What is the National Forum?

 

Church Musicians  

The National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians is the Archdiocesan ministry responsible for liturgical music activities and the development, support, and recognition of church musicians. Chartered in 1976 as an official auxiliary of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the National Forum serves as the liaison among local church musicians, metropolis church music federations, and the Archdiocese. It also serves as the gathering place for church musicians to discuss issues related to liturgical music and to formulate needed responses.



The National Forum has four major areas of focus:

  • Support for CHOIRS, providing resources and activities to improve the quality of choirs and the availability of choral music in the church
  • Support for CHANTERS and the preservation of BYZANTINE CHANT
  • Support for YOUTH CHURCH MUSIC PROGRAMS, including hymnology and junior choirs
  • Support for CLERGY, including parish music ministries, and support for clergy

 

The National Forum is Proud to Host New Byzantium Publications
New Byzantium Publications is the go-to resource for Church Hymns organized in feast days and calendar for common and obscure hymns, most in both western notation and Byzantine neumes.

New Byzantium Publications

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National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Music · 24th Biennial Clergy Laity Congress

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Apolytikion for the Dormition of the Theotokos

Composed by Kevin Lawrence

National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Music · Apolytikion Of The Dormition
National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Music · Apolytikion Of The Dormition

What’s New!

Announcing the 2025 Liturgical Guidebook

We’re delighted to introduce the 2025 Liturgical Guidebook, the trusted resource that continues to enhance your worship music journey. Available December 15, the 2025 edition brings you the same favorite features, functionality, and layout that made last year’s guidebook a must-have for church musicians everywhere!

What You Love, Now a Year Strong

The 2025 Liturgical Guidebook retains all the innovative updates that transformed your music worship experience:

  • Digital PDF Version
    Access the complete guidebook anytime, anywhere, with search and print features designed for convenience and flexibility.

  • Greek Transliteration
    Seamlessly navigate hymn titles with clear transliterations like Ἐν Ἰορδάνη / En Iordhani (When in the Jordan), bridging language gaps and enriching your hymn selections.

  • Streamlined Organization
    Enjoy easy navigation with reorganized sections, quick-reference National Forum links, and a single, dedicated space for guidebook resources.

  • Antiphonal Psalm Verses
    Follow Sunday and Feast Day service charts with integrated antiphonal Psalm verses, eliminating unnecessary page flipping.

  • Comprehensive Resources Section
    Find all National Forum publications, contact details, and award recipients compiled in one easily accessible place.

  • Feedback Options
    Continue to share your thoughts effortlessly via QR codes in the print version or with a click in the digital version. Your voice shapes future editions!

Sales & Ordering Information

Don’t miss your chance to secure the 2025 Liturgical Guidebook and ensure your worship services remain inspiring and well-prepared. With proven features and reliable organization, this guidebook is your key to enrich your church music ministry!

October 6, 2024 was National Church Music Sunday!

For over 40 years, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has designated the first Sunday of October as National Church Musicians Sunday! It is a time to honor and celebrate the contributions of Church Musicians from throughout the parishes of our Archdiocese.

Click here for more National Church Music Sunday resources, ways in which you can honor your Church Musicians and more!

Video Greeting from Archbishop Elpidophoros in honor of National Church Music Sunday 2024!

2024 Annual Meeting of the National Forum

The 48th Annual Meeting of the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians was held in conjuction with the 2024 Clergy Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in San Diego, CA from June 29 through July 3, 2024.

Next year's Annual Meeting will be held in Clearwater, FL. More details to come!

 

Now is a great time to become a STEWARD of the National Forum or to renew your membership!

Please help to support the vital mission of the National Forum in providing resources and guidance to all our Church Musicians! With the support of its stewards, the National Forum can continue to accomplish the many projects that strengthen and perpetuate our sacred Orthodox hymnology. Here are some of the projects that stewardship contributions have supported recently.

  • Researched, prepared, published the Annual Liturgical Guidebook each year.
  • Completed A Guide for Greek Orthodox Church Music Directors.
  • Distributed Church Music Sunday materials to each parish of our Archdiocese including a complimentary National Church Music Sunday poster.
  • Co-sponsored Church Music Institutes with Church Music Federations in several Metropolises (via Zoom during the pandemic).
  • Created and distributed a new brochure with up-to-date information about the National Forum.
  • Provided research and resources regarding ways to return to singing/chanting safely.

Listed below are some key plans for 2022-2023.

  • Reviewing and updating The Companion Guide to the “Liturgical Guidebook"
  • Setting the Anastassiou liturgies to the official English translation.
  • Developing a new ONLINE Youth Music Program for our Sunday Church Schools
  • Planning a Composers Symposium in conjunction with our annual meeting in July
  • Creating a national youth church music festival similar to the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival
  • Offering financial assistance to Metropolis Federations to hold Church Music Institutes

Download the Stewardship Form

Hymn-Singing Resources for Young People

Please visit our Hymns for Kids resource page, a collection of sites which offer listening and singing experiences with Greek Orthodox hymns especially for youth. Compiled for use at home, Church School, and during youth activities by the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians. Click here to visit the page

Hierarchical Guidelines - UPDATED

The guidelines for Hierarchical visits have been updated for the first time since 2009. Please download and review this document prior to a Hierarchical Liturgy and remember to check with the senior-ranking priest and/or the Hierarch's deacon.

Click this link to download your copy

 

Choral Settings Using the New Standard English Translation available through the National Forum

KEVIN LAWRENCE: A four-part setting of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom that serves as a companion to the new Greek Orthodox Hymnal being distributed by the Department of Religious Education. This is the only work that uses the same melodies as the Hymnal, in Greek and English, so it is suitable for parishes that wish to have their choirs and congregations use the same melodies. The work also includes two settings of the Doxology, all festal substitutions for the second Antiphon (Soson Imas), the eight Resurrectional Apolytikia, four settings of the Trisaghion as well as its festal substitutions, six settings of the Cherubic Hymn, three settings of the Anaphora, psalms for use during Communion, Memorial Service hymns, and the Hierarchical service. Available spiral-bound for $28 or three-hole punched binder-ready for $25, plus shipping and handling. Please specify when ordering.

NICHOLAS ROUBANIS: Selections from the 5th edition of Roubanis’ arrangement of the Divine Liturgy, including all the basic hymns for both regular and hierarchical Divine Liturgies, have been re-typeset and adapted for the new official English translation. The book includes both the original Roubanis Greek melodies and his melodies adapted, as needed, to fit the English words. The cost is $15 per book plus shipping and handling. It is three-hole punched binder-ready.

Both settings can be ordered through the Publications office of the National Forum by contacting Lucy Pappadakis, Publications Chairman at lucy_38@hotmail.com 

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