Paschal Canon by St John Damascene

Paschal Canon of St John Damascene Hymnography is the best expression of the Orthodox Christian faith and tradition. Central to this hymnographic expression is the Canon. The Paschal (Easter) Canon of St John Damascene is referred to as the ‘Golden Canon’ or the ‘Queen of the Canons’ due to its immense poetical beauty and theological articulation. Every year the Orthodox Christians hear the canon and are called to participate in Christ’s Resurrection. However, what is a Canon? The development and evolution of the Canon is central to the Orthodox liturgical development. St Andrew of Crete introduced it into Greek tradition and St John Damascene further developed it. A Canon is a poetic composition that consists theoretically of nine Odes, based in inspiration on the nine chief Odes, Canticles – eight of the Old Testament and one of the New Testament themes (the last Ode is taken from the Magnificat and Song of Zechariah from the New Testament) – each Ode consisting of a model brief hymn at t