Customer Reviews

Chants of the Maronitic Liturgy

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I just want to correct the previous reviewer. The language of most of these hymns is actually Syriac/Western Aramaic which is our true liturgical language. Arabic is used in some of the hymns and in our liturgy since most Maronites today speak Arabic as their first language, but it is certainly not our "liturgical language."

This Album contains an anthology of liturgical chants from the Maronite Church. The Maronites are Catholics from Lebanon that have their own tradition, discipline and liturgy different from that of the Roman Church (although both Churches are mutually in full communion).

The anthology has three parts. Chants for Nativity (Christmas), Chants for Passion (Holy Week) and Chants for Pascha (Easter). Performance is both melodic and vigorous at the same time.

My only grief with this title is that it provides little additional background information. With the scarce knowledge the rest of the world has about the Maronites, the listener would greatly benefit with a little more history and a translation of the hymns (which are in Arabic, the Maronite liturgical language).

Also, this is an anthology, not a Mass. Hymns are not in order as they are used in the Liturgy.

This CD is a wonderful testament to the beauty and sacredness of chant within the Maronite Liturgy. Highly recommended without reservation for those interested in exploring liturgical music within the Eastern Rite of the Catholic Church. As a Maronite Catholic, this CD truly makes me proud of my faith tradition.

As a man entering the Catholic Church, it sure does open my eyes to the vastness of the world and how different it is.
I find it astonishing the Maronites speak Arabic. More reason for me to learn Arabic, am I right?

I've an interest in the Maronite church for some time. But you'll truly feel an empowering presence of God by the music of his worshipers.