BULGARIAN CHANT

BULGARIAN CHANT – One of the liturgical chants of the Russian Orthodox Church, which came into use in Muscovite Russia in the mid-17th c. Since Bulgarian chant does not have a direct connection with the chant used in the Bulgarian Church, its Bulgarian origin has not been definitely established; it is possible that the term “Bulgarian chant” was first introduced in western Ukrainian chant codices in an effort to give new melodies a mark of legitimacy and canonicity. The melodies of Bulgarian chant are characterized by symmetrical rhythms and phrase structure, a clear sense of tonality, and exact repetitions of melodic phrases.? Bulgarian chant does not contain melodies for all categories of liturgical hymns.