Recently I got the chance to listen to the Matrimonial Hymns of our
Church - thanks to the good work by the LMC (Liturgical Musical
Choir), MGOCSM, American Diocese. (Eldho Kuriakose wrote about the
CD sometime back)
The CD was well made with Hymns in Malayalam followed by the songs
translated to English (translation done by HG Yakub Mar Iranios,
Metropolitan).
The songs give a valuable insight into the faith of the Church. I
for one, am more appreciative of the wealth of faith, that we are
custodians of , after listening to these hymns. Since I do not read
Malayalam fluently, there was no way I could have understood any of
the meanings even if I ever laid hands on the Matrimonial Hymn Book
in Malayalam, and we do not have any Manglish\English books for
these. (do we?).
In such a situation, these songs and the commentaries in between
were blessings for me. It made me aware of the importance our
Fathers, guided by the Holy Ghost, gave to the sacrament of Holy
Matrimony. All throughout, we are reminded of Christ, the Bridegroom
and His Love for His bride, the Church, thus exhorting the couple in
question to follow that divine example.
While I was younger, I thought that "Sundarikalil Athi Sundari
Nee.." was a song sung in light vein to tease (and please) the
bride. (In Indian culture we are aware of songs and "masti" in
various traditions to tease the bride and bridegroom during marriage
ceremonies -- for eg - the would be sister-in-law "stealing" the
footwear of the bridegroom and then asking for "ransom" for its
return - is prevalent in marriages). I used to feel that this
particular song was a Christian version of the same light hearted
humor. The few times during marriages that I carelessly heard this
song, the same thoughts would cross me. I liked the song for its
lively tune.
It was only after I got to hear the song over and over again on the
CD that it sunk into my head that it is a wonderful praise of the
beauty of the Church, the Bride, of Lord and Bridegroom Jesus. The
poetry is great, the tune excellent, and the theme - divine!! The
Church has spent a lot of thought, time, energy to spell out the
importance and significance of Holy Matrimony, one of the seven
major sacraments of the Church. We generally see a festive and
casual attitude in marriages today -- yet the Church reminds us
throughout the service about the depth of love and responsibility
the couple needs to nurture mutually, and the treasure of theology
in the sacrament.
I write these in detail to bring out that such works help a lot, in
big ways and in small, to clear silly doubts as well as great
misunderstandings. Please keep up the good work!!
I would recommend this CD for all, especially those who due to
circumstances and situations of their lives, do not have the correct
perception about our Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.
Mathew
Austin,TX
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/4672
Church - thanks to the good work by the LMC (Liturgical Musical
Choir), MGOCSM, American Diocese. (Eldho Kuriakose wrote about the
CD sometime back)
The CD was well made with Hymns in Malayalam followed by the songs
translated to English (translation done by HG Yakub Mar Iranios,
Metropolitan).
The songs give a valuable insight into the faith of the Church. I
for one, am more appreciative of the wealth of faith, that we are
custodians of , after listening to these hymns. Since I do not read
Malayalam fluently, there was no way I could have understood any of
the meanings even if I ever laid hands on the Matrimonial Hymn Book
in Malayalam, and we do not have any Manglish\English books for
these. (do we?).
In such a situation, these songs and the commentaries in between
were blessings for me. It made me aware of the importance our
Fathers, guided by the Holy Ghost, gave to the sacrament of Holy
Matrimony. All throughout, we are reminded of Christ, the Bridegroom
and His Love for His bride, the Church, thus exhorting the couple in
question to follow that divine example.
While I was younger, I thought that "Sundarikalil Athi Sundari
Nee.." was a song sung in light vein to tease (and please) the
bride. (In Indian culture we are aware of songs and "masti" in
various traditions to tease the bride and bridegroom during marriage
ceremonies -- for eg - the would be sister-in-law "stealing" the
footwear of the bridegroom and then asking for "ransom" for its
return - is prevalent in marriages). I used to feel that this
particular song was a Christian version of the same light hearted
humor. The few times during marriages that I carelessly heard this
song, the same thoughts would cross me. I liked the song for its
lively tune.
It was only after I got to hear the song over and over again on the
CD that it sunk into my head that it is a wonderful praise of the
beauty of the Church, the Bride, of Lord and Bridegroom Jesus. The
poetry is great, the tune excellent, and the theme - divine!! The
Church has spent a lot of thought, time, energy to spell out the
importance and significance of Holy Matrimony, one of the seven
major sacraments of the Church. We generally see a festive and
casual attitude in marriages today -- yet the Church reminds us
throughout the service about the depth of love and responsibility
the couple needs to nurture mutually, and the treasure of theology
in the sacrament.
I write these in detail to bring out that such works help a lot, in
big ways and in small, to clear silly doubts as well as great
misunderstandings. Please keep up the good work!!
I would recommend this CD for all, especially those who due to
circumstances and situations of their lives, do not have the correct
perception about our Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.
Mathew
Austin,TX
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/4672
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