NOTE! This course is part of a series of substitute cantor courses; it is not possible to register for individual courses.
The goal of the course is to provide skills to temporarily serve as an Orthodox cantor in Evening and Morning Services and Vigils. Learning materials include a Vigil music book and online resources for liturgical texts. On this course, we will familiarize ourselves with the orders of the Evening and Morning Services and the Vigil, the selection of texts, the melodies of the Eight Tones, the fixed hymns of the Vigil, the use of the tuning fork and intonations, and the basics of liturgical choir conducting. The reader's parts will also be studied. Course participants will form a choir and, during the course, will participate in the monastery's services both by singing in the choir and practicing cantor duties. The course is suitable for those who sing in an Orthodox choir and have a basic understanding of church singing, music theory, and solfège. The course does not provide formal qualification as an Orthodox cantor. Instructor: Master of Theology, Musician (Master's level), Music Pedagogue (Bachelor's level) dir.cant. Varvara Merras-Häyrynen. The course receives support from the Orthodox Church of Finland.
Special price 160 €/OH1 includes teaching, accommodation, and meals according to the program. No other discounts. The language of instruction is Finnish.
Program
Thursday 22.10.2026.
13:00 Lunch.
14:00 Course opening and introductory discussion.
14:30 Vespers formula, selection of variable texts.
Break.
16:30 Fixed hymns of Vespers.
18:00 Ninth Hour, Vespers, Small Compline and pravilo.
19:30 Evening snack.
Friday 23.10.2026.
06:00 Midnight Office and Matins, First Hour.
07:30 Breakfast.
09:00 Matins formula, selection of variable texts.
Break.
10:30 Fixed hymns of Matins.
12:00 Lunch.
13:30 Vigil formula, differences between Sunday Vigil and Festal Vigil.
Break.
15:30 Fixed hymns and stichera melodies of the Vigil.
18:00 Ninth Hour, Vespers and Panikhida, the course sings.
19:30 Evening snack.
Saturday 24.10.2026.
6:00 Midnight Office, Parastas-Matins and Liturgy.
7:30 Breakfast.
9:00 Review of Vigil formula and stichera melodies, leading Vigil hymns.
Break.
12:00 Moleben, the course sings.
12:30 Lunch.
14:00 Leading Vigil hymns.
Break.
16:20 Departure to Lintula.
17:00 Vigil in Lintula, the course sings and leads.
19:30 Return to Valamo and Evening snack.
Sunday 25.10.2026.
07:20 Departure to Lintula.
08:00 Liturgy in Lintula, the course sings and leads.
Morning coffee.
approx. 11:30 Return to Valamo, room handover, lunch.
13:00 Review of what was learned on the course and feedback discussion.
14:00 Course conclusion.
