The Prokeimenon
is a liturgical verse or scriptural passage sung or read before the reading
of the Epistle. These short verse of the Psalms chanted at Vespers, Matins
and before the Epistle at other Services.They
serve as an introduction to the theme of this particular reading. A form of
responsorial singing consisting of a psalm-verse refrain and, by extension
-- the entire psalm and refrain; so called because in ancient
Constantinopolitan usage the psalm-verse refrain was given before (pro) the
text (keimenon) of the psalm. In the liturgy the p. can stand alone, as at
Vespers, or be used in conjunction with readings from Scripture, where its
original function was that of a prayerful and didactic respite from the
rigors of attentive listening to Scripture.
Prokeimenon are sung on special melodies according
to the Tones: after the reader intones.
Sheet Music PDF Files
In Everlasting Remembrance (Psalm 111)
Their sound hath gone Forth (Psalm 18)
