Blog

Short Film on Eastern Orthodox Monasticism

(Contact us if you would like to receive more information about The Orthodoxy Project which includes plans for a full length documentary on Orthodoxy in America)

A year ago I was with a team in Long Island, NY, filming at an Orthodox monastery. The monks featured in this film are now called the Brotherhood of St. Dionysios the Areopagite. You can watch the documentary about their Christian witness here:

Two Psalms for Times of Violence

Dos Salmos para Tiempos de Violencia

I wrote this song for a student’s retreat in Aguilares, El Salvador. It is inspired by Psalms 120 & 121, and it will appear in GIA’s upcoming bilingual hymnal, ” Santo, Santo, Santo”, “Holy, Holy, Holy: Songs for the People of God.”

Escribí este canto para un campamento de estudiantes en Aguijares, El Salvador. Está inspirado en los Salmos 120 y 121. Aparecerá en el himnario “Santo, Santo, Santo: Cantos para el pueblo de Dios” de próxima publicación bajo el sello de GIA Music.

I start slow the song slow in Spanish, and then we transition to a faster tempo. I use  Cumbia rhythms, and elements of Puerto Rican plena. This was presented at Baylor’s Alleluia conference on July 20, 2018.

Lyrics/ Letra: Al Señor clamé estando en angustia, y él me respondió.                                                 Líbrame del labio mentiroso, y lenguas embusteras.                                                            Ay de mí! Que habito entre gente violenta;  Ay de mí! Que habito entre tanta maldad.

Quiero paz, pero ellos solo hablan de guerra.  Ven, Señor,  Ven, ven y dános tu paz. 

(English Tr. by Greg Scheer)

I am crying out to God in my anguish, and he will hear my prayer.                                                 Deliver me from lying lips, Oh save me, from tongues that are deceitful.                        

Woe is me! For I live in a land  full of violence;                                                                                    Woe is me! For I dwell among those who hate peace.          

I’m for peace, but they say only war is the answer. Woe is me! For I dwell among those who hate peace.  I’m for peace, but they say only war is the answer.                                                                 Come, O Lord!  Come and give us your peace.