This page is meant to help choir members and chanters learn the standard byzantine hymns of the Orthodox Church. As a past choir director for St. John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church in Webster, TX, I made a good number of audio files to help our choir learn the various feast day hymns of the church ecclesiastical year. Below you will find downloadable sheet music with YouTube links to help you practice. It is my hope that this can be of help to those seeking a visual/audio learning experience.
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Weekly Apolytikia (Tones for the week)
| Resurrection Tone | Sheet Music | YouTube Links |
| Tone 1 – The Stone was Sealed | download PDF melody only | Soprano-Greek Instrumental |
| Tone 2 – When You Descended | Download PDF melody only | Soprano-Greek 2nd voice (alto) Greek Instrumental |
| Tone 3 – Let All Things in Heaven Rejoice | Download PDF melody only | Soprano-Greek 2nd voice (alto) Greek Instrumental |
| Tone 4 – When the Tidings | Download PDF vocal parts only | Soprano-Greek 2nd voice (alto) Greek Soprano-English Alto-English Instrumental |
| Tone 5 – The Eternal Word | Download PDF melody only | Soprano-Greek Soprano (melody)-English Instrumental |
| Tone 6 – When the Angelic Powers | Download PDF melody only | Soprano-Greek 2nd voice (alto) Greek Soprano (melody) – English Instrumental |
| Tone 7 – O Lord By Your Sacred Cross | Download PDF melody only | Soprano-Greek 2nd voice (alto) Greek Melody (instrumental) |
| Tone 8 – From on High Did You Descend | Download PDF melody only | Soprano-Greek 2nd voice (alto) in Greek Instrumental |
January
| Feast Day | Sheet Music | You Tube Links |
| Jan 1: Apolytikion for St. Basil the Great: Είς πάσαν τήν γήν | download PDF | melody (soprano) |
| Jan 1: Apolytikion for Circumcision of Christ: Μορφήν άναλλοιώτως | download PDF | melody (soprano) |
| Jan 1-Kontakion for Circumcision of Christ: Ο τών όλων Κύριος (O ton olon Kyrios) | download PDF | melody (soprano) |
| Jan 6-Apolytikion for Theophany: ‘Εν ‘Ιορδάνη (En Iordhani) #128 | download PDF | melody (soprano) melody (instrumental) |
| Jan 6-Kontakion For Theophany: On this Day You Have Appeared-Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον #130, verse 2 | download PDF | melody (soprano) 2nd voice (alto) melody (instrumental) |
| Jan 6-Megalynarion of Theophany (Epiphany)-Oh Magnify My Soul…Every Tongue – Μεγάλυνον ψυχή μου…Ἀπορεῖ πᾶσα γλῶσσα #131 | download PDF | melody (instrumental) |
| Jan 6 & 14-Communion Hymn of Theophany: Ἐπεφάνη ἡ χάρις #133 | download PDF | melody (instrumental) |
| Jan 7-Apolytikion for St. John the Forerunner: Μνήμη Δικαίου μέτʼ ἐγκωμίων #135 | download PDF | melody (soprano) |
| Jan 7-Communion Hymn for St. John the Forerunner: Εἰς μνημόσυνον αἰώνιον #159 | download PDF | melody (instrumental) |
| Jan 21-Kontakion The Womb of a Virgin Ὁ μήτραν παρθενική #139 | download PDF | melody (soprano) |
| Jan 28-Apolytikion for St. Ephram #172 | download PDF | melody (instrumental) |
February
| Feast Day | Sheet Music | YouTube Links |
| Feb 2-9: Apolytikion for Presentation of Christ in the Temple-Χαῖρε κεχαριτωμένη Θεοτόκε Παρθένε #137 | download sheet music | melody (soprano) |
| Feb 2-Megalynarion of Presentation of Christ in the Temple-Θεοτόκε ἡ ἐλπίς #140 | download sheet music | melody (soprano) 2nd voice (alto) |
| Feb 25 – Kontakion – Let us Flee the Pharisee’s Boasts – Φαρισαίου φύγωμεν #161 | download sheet music | voice 1 (soprano) voice 2 (alto) |
March
| Feast Day | Sheet Music | YouTube Links |
| Mar 3: Kontakion (Tis patroas dhoxis) #162 | download PDF | voice 1-(soprano) voice 2 (alto) |
| Mar 10: Kontakion for Sunday of Last Judgement (Meatfare) #163 | download PDF | voice 1-(soprano) voice 2 (alto) |
