Maybe so.. But that does not change the fact that the eastern Orthodox churches where started and are based in places like istambul Moscow Addis Abeba and Alexandria egypt.. And most westerners think of them as being eastern Christian churches..
chanchuinchoy You are so wrong about that. All Christian music, literature and what you call "accessories " is inspired by God and it is all based on the Word of God. Praise and worship of God were around long before Christ and America does not have a monopoly on it. The Word of God does.
Knowledge of the biblical period is mostly from literary references in the
Bible and post-biblical sources. Religion and music historian Herbert Lockyer, Jr. writes that "music, both vocal and instrumental, was well cultivated among the
Hebrews, the
New Testament Christians, and the
Christian church through the centuries."
[1] He adds that "a look at the
Old Testament reveals how God's ancient people were devoted to the study and practice of music, which holds a unique place in the historical and prophetic books, as well as the Psalter."
The music of religious ritual was first used by
King David: according to the
Larousse Encyclopedia of Music, he is credited with confirming the men of the
Tribe of Levi as the "custodians of the music of the divine service".
[2] Historian Irene Hesk notes that of the thirty-nine books of the
Old Testament, the 150 Psalms in the
Book of Psalms ascribed to King David, have served as "the bedrock of Judeo-Christian hymnology," concluding that "no other poetry has been set to music more often in
Western civilization."
[3]
The study of ancient musical instruments has been practiced for centuries with some researchers studying instruments from
Israel dating to the "biblical period."
[4] Archaeological and written data have demonstrated clearly that music was an integral part of daily life in ancient Israel/Palestine. Figurines and
iconographic depictions show that people played
chordophones and
frame drums, and that the human voice was essential as women and men sang love songs along with laments for the deceased. Data also describes outdoor scenes of music and dancing in sometimes prophetic frenzies, often with carefully orchestrated and choreographed musicians and singers within specially built structures.
[4]:106
According to ancient music historian Theodore Burgh, "If we were able to step into the . . . biblical period, we would find a culture filled with music . . . where people used music in their daily lives."
[4] "Such music was capable of expressing a great variety of moods and feelings or the broadly marked antitheses of joy and sorrow, hope and fear, faith and doubt. In fact, every shade and quality of sentiment are found in the wealth of songs and psalms and in the diverse melodies of the people."