Ethos & Yphos

About Ethos & Yphos

Ethos & Yphos, a branch of SOA Media, is the official podcast of the Sons of Antioch Byzantine Choir. The Sons of Antioch explore the height and the breadth of the Church’s musical tradition, covering topics related to Byzantine chant, composition, typikon, hymnography, and parish ministry. Drawing on connections across the Orthodox world, the choir also invites distinguished guests to offer their expertise on matters of music and music ministry. Through in-depth discussions and interviews, Ethos & Yphos gives a voice to the opportunities and challenges that chanters navigate in the spiritual life of the Church. Whether a seasoned chanter or a curious observer, the Sons of Antioch call on our listeners to engage with the ethos of the psaltic art, leading to a greater enthusiasm and execution of proper yphos and practice at the chant stand and beyond. Listen to Ethos & Yphos on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music and wherever you get your podcasts. Get early access to episodes on the Sons of Antioch Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SonsofAntioch (https://www.patreon.com/SonsofAntioch) Sons of Antioch Website: https://sonsofantioch.us/ (https://sonsofantioch.us/) Sons of Antioch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SonsofAntioch (https://www.youtube.com/@SonsofAntioch) Other links: https://linktr.ee/sonsofantioch (https://linktr.ee/sonsofantioch)

Publisher

Sons of Antioch Media

Category

music · religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

10 Nov 2025

Latest episode

11 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

9 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   11 Aug 2026

   #9 - The Order and Language of Worship w/ Fr. Peter Samore

   In this episode of Ethos & Yphos, we speak with the Rev. Fr. Peter Samore about the responsibility of chanters to understand not only what they are chanting, but why it is appointed within the worship of the Church. This conversation explores the central role of the Typikon in shaping the liturgical services and the importance of forming chanters who are attentive to the structure, theology, and purpose of the hymns they offer. Chanting is not merely the execution of melodies; it requires knowledge of the services, familiarity with the liturgical books, and an understanding of how each hymn functions within the greater whole. Fr. Peter also discusses the vital importance of accurate, dignified, and consistent English translations. When different translations are used across service books and variable hymnography, inconsistencies in language, terminology, and style can disrupt the unity of the services and create practical difficulties for clergy, chanters, and congregations. As part of its ongoing work to promote both quality and uniformity, the Department of Liturgics is moving the translations of the Archdiocese’s variable hymnography to those published by Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Brookline, Massachusetts. Fr. Peter explains the reasoning behind this significant undertaking and how it will help establish greater consistency throughout the worship services of the Archdiocese. The episode also highlights the essential synergy between the Department of Liturgics and the Department of Sacred Music. Through close collaboration between those responsible for the texts, rubrics, translations, and musical settings, the Archdiocese seeks to provide its parishes with service materials that are faithful to the tradition, clear in their presentation, and suitable for dignified liturgical use. Fr. Peter Samore is Director of Communications of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, and manager of the Archdiocese's Online Liturgical Guide. More from Fr. Peter: Biography: https://www.antiochian.org/regulararticle/2147 Fr. Peter's Typicon course: https://www.antiochian.org/regulararticle/2539#:~:text=BYZ%2DMUS%2D(S%2DSpecial)%20101%20Typicon%3A%20Structure%20of%20Liturgical%20Services Online Liturgical Guide: olg.antiochian.org - Email: olg@antiochian.org 🎧 Listen to Ethos & Yphos on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you get your podcasts.🔔 Early access available on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SonsofAntioch 🌐 Sons of Antioch Website: https://sonsofantioch.us/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SonsofAntiochAll links: https://linktr.ee/sonsofantioch #EthosAndYphos #ByzantineChant #SacredMusic #OrthodoxMusic #LiturgicalMusic #OrthodoxChristianity #ChurchMusic #SonsOfAntioch

2. 

   14 Jul 2026

   #8 - From Mount Lebanon to America w/ Patrick Haddad

   In this special episode of Ethos & Yphos, Patrick Haddad, the director of Sons of Antioch, shares the story of his life in Byzantine chant, from his earliest experiences growing up in the Church in Ain Dara, Lebanon, to his years of study, formation, teaching, and service. Patrick reflects on learning chant from a young age, his years with the SEM choir of Mount Lebanon and the Theotokos choir of Beirut, and the teachers, experiences, and traditions that shaped his musical identity. He also discusses his move to the United States, the challenges of adapting to a new environment, and his efforts to teach and cultivate Byzantine chant in America. The conversation then turns to the founding and development of the Sons of Antioch Byzantine Choir: how the choir began, how its mission has evolved, and the milestones that have shaped its work in concerts, recordings, publications, education, and digital media. Patrick also shares an important new chapter in the choir’s history: Sons of Antioch is now a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. He discusses what this means for the choir’s future and how listeners can support its mission through tax-deductible donations at sonsofantioch.us/donate Looking ahead, Patrick reflects on the responsibility of preserving a living tradition while preparing a new generation to receive, serve, and carry it forward. 🎧 Listen to Ethos & Yphos on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you get your podcasts.🔔 Early access available on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SonsofAntioch 🌐 Sons of Antioch Website: https://sonsofantioch.us/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SonsofAntiochAll links: https://linktr.ee/sonsofantioch #EthosAndYphos #ByzantineChant #SacredMusic #OrthodoxMusic #LiturgicalMusic #OrthodoxChristianity #ChurchMusic #SonsOfAntioch

3. 