| Mar 17: Kontakion for Sunday of Forgiveness (Cheesefare) #164 | download PDF | voice 1-(soprano) voice 2 (alto) |
| Mar 24: Apolytikion for the Holy Icons (Sunday of Orthodoxy) #170 | download PDF | voice 1- (soprano) voice 2 (alto) |
| Mar 25: Kontakion of the Annunciation #143 | download PDF Metropolitan Isaiah English Choral Version Melody Only | voice 1 (soprano) voice 2 (alto) Instrumental |
| Mar 25: Apolytikion of the Annunciation #141 | download PDF | voice 1 (soprano) voice 2 (alto) |
| Mar 25: Megalynarion of the Annunciation #144 | download PDF | melody |
| Mar 25: Communion Hymn of the Annunciation #145 | download PDF | instrumental |
| Mar 31: Apolytikion of St. Gregory Palamas (2nd Sunday of Lent) #171 | download PDF | voice 1 (soprano) voice 2 (alto) |
| Salutations (Akathist Hymn) | Complete Individual Pieces: Ode i Ode iii Ode iv Ode v Ode vi Ode vii Ode viii Ode ix Stanza responses Τήν ὡραιότητα (You were so Beautiful) | Small Compline-Instrumental |
April
| Feast Day | Sheet Music | YouTube Links: |
| Apr 7: Troparion of the Holy Cross-Soson Kyrie #99 | download PDF | Instrumental |
| Apr 7: Trisagios Hymn-Ton Stavron Sou #92 | download PDF | Instrumental |
| Apr 7: Communion Hymn – ‘Εσημειώθη εφ’ημας – The light of Your countenance #104 | download PDF | voice 1 (soprano) voice 2 (alto) |
| Apr 14: Apolytikion of St. John Climacus #172 | download PDF | voice 1 (soprano) voice 2 (alto) |
| Apr 21: Apolytikion of St. Mary of Egypt #184 | download PDF | voice 1 (soprano) voice 2 (alto) |
| Lazarus Saturday: Apolytikion of Lazarus #185 | download PDF | melody |
| Palm Sunday: 2nd Antiphon Response (Soson imas….) | download PDF | Instrumental |
| Palm Sunday: Apolytikion of Palm Sunday (Sindafendes si) #190 | download PDF | voice 1 (soprano) voice 2 (alto) |
| Palm Sunday: Kontakion of Palm Sunday #187 | download PDF | voice 1 (soprano) voice 2 (alto) |
| Palm Sunday: Megalynarion of Palm Sunday #188 | download PDF | melody |
| Palm Sunday: Communion Hymn of Palm Sunday #189 | download PDF | Instrumental |
Music for Great Lent
May
| Feast Day | Sheet Music | YouTube Links |
| Apolytikion for the Resurrection-Christ is Risen | melody only with parts | Instrumental |
| Kontakion: I ke en tafo | download PDF | voice 1 (soprano) voice 2 (alto) |
| Megalynarion: O Angelos Evoa Megalynarion: O Angelos Evoa (4th week after Pascha) Megalynarion: O Angelos Evoa (5th week after Pascha) | 1, 3, 6th week 4th week 5th week | melody 1,3 6th week 4th week-Instrumental melody for 5th week |
| Communion Hymn: Soma Christou | download PDF | Instrumental |
| Thomas Sunday: Apolytikion of St. Thomas Sunday – Ἐσφραγισμένου τοῦ μνήματος (#247) | download PDF | melody |
| Thomas Sunday: Communion Hymn for Thomas Sunday – Ἐπαίνει, Ἰερουσαλήμ (#248) | download PDF | Instrumental |
| May 19-3rd Sunday after Pascha: The Noble Joseph | download PDF | Instrumental |
| May 19-3rd Sunday after Pascha: The Myhrr-Bearing Women | download PDF | Instrumental |
June
| Feast Day | Sheet Music | YouTube Links |
| June 9: Fathers of the 2nd Ecumenical Council: ‘Υπερδεδοξασμένος εί, Χριστέ-Supremely Glorified are You, O Christ | download PDF | melody-soprano |
| June 13 & 16: Apolytikion for Ascension. ‘Ανελήφθείς εν δίξη (Anelifthis en dhoxi) #249 June 13 & 16: Kontakion for Ascension. Τήν υπέρ η μων πληρώσας #251 | download PDF download PDF | melody-soprano 2nd voice-alto voice 1-soprano voice 2-alto |
| June 13: Megalynarion. Σέ τήν υπέρ νουν #252 June 13: Communion Hymn. ‘Ανέβη ό Θεός #253 | download PDF download PDF | instrumental instrumental |
