Kliros

Patriarchate of Constantinople

The kliros (

or singers assemble for the services, as well as to the actual music stand or shelves on which music is stored and read.

Overview

The name derives from the Greek word for "lot", since originally those who read and sang were chosen by lot.^[1]

Historically, in

.

This arrangement presupposes a number of singers on each side, adding up to a reasonably large total, and two highly trained chanters skilled in leading the services. Unfortunately, highly trained chanters are exceedingly rare today, and most churches have only the one kliros, often to the right of the iconostasis. Nevertheless, some patriarchal cathedrals, larger monastic communities, seminaries, and places with sufficient resources and singers, may continue to have two kliroi.

The

above the great doors of the west entrance of the church.

In churches of the

(outer-cassock).

In the

(robe made out of fine material).

References

External links

• Kliros - Russian Orthodox free archive of church singing materials
• Клирос в интерьере русского храма в XVII—XVIII веках