Beth Gazo
Beth Gazo (ܒܶܝܬ̥ ܓܰܙܳܐ
History
The origin of Beth Gazo can be traced back to the early centuries of Christianity going as far as Bardaisan (154–222 CE).[1] However, the bulk of the hymns is attributed to Ephrem the Syrian (306 – 373 CE).
There are two main traditions in chanting: western based on the School of Mardin and eastern in Tikrit formerly. There is a daily breviary found in the Syriac Orthodox Church called "Shehimo: Book of Common Prayer" where the West Syriac style of chants and melodies from Beth Gazo are followed.
Contents
The abridged version of Beth Gazo contain the following hymns:
- Qole shahroye (ܩܠܐ ܫܗܪܝܐ) "vigils". These were sung by those belonging to the order of shahroye "vigilants". they are dedicated to the Virgin, the saints, to penitence and the departed.
- Gushmo (ܓܫܡܐ) "body". Each of which consists of eight modes. These are recited during the daily offices known as šḥimo (ܫܚܝܡܐ).
- Sebeltho d'madroshe (ܣܒܠܬܐ ܕܡܕܪܫܐ) "ladder of hymns". It is this category that seems to have mostly inherited Ephrem's.
- Fardo (ܦܪܕܐ) "single". These are short hymns divided into eight collections corresponding to the eight Syriac maqams.
- Qonuno yawnoyo (ܩܢܘܢܐ ܝܘܢܝܐ) "Greek canon". Divided into eight collections.
- Mawrbo (ܡܘܪܒܐ) "magnificat". Dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
- Qole ghnize (ܩܠܐ ܓܢܝܙܐ) "mystic hymns". Those were lost.
- Takheshphotho rabuloyotho (ܬܟܫܦܬܐ ܪܒܘܠܐܬܐ) "litanies of Rabula". Attributed to Rabbula bishop of Edessa.
- Tborto (ܬܒܝܪܬܐ) "broken". They fall into three categories: those attributed to St. Jacob of Serug, St. Ephrem the Syrian and of St. Balai of Qenneshrin.
- Quqlion (ܩܘܩܠܝܘܢ) "cycles". These are cycles from the Psalms.
References
- ^ Edessian Preservation Initiative, lostorigins
- Gregorios Y. IBRAHIM, Ephrem's Madroshe and the Syrian Orthodox Beth Gazo: A Loose, But Fascinating, Affinity, Hugoye
- The Treasury of Chants, Hugoye
- History of The Syriac Music Church, Abrohom Lahdo and Elias Zazi