About the Heavenly Hierarchy and Angelic Inspired Singing

Authors

  • Tatiana Feodosievna Vladyshevskaya Lomonosov Moscow State University

Keywords:

angelic inspired singing, St. Dionysius the Areopagite, the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel, “Cherubic Hymn”, “Now the Powers of Heaven”

Abstract

The theological concept of angelic inspired singing originates in the books of the Old Testament prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel. They describe visions of the glory of the Lord, a throne surrounded by angels singing the glory of the Most High. Church singing as an angelic chanting of God is reflected in many liturgical hymns. Father of the Church (V–VI) Dionysius the Areopagite in his treatise “On the Heavenly Hierarchy” harmoniously expounded the doctrine of the hierarchy of heavenly ranks, and angelic singing. In Russia, the doctrine of angelic singing is presented in the teachings of St. Theodosius of the Caves, in the apocrypha, and even in the poetry of A. S. Pushkin.

Author Biography

Tatiana Feodosievna Vladyshevskaya, Lomonosov Moscow State University

Doctor of Art History, Associate Professor

Published

2022-08-02

Issue

Section

Historical Theology