Presenting ‘Agni PartheneOriginal Song From A’
A Greek Orthodox Sacred Chant to Holy VIrgin Mary
Agni Partene is a Greek Genre, a holy chant used in Greek Orthodox Churches during the time of intercession to Holy Virgin Mary. Being nothing, I was fortunate to compile an orchestration and harmony for the same chant to venerate her holy name. Inspired by a Greek Orthodox Priest/ Singer Fr. Kubarnakos NIkodimos, I could utilise this hymn for the EnChristos symphony after contacting him.
When I requested Fr. Biju Mathew, Pulickal, ( affectionately known as Pulickalachen), who is a well known lyricist in MOC has most graciously agreed to write a Malayalam version also in this session. Seeking the prayers of the Holy Mother, I started making this hymn and God Almighty has given the opportunity to present this for the Symphony event En-Christos for the first of its kind in MOC, organised by St Marys Indian Orthodox Cathedral, Bahrain. I am not certain whether I would get another chance in my life to perform it once again accompanied by a classic Police Orchestra from Bahrain and beautiful trained choir from the church.
Thanking Lord Almighty for this Ever Beautiful Woman
An event by St. Mary’s Indian Orthodox Cathedral, Bahrain
Music Harmony arranged, composed and conducted by Rev. Fr. John Samuel
Performed By: EnChristos Choir
Orchestra: Police Band Orchestra, Kingdom of Bahrain
Organised By : Managing Committee 2019, SMIOC Bahrain.
Malayalam Lyrics: Fr Biju Mathew Pulickal
ജനനീ ജഗമൊക്കെക്കും നീയേ
കൃപ പേറും മാതൃ സാന്ത്വനം
ജനനീ നീ ധന്യേ കന്യേ
നാരീ പതനം നിര്‍മ്മൂലനം
ചെയ്തോള്‍ രണ്ടാം ഹവ്വാ നീയേ
തായേ താങ്ങായിത്തീരണേ
ഉയിരിന്‍ ആപത്തെന്നോര്‍ത്തിട്ടും
ഉയിരിന്‍ നാഥനെ നീ പേറി
ജനനീ നീ ധന്യേ കന്യേ
സര്‍വ്വം കരങ്ങളില്‍ താങ്ങും
സര്‍വ്വേശനെ വഹിച്ചു നീ
തായേ താങ്ങായിത്തീരണേ
ഉലകത്തെ ഊട്ടും നാഥനെ
ഊട്ടി തായ് പാലിനാലെ നീ
ജനനീ നീ ധന്യേ കന്യേ
എരിയാമുള്ളേ മാതാ കന്യേ
ഇടിവാള്‍ ഹൃത്തേ പേറും തായേ
തായേ താങ്ങായിത്തീരണേ
Written in accordance with the tune of the Greek Chant
Media Production:
Koloredshadowz Team
Manu Nayer, Safeer Live & Jeev Jacob
2nd Unit Camera:
Thomas Samuel, Image Express, Bahrain
Live mix Anil Kumbanadu
Live stream : Aju Daniel
Post Production Mix : R Noble Studioph7
History of this Holy Hymn
St. Nectarios was a Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Church throughout the late 1800s, and early 1900s. Throughout the period of his episcopacy, he spent much time in prayer and contemplation, and dedicated himself to the monastic life. His spiritual lifestyle, and his particular dedication to the Virgin Mary inspired him to write a wide variety of religious poetry, much of which was published during his life, and after his repose in 1920.
One of the many poems he wrote is "Agni Parthene" or "O Virgin Pure". According to a tradition passed down on the island of Aegina, St. Nectarios reportedly composed the text for this poem after having seen a vision of the Theotokos in a dream where she asked him to record this poem. The original script can still be viewed on his prayer table in his bedroom at this monastery.
It was later published as a poetic hymn for non-liturgical use and private edification in his publication called "Theotokarion of Odes & Hymns for the Most-Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary" of 1905, which included many other similar poems