Syrian Hymnography

ABSTRACT:Syrian hymnography covers vast tracts both of time and geography. In the Syrian liturgical traditions, in contradistinction to those of the Latin West, poetic compositions play a central role. Of particular importance is the work of St. Ephrem, preacher-poet. Popular musical culture was not without ambiguities, bearing, fostering and disseminating teachings viewed as heterodox by some; hence it was sometimes more didactic and apologetic than lyrical. Alongside hymns, antiphons and responses form part of the corpus. A brief summary of the current place of hymnography in the churches of the West and East Syrian traditions is given.