Old Byzantine Cherubic song - John Glika (XIVth century)

One of the Oldest Byzantine Cherubic hymn composed by John Glika, the teacher of Gohn Kukuzelis Sung from the XVth century manuscript Ebe 2406 We who mystically represent the Cherubim, and who sing to the Life-Giving Trinity the thrice-holy hymn, let us now lay aside all earthly cares that we may receive the King of all, escorted invisibly by the angelic orders. Alleluia JOHN GLIKA (mid-13th century - around 1320) - protopsalt, Byzantine melurgist, singing teacher. The melurgist received the nickname Glik (sweet), as researchers believe, for the skill and melody of his compositions (later the melurgist of the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries, Peter Bereket, began to be called the same). The question of the identity of the protopsalt John Glyka and the Patriarch of Constantinople John XIII Glyka (1315–1319) has been repeatedly discussed in the literature. One of the reasons for this identification was the image in the 15th century manuscript. Protopsalt John Glyka in priestly vestments. However, modern research proves that this identification is a consequence of an error made by the copyists of musical codes due to the coincidence of names. Melurgi Master John Kukuzel and Protopsalt Xen Koronis are mentioned as students of John Glyka. In addition, the melurgist Nikolai Klovas was a student of John Glyka. The work of John Glyka falls on the era of calophonic singing, when simple traditional melodies were replaced by bright, expressive chants, performed by a choir of singers and possessing special artistic qualities. John Glicka followed the style of his era, which is reflected in the technique of his compositions. He wrote mainly calophonic works, which, due to their long duration, are not currently performed during divine services. The chants of John Glyka are contained in many ancient manuscripts, for example in “Akoluthia” and other manuscripts of the 14th–15th centuries, and even more often in later sources.