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Prostopinije

Prostopinije (Slav. prostopinije, "simple chant") is the traditional liturgical chant of the Rusyn peoples of  the Carpathian Mountains, and of their descendents who immigrated to other parts of the world.  This chant is sung in the monasteries and parishes of the Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholic Church and the Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church in the United States, and in the Ruthenian Catholic dioceses of Mukačevo (Ukraine), Prešov and Kosice (Slovakia),  Hajdudorog (Hungary), Krisevtsi (Croatia), and Ruski Kerestur (Serbia) in Europe.

The primary characteristics of prostopinije are its suitability for congregational singing, its deep spirituality (duch), and its great beauty.  The spirit of sung prayer embodied in prostopinije is a precious heritage and possession of the churches which use this form of chant.

See the following pages for more information about prostopinije:

• History of prostopinije
• Styles of singing - how the chant is used in church
• The rhythm of prostopinije
• The prostopinije melodies
• The chant books used for singing prostopinije
• Hints, tips and recommendations for singing prostopinije.

To hear examples of prostopinije, follow the links on the Recorded Music page.

To find out how to use prostopinije in the celebration of the Byzantine Rite liturgy, see Singing the Services.

To learn about other forms of liturgical chant and how they related to prostopinije, see Other chant systems.

Recommended Reading

• "Prostopinije" - The liturgical chant according to the Carpatho-Ruthenian Tradition. Byzantine Leaflet Series, No. 23. (Pittsburgh: Byzantine Seminary Press, 1981).
• Roccasalvo, (Sister) Joan L. The Plainchant Tradition of Southwest Rus' (Boulder, CO: East European Monographs, 1986). A book-length study of prostopinije, its history, and the evolution of prostopinije melodies.
• von Gardner, Johann. "Several Observations on Congregational Chanting during the Divine Services" (Liberty, TN: St. John of Kronstadt Press, n.d.). Two articles, originally published in 1969, which describe the congregational singing of prostopinije in Carpatho-Russia between the First and Second World Wars, based on von Gardner's own recollections.