Organs in Orthodox Worship: Debate and Identity

Authors

• Harrison Russin

Keywords:

organ, instrumental music, Orthodox worship, debate, diversity

Abstract

Conceptions of Orthodox identity typically involve three important topics—dispute, validation, and diversity. This essay examines the use of instrumental music, specifically organs, within Orthodox parishes, a phenomenon localized mostly to churches of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and the means by which debates around instrumental use form conceptions of Orthodox identity. After examining arguments for and against the use of instruments within worship, the essay concludes with a call for a greater emphasis to be placed on diversity within Orthodox liturgical praxis and, to a larger degree, thought.