katabasia
Greek Orthodox music
Quick Summary
In the context of Greek Orthodox music, a katabasia is a specific type of troparion. A troparion is a short hymn or stanza sung during religious services. The term "katabasia" itself comes from the Greek word for "descent." It refers to the practice where the left and right choirs descend from their stalls to sing together in the middle of the church at the end of each ode of the canon during matins. This musical element signifies a communal descent or coming together in worship.12
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