Q: Why Do the Orthodox not Use Musical Instruments in
Worship?
A: While there are parishes throughout the U.S.
that have organs and use organs, traditionally, Orthodox Christian worship uses
only the human voice (the greatest musical instrument given to humanity by
God). In part, this is to manifest Psalm 150:6, “Let everything that has breath
praise the Lord.”
There is
a practical reason for this as well. Byzantine Chant (the style of music
traditionally used by the Orthodox Church) takes full advantage of the human
voice and uses several musical scales that have micro-tones (as opposed to full
and half-tones). Though it is possible to use these same scales on some
instruments, it isn’t with many. Thus, it is most practical to stick with the
instrument the music was written for — the human voice.
Perhaps
more to the point is the fact that the Apostles and early Churches did not use
instruments in worship, and indeed emphasized this “absence” as being
significant, even normative:
Clement of Alexandria: “Leave the pipe to the
shepherd, the flute to the men who are in fear of gods and are intent on their
idol-worshipping. Such musical instruments must be excluded from our wineless
feasts, for they are more suited for beasts and for the class of men that is
least capable of reason than for men… In general, we must completely eliminate
every such base sight or sound – in a word, everything immodest that strikes
the senses (for this is an abuse of the senses) – if we would avoid pleasures
that merely fascinate the eye or ear, and emasculate.”
Eusebius: “Of old at the time those of the
circumcision were worshipping with symbols and types it was not inappropriate
to send up hymns to God with the psalterion and cithara and to do this on
Sabbath days… We render our hymn with a living psalterion and a living cithara
with spiritual songs. The unison voices of Christians would be more acceptable
to God than any musical instrument. Accordingly in all the churches of God,
united in soul and attitude, with one mind and in agreement of faith and piety
we send up a unison melody in the words of the Psalms.” (Commentary on Psalms
91)
Source: https://www.orthodoxanswers.org/why-do-the-orthodox-not-use-musical-instruments-in-worship/
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