   9 Jun 2026

   #7 - Petros, Pandekti, and Papa E w/ Kamal Hourani

   Episode 7 of Ethos & Yphos explores what chanters mean when they speak of the "classical Greek repertoire" and examines the development of Byzantine chant compositions in the English language. Joining us for this conversation is Kamal Hourani, chanter, teacher, translator, and, most importantly, member of the Sons of Antioch. Kamal is a graduate of Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and currently serves as a chanter at St. George Orthodox Church in Norwood, Massachusetts. He is also a teacher at the Trisagion School of Byzantine Music and has devoted considerable effort to the translation and metering of liturgical texts from Greek into English. In this episode, we discuss what is meant by the term "Classical Greek Repertoire" and explore its significance from both practical and pedagogical perspectives. We consider its place in contemporary Byzantine music education, how chanters engage with it today, and the role it plays in preserving and transmitting the tradition. We also examine the growth of Byzantine chant compositions in English over the past several decades, discussing the challenges of adapting the tradition to a new language while maintaining its musical ethos. Drawing from his experience as a chanter, teacher, and translator, Kamal offers valuable insights into both the preservation of inherited traditions and the continued development of Byzantine chant for English-speaking Orthodox communities. 🎧 Listen to Ethos & Yphos on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you get your podcasts.🔔 Early access available on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SonsofAntioch 🌐 Sons of Antioch Website: https://sonsofantioch.us/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SonsofAntiochAll links: https://linktr.ee/sonsofantioch #EthosAndYphos #ByzantineChant #SacredMusic #OrthodoxMusic #LiturgicalMusic #OrthodoxChristianity #ChurchMusic #SonsOfAntioch

4. 

   12 May 2026

   #6 - Shaping the Antiochian Chant Tradition w/ Rev Fr. John (Rassem) El Massih

   Episode 6 of Ethos & Yphos features a conversation with Rev. Fr. John (Rassem) El Massih, a priest, teacher, and lifelong servant of Byzantine sacred music. Fr. John currently serves as Proistamenos of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Washington DC. Prior to his priesthood, he was a traveling Deacon for Metropolitan Philip (of Thrice Blessed Memory) and Metropolitan Joseph, where he planted seeds of Byzantine music among the many churches he visited across the country. In this episode, we trace Fr. John's musical journey, with particular focus on his formative studies under the esteemed priest, chanter, and hymnographer, Fr. Nicolas Malek. We also discuss his role in the establishment of the Antiochian Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir, as well as the Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music. Fr. John has played a key role in the advancement of Byzantine chant in America: whether through his teachings, recordings, or compositions, and offers his unique perspective on its development. 🎧 Listen to Ethos & Yphos on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you get your podcasts. 🔔 Early access available on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SonsofAntioch 🌐 Sons of Antioch Website: https://sonsofantioch.us/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SonsofAntioch All links: https://linktr.ee/sonsofantioch More from Fr John: Antiochian Sacred Music Department: https://www.antiochian.org/dashboard?name=Sacred%20Music #EthosAndYphos #ByzantineChant #SacredMusic #OrthodoxMusic #LiturgicalMusic #OrthodoxChristianity #ChurchMusic #SonsOfAntioch

5. 

   10 Mar 2026

   #5 - Voice, Yphos, and Ministry w/ Photini Downie Robinson

   Episode 5 of Ethos & Yphos features a rich and wide-ranging conversation with Photini Downie Robinson, Protopsaltria at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Portland, Oregon, soloist with Cappella Romana, and faculty of the Synaxis of Orthodox Women Byzantine Cantors. As a classically trained vocalist and current student of pastoral theology, Photini brings a uniquely integrated perspective to the practice and theology of Byzantine chant. In this episode, we explore her musical formation, her journey to Orthodoxy through her work with Cappella Romana, the vocal and interpretive dimensions of Byzantine chant, and how her studies in pastoral theology inform her experiences at the analogion. 🎧 Listen to Ethos & Yphos on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you get your podcasts. 🔔 Early access available on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SonsofAntioch 🌐 Sons of Antioch Website: https://sonsofantioch.us/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SonsofAntioch All links: https://linktr.ee/sonsofantioch More from Photini: Hymn of Kassiani, English (Boyer/Lash): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_KRzAQDKOo Yphos Studio: https://www.yphosmusic.com/ The Liturgical Arts Academy (TLAA): https://www.theliturgicalarts.org/chant Axia Women, Part I (2022): https://www.axiawomen.org/wow/photini-downie-robinson Axia Women, Part II (2025): https://www.axiawomen.org/wow/update-photini-downie-robinson-woman-week Ancient Faith Radio, Part I: https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/sacrificeofpraise/a_conversation_with_photini_downie_robinson_part_i/ Ancient Faith Radio, Part II: https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/sacrificeofpraise/a_conversation_with_photini_downie_robinson_part_2/ Bridging the Gap: Connections from the Kliros Keynote Lecture, Society of St Romanos the Melodist, Orthodox Music Masterclass https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAfrJqtU45Y #EthosAndYphos #ByzantineChant #SacredMusic #OrthodoxMusic #CappellaRomana #LiturgicalMusic #OrthodoxChristianity #ChurchMusic #SonsOfAntioch

6. 

