On Sunday, October 1, 2023, at the end of the Divine Liturgy there was special blessing for the choir director, members, and readers. This blessing takes place annually on the Sunday closest to the feast of St. Romanus the Melodist (October 1st). We ask that Lord's divine blessing upon them so that they might worthily fulfill this vital ministry.

Prayer for the Blessing of a Choir

O Lord Jesus Christ our God, who dost receive together with Thine Eternal Father and the All-holy Spirit, the mystical song of the Seraphim, who sing “Holy, holy, holy; the whole earth is full of Thy glory”, and who hast perfected praise through the mouths of babes and infants who sang to Thee the hymn “Hosanna”, grant that these Thy servants, our choir directors, chanters, and readers, might likewise be vouchsafed, with fear and trembling, to join their hearts and voices to this sacred choir, whose prayers Thou dost permit to ascend before Thy heavenly throne.

Grant to them humbleness of mind, unity of purpose, harmony in song and spirit, diligence in attention and self-correction, freedom from vanity and pride, unfeigned obedience to the tradition of the Church and Her appointed pastors, and sincere love for the sacred texts and hymns of the divine services, so that they might offer up, together with their voices, due reverence for Thy great and exalted Name, realizing that the mere pronunciation of which is a supreme honor for the hosts of heaven, let alone a people of unclean lips.

Let their tongues which praise Thee be purged of unseemly speech and every divisive word, root out from them the spirit of competitiveness and vainglory, granting them instead the grace to speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, making melody in their hearts, and giving thanks always for all things to Thee; For Thou art our God, and to Thee do we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.