethos & Yphos on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you get your podcasts.  🔔 Early access available on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SonsofAntioch    🌐 Sons of Antioch Website: https://sonsofantioch.us/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SonsofAntioch  All links: https://linktr.ee/sonsofantioch    More from Photini:   Hymn of Kassiani, English (Boyer/Lash): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_KRzAQDKOo Yphos Studio: https://www.yphosmusic.com/ The Liturgical Arts Academy (TLAA): https://www.theliturgicalarts.org/chant   Axia Women, Part I (2022): https://www.axiawomen.org/wow/photini-downie-robinson Axia Women, Part II (2025): https://www.axiawomen.org/wow/update-photini-downie-robinson-woman-week   Ancient Faith Radio, Part I: https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/sacrificeofpraise/a_conversation_with_photini_downie_robinson_part_i/ Ancient Faith Radio, Part II: https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/sacrificeofpraise/a_conversation_with_photini_downie_robinson_part_2/   Bridging the Gap: Connections from the Kliros Keynote Lecture, Society of St Romanos the Melodist, Orthodox Music Masterclass https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAfrJqtU45Y   #EthosAndYphos #ByzantineChant #SacredMusic #OrthodoxMusic #CappellaRomana #LiturgicalMusic #OrthodoxChristianity #ChurchMusic #SonsOfAntioch

Episode 4 of Ethos & Yphos features a wide-ranging conversation with Joseph Yazbeck, founder of the SEM (School of Ecclesiastical Music) Choir of Mount Lebanon and composer of over 20,000 pages of Byzantine music. As the founder of SEM, Yazbeck has trained generations of chanters and performed in numerous concerts, playing a significant role in the growth and preservation of Byzantine music in Lebanon. In this episode, we explore the founding of SEM, his pedagogical approach, and his monumental compositional project currently underway. The discussion culminates in a particularly poignant reflection on the character, history, and common misconceptions surrounding the Antiochian yphos. 🎧 Listen to Ethos & Yphos on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you get your podcasts. 🔔 Early access available on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SonsofAntioch 🌐 Sons of Antioch Website: https://sonsofantioch.us/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SonsofAntioch All links: https://linktr.ee/sonsofantioch

Episode 3 of Ethos & Yphos features a conversation with Fr. Panteleimon Papadopoulos, a priest, teacher, and lifelong servant of Byzantine sacred music. Fr. Panteleimon currently serves as Proistamenos of Holy Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church in Brookville, New York. Prior to his priesthood, he spent over 20 years as an Archdeacon under both Archbishop Demetrios and Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, where he played a key role in the organization and operation of the Greek Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese School of Byzantine Music. In this episode, we trace Fr. Panteleimon’s musical journey, with particular focus on his formative studies under the late Archon Musikodidaskalos of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Nikolaos Steliaros. We also discuss his role in the establishment of the GOA School of Byzantine Music and GOA Byzantine Choir, his insights into the development of Byzantine chant in English, and his perspective on the future of chanting in America. 🎧 Listen to Ethos & Yphos on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you get your podcasts. 🔔 Early access available on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SonsofAntioch 🌐 Sons of Antioch Website: https://sonsofantioch.us/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SonsofAntioch All links: https://linktr.ee/sonsofantioch

On Episode 2 of Ethos & Yphos, we are honored to welcome Archpriest Romanos Joubran. Fr. Romanos serves as the Director of the St. Romanos the Melodist Choir of Beirut, the Director of the Byzantine Music School at the Archdiocese of Beirut, and a Professor of Byzantine Music at both the Balamand Seminary and the Lebanese National Conservatory. In this episode, we trace Fr. Romanos’s musical journey—from his early formation under Master Chanter Henry Neaimeh, to his body of compositions, including his notable Divine Liturgy Book. We also explore his leadership of the St. Romanos Byzantine Music School and Choir, his work in developing a formal Byzantine Music curriculum, and his teaching philosophy and approach. 🎧 Listen to Ethos & Yphos on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you get your podcasts. 🔔 Early access available on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SonsofAntioch 🌐 Sons of Antioch Website: https://sonsofantioch.us/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SonsofAntioch All links: https://linktr.ee/sonsofantioch

On this, the inaugural episode of Ethos & Yphos, we discuss the topic of Music Education in the Church with Deacon Greg Abdalah. Dn. Greg is the Pastoral Assistant at St. George Antiochian Church in Phoenix, AZ, as well as the Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, focusing in youth ministry. In this episode, Dn. Greg explores how we should approach engaging our youth in liturgical practice, music ministry, and the life of the Church. His many years of experience in various roles relating to youth ministry throughout the country offer an expert perspective as we discuss what youth participation can look like in parish liturgical practice. Special thank you to the Warrior Saints Academy https://www.warriorsaints.org/ 🎧 Listen to Ethos & Yphos on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you get your podcasts. 🔔 Early access available on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SonsofAntioch 🌐 Sons of Antioch Website: https://sonsofantioch.us/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SonsofAntioch All links: https://linktr.ee/sonsofantioch