Our children need more love and protection today than ever before. Orthodox vocalist Charissa Gianos has provided the perfect way for Orthodox Christians to pray for our children and to celebrate the Mother of God. In this interview with Orthodox Biz, Charissa talks about her new CD project, a first ever recording of the Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children

OB: You just did a recording of the Akathist Hymn. What is the Akathist Hymn, and why did you choose to record it?

Charissa: An Akathist is a hymn dedicated to Christ, Panayia, various saints, angels, etc. The word “akathist” means “not sitting”. They are incredibly beautiful services, done in Church but also many people will chant them at home as part of their daily prayers, or if pressed for time, will chant along with a CD in their car. I was actually asked to record this particular Akathist, which is entitled “Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children” by my spiritual father and his wife, Reverend Demetrius Nicoloudakis and Presvytera Despina.

OB: Historically, Akathists have been often written at times of great challenges. Given our situation today, what do you think the Akathist has to say to modern Americans?

OB: Tell us a little about your background, and how this CD project came together for you.

Charissa: I grew up a cradle Greek Orthodox at the Assumption of the Theotokos Cathedral in Denver, Colorado. My family has always been quite musical and I studied voice for two years at the age of 9 with a teacher who was an opera star from Poland. I also studied voice in my twenties for two years with Renee Root, a Greek Orthodox opera star herself, who is now the Choir Director in West Virginia. I was always active in Junior and Senior Choir at Church, as well as choir at school, and I continue to sing in the Senior Choir to this day under the direction of Dr. James Maniatis. This project came together for me at the request of Fr. Demetrius and Presvytera Despi, who are incredibly wonderful and have always inspired me in their walk with the Lord. It was actually at our daughter’s baptism four years ago that Presvytera Despi presented me with the Akathist booklet and told me to record it. She and Father had discussed it and felt strongly it was something from the Lord. That actually meant so much to me that they asked, because my daughter truly is a gift from Panayia Herself. We had prayed to have another child after our son, Niko was a toddler, and after a service in Church in front of a special icon of Panayia, we knew our daughter was Her gift. Hence her middle name is Maria. So it was with great pleasure that I began researching to find music for this Akathist, of which there was none written, and this is truly a compilation of our Proistameno, Fr. Apostolos Hill, myself and our Protopsalti, Michael Stefanoudakis, who really put this together. I am so grateful to them!

OB: Marketing an Orthodox CD must be challenging. Can you tell us how you plan to get your CD launched in the marketplace?

Charissa: So far, the means for my marketing is a flyer that I have designed, with Fr. Apostolos’ approval, and I have emailed that flyer to a large amount of churches across the country thus far, and so have begun my endeavors, thanks to the Lord! I am continuing to promote it this way, along with phone calls to various parishes that do not have email. The President of the National Choir Federation also received the flyer and emailed it to her entire server list of over 1300 people, which has been great exposure. I will also be doing an interview shortly with Fr. Chris Metropulos who founded “Come Receive the Light”, a very successful Orthodox radio broadcast program. The interview should be aired in the next few weeks and I am excited about that.

OB: Some of your sample MP3’s feature your children. Did they help you with the project?

Charissa: My children are gifts from God and I absolutely adore them! Niko, who is 10 and Christiana, who is 4, were very excited about the CD and couldn’t wait to help. Being that the CD is about children, what other way to glorify God than to have their sweet, innocent voices singing to Him and His most holy Mother? Niko is so excited about the CD that he has taken it upon himself to “work” in our church bookstore every Sunday so that he can promote it!

OB: What other projects are you planning?

Charissa: Currently, I have been approached to record the Lamentations Service in both English and Greek in its entirety, and also to do a series of Akathist Hymns. There are so many written! So in essence, I will probably start with another Akathist project soon – as to which one, that is God’s will. His timing is always perfect!

About the CD

The CD is available from Conciliar Press. Click here for more information.

This Akathtist is dedicated to the Mother of God and is specifically for parents and also godparents/caregivers asking for Her intercession for their children. The Akathist, available in booklet form, was written by the nuns at St. Paisius Serbian Orthodox Monastery in Safford, Arizona. This new CD can be purchased as a companion to the booklet or separately.

The music is Byzantine chant sung in English by Charissa Gianos and Reverend Economos Apostolos Hill, Proistamenos . Fr. Hill, Dean of the Assumption of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Denver, Colorado is highly regarded in Byzantine Chant. He has recorded three additional CDs which have received outstanding reviews. Charissa Gianos, a long-standing member and frequent soloist with the Denver Cathedral Choir directed by Dr. James Maniatis, has recorded with Fr. Hill on each of his CDs, as well as on several CDs recorded by the Choir. This CD owes much gratitude to Michael Stefanoudakis, Protopsaltis of the Assumption Cathedral in Denver, who with his insightful guidance oversaw the entire project. His gift of Byzantine chant is exceptional and he recites and chants on the CD as well.

The CD is a compilation of several Ikoi and Kontakia from the booklet, and Katavasies hymns from the Feast Day of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, celebrated on February 2nd. It will be released in time for this special Feast Day, coinciding with Godparent Sunday. This compilation makes a wonderful gift for the children, grandchildren, godchildren, nieces and nephews and all the special children in your lives.

CDs are $16.00 each, plus shipping, handling (and taxes in Colorado.)

Click here to contact Charissa Gianos for more information!

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 [New CD Features First Recording of Akathist Hymn]

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