T
Thomas48
Guest
Dear Friends,
Though the Churches of St. Thomas do not use the Latin Rite chant “Litany of the Saints”, we do have very similar chants. Perhaps one of the most famous Malankara (West Syriac) chants is a processional hymn called “Swarga Rajye”, which translates to Heavenly King. Swarga Rajye is a chant that starts by honoring Christ and then continues on with numerous primary saints. This hymn is of course not exactly the same as the Litany of the Saints but it serves some what of the same purpose and the diction of the hymn represents the same general connotation. It is interesting to note that after recollecting on each saint, the phrase “Orkanamay Njangalle Ennallum” or “Remember Us Always” is stated, which I find to be very beautiful. The singers of the hymn ask each saint to remember us always and keep us in their prayers. The saints represented in Swarga Rajye after Christ is honored include, St. Mary, St. Joseph, St. John the Baptist, St. Peter the Apostle, St. Paul the Apostle, St. Thomas the Apostle, St. Stephen, St. George, and Mar Gregorius of Parumala (A Malankara Orthodox Saint). It should be noted however that even though these are the saints generally represented, the number and who is honored, can vary from each Malankara Church.
Link to Swarga Rajye-
youtube.com/watch?v=ew2U1iuVcfM
Knanaya Catholics also have a hymn that is similar to a litany, however it is not liturgical but like all other Knanaya songs, a folk song. This song is not used during processions or liturgical celebrations but during Margam Kali which is the traditional dance form of St. Thomas Christians. This litany, is a little different because it mentions only the saints who were the patrons of the major Knanaya Catholic parishes of the time. After representing each saint, the phrase “Nin Sharanam” or “In Your Refuge” is repeated, basically stating that we take refugee in you oh saint. The saints represented in this song include St. Mary repeated multiple times in different honors (Virgin, Queen, Holy) , St. Stephen, St. Thomas the Apostle, St. George repeated, St. John, St. Francis Xavier, and St. Micheal the Archangel.
Link-
youtube.com/watch?v=8gL4FMtlw7c
Though the Churches of St. Thomas do not use the Latin Rite chant “Litany of the Saints”, we do have very similar chants. Perhaps one of the most famous Malankara (West Syriac) chants is a processional hymn called “Swarga Rajye”, which translates to Heavenly King. Swarga Rajye is a chant that starts by honoring Christ and then continues on with numerous primary saints. This hymn is of course not exactly the same as the Litany of the Saints but it serves some what of the same purpose and the diction of the hymn represents the same general connotation. It is interesting to note that after recollecting on each saint, the phrase “Orkanamay Njangalle Ennallum” or “Remember Us Always” is stated, which I find to be very beautiful. The singers of the hymn ask each saint to remember us always and keep us in their prayers. The saints represented in Swarga Rajye after Christ is honored include, St. Mary, St. Joseph, St. John the Baptist, St. Peter the Apostle, St. Paul the Apostle, St. Thomas the Apostle, St. Stephen, St. George, and Mar Gregorius of Parumala (A Malankara Orthodox Saint). It should be noted however that even though these are the saints generally represented, the number and who is honored, can vary from each Malankara Church.
Link to Swarga Rajye-
youtube.com/watch?v=ew2U1iuVcfM
Knanaya Catholics also have a hymn that is similar to a litany, however it is not liturgical but like all other Knanaya songs, a folk song. This song is not used during processions or liturgical celebrations but during Margam Kali which is the traditional dance form of St. Thomas Christians. This litany, is a little different because it mentions only the saints who were the patrons of the major Knanaya Catholic parishes of the time. After representing each saint, the phrase “Nin Sharanam” or “In Your Refuge” is repeated, basically stating that we take refugee in you oh saint. The saints represented in this song include St. Mary repeated multiple times in different honors (Virgin, Queen, Holy) , St. Stephen, St. Thomas the Apostle, St. George repeated, St. John, St. Francis Xavier, and St. Micheal the Archangel.
Link-
youtube.com/watch?v=8gL4FMtlw7c