About Us

The Romanos the Melodist Chanters’ Society of Greater New York was founded in 2023, with the paternal encouragement and blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and the initiative of the local area chanters of greater New York. Within the framework of its activities, it provides free classes in Byzantine music and traditional Greek instruments every Monday evening at the Transfiguration of Christ Church in Corona, NY, which graciously offers the use of its facilities in support of this effort. These classes are open to anyone interested in learning more about traditional Greek music and developing their musical skills. The mission of these classes is to spread the art of Byzantine music and train new chanters to serve in local parishes and carry on this rich spiritual and cultural legacy.
    At the same time, it puts together musical performances on a regular basis. As part of its cultural contribution, the Society also participates in local area church services, such as festal vespers, or special concerts to advance the art of Byzantine chant and contribute to Orthodox Christian worship.

      Our Society invites all interested parties to become members and join in our initiative for the showcasing of the Hellenic musical tradition in the local Greek-American Community and American society at large. 

The art of Byzantine chant has been included on UNESCO's official List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The purpose of its inclusion is to showcase the importance of studying and preserving the art of Byzantine chant for the benefit of posterity, as well as sensitizing all interested parties and stakeholders to take action to promote and propagate our cultural legacy, whose roots date back to the ancient Greek musical tradition and has spanned millennia serving as a musical tradition for millions of people.

We are all instruments of God.  We walk our path, bear our cross and learn to detect our purpose.  As we find our voice and faith we start to serve the will of our Lord.

Finding our voice is not for our own vanity’s sake but for the conviction and humility that despite our sins we can echo the words and will of God; to spread his love for all 

his creation.

“So he who sings well puts his soul in tune, correcting by degrees its faulty rhythm, so that at last, being truly natural and integrated, it has fear of nothing, but in peaceful freedom from all vain imaginings may apply itself with greater longing to the good things to come. For a soul rightly ordered by chanting the sacred word forgets its own afflictions and contemplates with joy the things of Christ alone.”

— St. Athanasius