   10 Feb 2026

   #4 - Tradition, Education, and the Antiochian Yphos w/ Joseph Yazbeck

   Episode 4 of Ethos & Yphos features a wide-ranging conversation with Joseph Yazbeck, founder of the SEM (School of Ecclesiastical Music) Choir of Mount Lebanon and composer of over 20,000 pages of Byzantine music. As the founder of SEM, Yazbeck has trained generations of chanters and performed in numerous concerts, playing a significant role in the growth and preservation of Byzantine music in Lebanon. In this episode, we explore the founding of SEM, his pedagogical approach, and his monumental compositional project currently underway. The discussion culminates in a particularly poignant reflection on the character, history, and common misconceptions surrounding the Antiochian yphos. 🎧 Listen to Ethos & Yphos on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you get your podcasts. 🔔 Early access available on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/SonsofAntioch 🌐 Sons of AntiochWebsite: https://sonsofantioch.us/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SonsofAntiochAll links: https://linktr.ee/sonsofantioch

7. 

   13 Jan 2026

   #3 - Purpose, Practice, and Psalmody w/ Fr. Panteleimon Papadopoulos

   Episode 3 of Ethos & Yphos features a conversation with Fr. Panteleimon Papadopoulos, a priest, teacher, and lifelong servant of Byzantine sacred music. Fr. Panteleimon currently serves as Proistamenos of Holy Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church in Brookville, New York. Prior to his priesthood, he spent over 20 years as an Archdeacon under both Archbishop Demetrios and Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, where he played a key role in the organization and operation of the Greek Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese School of Byzantine Music. In this episode, we trace Fr. Panteleimon’s musical journey, with particular focus on his formative studies under the late Archon Musikodidaskalos of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Nikolaos Steliaros. We also discuss his role in the establishment of the GOA School of Byzantine Music and GOA Byzantine Choir, his insights into the development of Byzantine chant in English, and his perspective on the future of chanting in America. 🎧 Listen to Ethos & Yphos on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you get your podcasts. 🔔 Early access available on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/SonsofAntioch 🌐 Sons of AntiochWebsite: https://sonsofantioch.us/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SonsofAntiochAll links: https://linktr.ee/sonsofantioch

8. 

   8 Dec 2025

   #2 - The Living Tradition in Beirut w/ Fr. Romanos Joubran

   On Episode 2 of Ethos & Yphos, we are honored to welcome Archpriest Romanos Joubran. Fr. Romanos serves as the Director of the St. Romanos the Melodist Choir of Beirut, the Director of the Byzantine Music School at the Archdiocese of Beirut, and a Professor of Byzantine Music at both the Balamand Seminary and the Lebanese National Conservatory. In this episode, we trace Fr. Romanos’s musical journey—from his early formation under Master Chanter Henry Neaimeh, to his body of compositions, including his notable Divine Liturgy Book. We also explore his leadership of the St. Romanos Byzantine Music School and Choir, his work in developing a formal Byzantine Music curriculum, and his teaching philosophy and approach. 🎧 Listen to Ethos & Yphos on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you get your podcasts. 🔔 Early access available on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/SonsofAntioch 🌐 Sons of AntiochWebsite: https://sonsofantioch.us/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SonsofAntiochAll links: https://linktr.ee/sonsofantioch

9. 

   10 Nov 2025

   #1 - Music Education in the Church with Dn. Greg Abdalah

   On this, the inaugural episode of Ethos & Yphos, we discuss the topic of Music Education in the Church with Deacon Greg Abdalah. Dn. Greg is the Pastoral Assistant at St. George Antiochian Church in Phoenix, AZ, as well as the Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, focusing in youth ministry. In this episode, Dn. Greg explores how we should approach engaging our youth in liturgical practice, music ministry, and the life of the Church. His many years of experience in various roles relating to youth ministry throughout the country offer an expert perspective as we discuss what youth participation can look like in parish liturgical practice. Special thank you to the Warrior Saints Academy https://www.warriorsaints.org/ 🎧 Listen to Ethos & Yphos on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you get your podcasts. 🔔 Early access available on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/SonsofAntioch 🌐 Sons of AntiochWebsite: https://sonsofantioch.us/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SonsofAntiochAll links: https://linktr.ee/sonsofantioch

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

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