WHY ARE THERE FIFTEEN PSALMS OF ASCENTS?
There are fifteen Psalms of Ascents. And there are several very good reasons why there are fifteen of them. Here’s fifteen fun facts about the Psalms of Ascents.
The Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic
THE LORD’S PRAYER IN ARAMAIC
JESUS originally taught the Lord’s prayer in Aramaic. But how did that sound? Can we learn to say it in Aramaic too? Or sing it according to its melody sung in the churches of the east? You can read all about it here…
Whose Son is Messiah ben Joseph?
Whose son is Messiah ben Joseph? If you’ve read my earlier posts, you’ll know that Messiah ben Joseph is the slain messiah of the rabbis. But where does he come from? Or, to put it another way, whose son is Messiah ben Joseph?
Why Do They Sing ‘Abide With Me’ at FA Cup Finals?
You probably know that they sing Abide With Me at every cup FA cup final at Wembley, before the teams appear on the pitch. The band strikes up and the crowd all sing along. But why do they do this? And when did it start?
The Saint John Passion of J.S. Bach
IN HOLY TRINITY, We sing Bach’s Saint John Passion (Johannes-Passion) every other Good Friday, alternating it with Bach’s Saint Matthew Passion. Bach wrote the Saint John Passion over the winter of 1723-1724, and it was first performed in Leipzig’s Nikolaikirche on Good Friday 1724.
Johannes Passion Timetable
This is the online rehearsal timetable for Holy Trinity’s Johannes Passion (Saint John Passion). All rehearsals take place in Holy Trinity Pro-Cathedral, Rue Capitaine Crespel 29, 1050 Brussels. Dress code for soli and orchestra is black.
Best-Ever Christmas Carols
Every year, all through the world—from Oslo to Cape Town, from L.A. to Beijing— hundreds of thousands of Christmas Carol services take place. Yet not one of them happens by accident. Behind every one there is a guiding star, someone with the will and the savvy and the energy to draw up a plan, assemble the musicians, and make it happen, someone who works hard to put on best-ever Christmas carols.
Where is the Ark of the Covenant? (No, Really!)
Some people will tell you that the Ark of the Covenant is lost and gone for ever. And, to be sure, over the last two thousand years, many have sought it in vain. Some even claim that it will never be found. Yet it is not so much lost as well hidden. And the place where it lies is not beyond our power to deduce. Want to know more? It’s all here. (But don’t imagine you’ll be able to turn up and see it any time soon.)
Good Friday Bach Passion
Every year, Holy Trinity presents a Good Friday Bach Passion. This takes place during the Good Friday vespers service, just as it was done in Bach’s day. We sing the Johannes-Passion (Saint John Passion) and the great Matthäus-Passion (Saint Matthew Passion) on alternate years.