ABSTRACT
Orthodox culture finds expression far more openly and concretely not only in philosophy, literature and art, but also in habits of life and forms of community organization—down even to such matters as the peculiarly Orthodox cuisine. Since the Orthodox religion profoundly affects the believer in his practical and intellectual attitudes toward God, his fellowmen and nature, it is obvious that an Orthodox culture must necessarily emerge from the Orthodox faith. Fostered by generous commissions from the emperors and numerous donors, illumination developed into an art of the greatest magnificence throughout the whole territory of the Orthodox Church. The Orthodox Church excluded instrumental music from its observances on dogmatic grounds: Man must not employ lifeless metals and lifeless wood to praise God. Orthodox services are marked by an altogether extraordinary amount of music, and music of such technical difficulty that it can be handled only by trained choirs.