| June 23: Apolytikion for Pentecost. Ευλογητός ει, Χριστέ #254 June 23: 2nd Antiphon Response: Soson imas….. (5g) June 23: Kontakion for Pentecost. ‘Οτε καταβάς τάς γλώσσας #256 June 23: Megalynarion. Μή της φθορας #257 June 23: Communion Hymn. Τό Πνευμα σου τό αγαθόν οδγήσει με εν γη εύθεία #259 | download PDF (Apolytikion) download PDF (Soson imas….) download PDF (Kontakion) download PDF (Megalynarion) download PDF (Communion Hymn) | voice 1-soprano voice 2-alto Instrumental Instrumental Instrumental Melody-Soprano |
| June 30: Apolytikion of the Apostles #150 June 30: Apolytikion of All Saints #263 June 30: Kontakion of All Saints #264 | download PDF download PDF download PDF | Melody-Soprano Voice 1-Soprano Voice 2-Alto Instrumental |
July
| Feast Day | Sheet Music | YouTube Links |
| July 14: Apolytikion of the Fathers of the Ecumenical Council. ‘Υπερδεδοξασμένος εί, Χριστέ-Supremely Glorified are You, O Christ | download PDF | melody-soprano 2nd voice-alto |
| July 28-Aug 11: Kontakion of the Transfiguration – Ἐπί τοῦ ὄρους μετεμορφώθης #153 | download PDF | melody-soprano |
August
| Feast Day | Sheet Music | YouTube Links |
| Aug 6: Apolytikion of the Transfiguration | download PDF (Greek) download PDF (English) | melody (Greek) melody (english) |
| Aug 6 & 11: 2nd Antiphon response, …ο εν τω ‘Ορει τω Θαβώρ μεταμορφωθείς (…Who were transfigured on Mount Tabor) #5e | download PDF | instrumental |
| Aug 6: Megalynarion of the Transfiguration – Νῦν τὰ ἀνήκουστα ἠκούσθη #154 | download PDF | Instrumental |
| Aug 6: Communion Hymn of the Transfiguration – Ἐν τῷ φωτὶ τῆς δόξης #155 | download PDF | Instrumental |
| Aug 11: Kontakion of the Transfiguration – Ἐπί τοῦ ὄρους μετεμορφώθης #153 | download PDF | melody-soprano |
| Aug 15 & 18: Apolytikion for the Dormition of the Theotokos – Ἐν τῇ Γεννήσει #156 | download PDF | melody-soprano |
| Aug 15 & 18: Kontakion of the Dormition of the Theotokos – Τὴν ἐν πρεσβείαις ἀκοίμητον #157 | download PDF | melody-soprano |
| Aug 15: Megalynarion of the Dormition of the Theotokos – Αἱ γενεαὶ πᾶσαι, μακαρίζομέν σε #158 | download PDF | melody-soprano |
| Aug 15: Communion Hymn for Feasts to the Theotokos – Ποτήριον σωτηρίου (The cup of salvation) #98 | download PDF | melody in Greek & English |
| Aug 25: Apolytikion of the Apostles – Ἀπόστολοι Ἅγιοι #150 | download PDF | Instrumental |
| Aug 25: Kontakion of the Nativity of the Theotokos – Ἀπόστολοι Ἅγιοι #96 | download PDF | melody-soprano |
September
| Feast Day | Sheet Music | YouTube Links |
| Sep 8: Apolytikion for the Nativity of the Theotokos – ‘Η γέννησίς σου, Θεοτόκε #95 | download PDF | voice 1 (soprano) voice 2 (alto) |
| Sep 8: Kontakion of the Nativity of the Theotokos – Ἀπόστολοι Ἅγιοι #96 | download PDF | melody-soprano |
| Sep 8: Megalynarion for the Nativity of the Theotokos – ‘Αλλότριον των Μητέρων #97 | download PDF | melody-soprano |
| Sep 8: Communion Hymn, Ποτήριον σωτηρίου (The cup of salvation) #98 | download PDF | melody in Greek & English |
| Sep 14: Elevation of the Holy Cross | download PDF | melody (soprano) |
| Sep 14: 2nd Antiphon response….ο σαρκί σταυρωθείς (…Who were crucified in flesh) | download PDF | Instrumental |
| Sep 14: Kontakion for the Elevation of the Holy Cross – ‘Ο υψωθείς εν τω Σταυρω #101 | download PDF | Instrumental |
| Sep 14: Trisagios Hymn – Your Cross – Τόν σταυρόν σου #92 | download PDF | Instrumental |
| Sep 14: Megalynarion for the Elevation of the Holy Cross – Μυστικός ει, Θεοτόκε, Παράδεισος #102 | download PDF | voice 1(soprano) voice 2 (alto) |
| Sep 14: Communion Hymn – ‘Εσημειώθη εφ’ημας – The light of Your countenance #104 | download PDF | voice 1 (soprano) voice 2 (alto) |
| Sep 26: The Falling Asleep of St. John the Theologian | download PDF | melody (soprano) 2nd voice (alto) |
October
| Feast Day | Sheet Music | YouTube Links |
| Oct 1: St. Romanos the Melodist (+510) – Εν Σοί πάτερ άκριβώς | download PDF | melody-soprano 2nd voice-alto |
