Archons Lambadarioi of the Great Church of Christ

Today in the Holy Patriarchal Church of St George, the Archon Protopsaltes (Archcantor) is Leonidas Asteris, and the Archon Lambadarios is John Chariatides. The Protopsaltes is the cantor who leads the first choir, the one on the right (south) side of the temple; whereas the Lambadarios is the cantor who leads the second choir who stands on the north side of the temple.

During the centuries, the sacred Patriarchal temple has been the holy Ark and the shield not only of the Orthodox faith, but also of our sacred chanting art. The bright and glorious choir of the great Protopsaltai and the Lambadarioi, who served in it from the Fall of Constantinople until today, have enlightened the musical construction of the Church. Through their melodic voices, their deep art, and their strong personalities, they have praised the greatness of the Creator, and for centuries they have stood as unbreachable and invaluable ramparts of Byzantine music, our all-sacred national heritage.

Standing with awe and honour is due for there men, who set their life to fulfil this sacred duty. For it is through their continuous and unbreakable succession in the Patriarchal Temple, that Byzantine music tradition is brought to us today as an unending and unsetting light, which starting from the depths of time, and which though the centuries from a generation to the next was passed down.

Let's hope that from this chanting tradition, which remains the beacon and the guide of the Orthodox musical worship, there will be further bright and charismatic figures who will enlighten the future for the glory and honour of the all-holy Trinity.

There follows a list of the cantors, who served as Lambadarioi of the Great Church of Christ after the Fall: