KATAVASIA

KATAVASIA (KATABASIA, ‘Song of descension.’ ) – in Greek this word implies the act of “descending” or “coming down.” It is the name given to the hymn that concludes the ode of a Canon. During the singing of the Katavasia the two choirs are to “descend” from their places (the kliros) and assemble in the center of the church. The Katavasia may be the Irmos from another canon, or, as on Pascha, it may be the Irmos of the given ode repeated. These matters are regulated by the Typikon.