The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, as part of its continuing ministry efforts, has announced the release of the compact disk “Liturgical Hymns of Praise by Orthodox Youth.” Produced in collaboration with Orthodox musician Andrew Anthony and all Archdiocesan camp and diocese youth directors, this liturgical CD features the voices of young people from throughout America singing the hymns of the liturgy in both Greek and English, with full liner notes. Conforming to Byzantine liturgical tradition, the CD contains the Divine Liturgy in its entirety, plus selected Orthodox hymns.

The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry undertook the project to teach Orthodox young people the hymns of the Divine Liturgy, and to educate them in the tradition of Byzantine music in the Orthodox Church. With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon, all Diocese Summer Youth Camps (ten camps in all) were invited to participate in this unique recording. Each camp learned specific hymns from the Divine Liturgy for their part in the recording, while at the same time learning some of the history of Byzantine music and the purpose it is intended to serve in our lives. A total of over 1,000 young people were recorded singing the praises of the Divine Liturgy; the result is a seamless celebration of the Divine Liturgy with contributions from across America.

The first CD of its kind, “Liturgical Hymns of Praise by Orthodox Youth” is an offering of praise by all Greek Orthodox young people for all the faithful of the Archdiocese of America. It is a vehicle through which the treasures of the Divine Liturgy may be revealed to its listeners. The National Youth Office has already begun receiving numerous requests for this CD and many parishes are offering it as a gift to their young people and parishioners. “Liturgical Hymns of Praise by Orthodox Youth” is now available through the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry; details on single or bulk purchases can be obtained by contacting them directly at 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021; by phone at (212) 774-0297; or by email at [email protected].