| Oct 8: St. Pelagia the Righteous (+461) ‘Εν σοι, μήτερ, άκριβώς | download PDF | melody-soprano 2nd voice-alto |
| Oct 13: Fathers of the 7th Ecumenical Council (+787): ‘Υπερδεδοξασμένος εί, Χριστέ-Supremely Glorified are You, O Christ | download PDF | melody-soprano 2nd voice-alto |
| Oct 22: Averkios, Equal to the Apostles (+167) : A Canon of Faith – Κανόνα πίστεως | download PDF | melody-soprano 2nd voice-alto |
| Oct 22: Apolytikion for the Seven Martyred Children of Ephesus | digital chant stand | melody line |
| Oct 26: Apolytikion for St. Demetrios (+306) | download PDF | instrumental of parts |
November
| Feast Day | Sheet Music | YouTube Links |
| Nov 3: As the Captives’ Deliverer-Ὡς τῶν αἰχμαλώτων ἐλευθερωτής-Apolytikion for the Martyr St. George #146 | download PDF | Voice 1 (soprano) Voice 2 (alto) |
| Nov 19: Kontakion – The Most Pure Temple- ‘Ο καθαρώτατος Ναός | download PDF | melody (soprano) 2nd voice (alto) |
| Nov 21: Apolytikion-Today is the Prelude-Σύμερον τήσ εύδοκίας | download PDF | melody (soprano) 2nd voice (alto) |
| Nov 21: Megalinarion: Angels beholding the entry -‘Αγγελοι τήν είσοδον…’Ως έμψύχω Θεού (#111) | download PDF | melody (soprano) 2nd voice (alto) |
| Nov 21: Communion Hymn: The Cup of Salvation – Ποτήριον σωτηρίου | download PDF | melody in Greek & English |
| Nov 26: Kontakion for the Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ (On this day the Virgin comes…pre-eternal Logos) ‘Η Παρθένοσ σήμερον τόν προαιώνιον Λόγον | download PDF | soprano line 2nd voice (alto) line |
December
| Feast Day | Sheet Music | YouTube Links |
| Dec 1: Kontakion for the Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον, τόν προαιώνιον Λόγον #119 verse 1 | download PDF | Voice 1 (soprano) Voice 2 (alto) |
| Dec 25: 2nd Antiphon for the Nativity of Christ Σῶσον ἡμᾶς …. ὁ ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθείς | ||
| Dec 25: Apolytikion for Feast day for Nativity of Christ | download PDF | Soprano 2nd voice (alto) |
| Dec 25: Kontakion: ‘Η Παρθένος σήμερον τόν ύπερούσιον τίκτει (On the day the Virgin gives birth) | download PDF | soprano 2nd voice (alto) |
| Dec 25: Trisagios Hymn: Οσοι είς Χριστόν (As many of you as were baptized) | download PDF | soprano 2nd voice (alto) |
| Dec 25: Hymn to the Theotokos: ‘Επί σοί χαίρει (All of creation rejoices) | download PDF | soprano 2nd voice-(alto) |
| Dec 25: Communion Hymn: Λύτρωσιν άπέστειλε Κύριοσ (The Lord sent redemption) | download PDF | soprano 2nd voice-(alto) |
Trisagion Hymns
| Feast Day | Sheet Music | YouTube Links |
| Your Cross – Τόν σταυρόν σου Sung 3rd Sunday of Lent, Sep 14 (Elevation of the Holy Cross) | download PDF | Instrumental |
| Οσοι είς Χριστόν (As many of you as were baptized) Sung at Baptisms, Saturday of Lazarus, Holy Saturday, Pentecost and Christmas | download PDF | soprano 2nd voice (alto) |
Kontakion
| Feast Day | Sheet Music | YouTube Links |
| Ordinary Kontakion: A Protection of Christians-Προστασία τών Χριστιανών | download PDF | Melody (soprano) 2nd voice (alto) Instrumental |
Hymns to the Theotokos
| Megalynarion (Hymn to the Theotokos) | Sheet Music | YouTube Links |
| Αγγελοι τήν είσοδον…’Ως ένψύχω Θεού (Angels beholding the entry….As a living ark of God) #111 | ||
| Megalynarion of the Liturgy of St. Basil #72 in major, #33 in minor | download PDF (major key) minor key | major key-soprano major key-alto major key-instrumental minor key-instrumental |
| Megalynarion of the Annunciation #144 | download PDF | |
Communion Hymns
| Communion Hymn | Sheet Music | YouTube Links |
| Ποτήριον σωτηρίου (The cup of salvation) #98 | download PDF | melody in Greek & English |
| Praise the Lord-Αἰνεῖτε τὸν Κύριον | download PDF | 4 part harmony |
