Songs of the Indian Orthodox Church Matrimonial Service
Channel: Eldho Kuriakose
Date: 2023-12-12

The wedding songs of the Indian Orthodox Church present a unique blend of cultures, poetry and spiritual expression. The songs and tunes originated in Syria and convey the vibrant, soulful and playful spirit of courtship and matrimony.  The lyrics were inspired to analogize the relationship between Christ and the Church with that of a husband and wife.

These songs along with the wider Syrian Orthodox faith were brought to the Malabar coast of Kerala over  two millennia of cultural diffusion. The songs found fertile ground in Kerala's open and creative people who accepted all expressions and explorations of divinity and love. The Syrian traditions mixed freely with the local Christian traditions of Kerala and formed the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. 

When Malankara Christians migrated to the United States, they found purpose, continuity and grounding in the richness of the music, prayers and practices of the ancient church. 

In 2001, a few passionate singers and priests got together to bring this treasure to the new generation and a wider audience.