By Catherine Tsounis
Byzantine music consists of the songs and hymns from the Byzantine Empire, which spanned parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. The Greek heritage, deeply rooted in this tradition, did not perish with the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Instead, it continues to thrive in the Eastern Orthodox Church, where beautiful Greek hymns are still an integral part of the Greek Orthodox service.
A gifted Byzantine chanter with an operatic voice enhances the Transfiguration of Christ Greek Orthodox Church services in Mattituck, Long Island, every Sunday. “I come from a family of 13 children,” said Constantine Raikos, the church’s chanter. “My father is a Greek Orthodox priest in Greece who taught me Byzantine music. From a young age, I assisted my father during services by chanting. In school, I was a member of my music teacher’s choir. My education includes a Certificate of Completion from the Panarmonio Conservatory in Athens, Greece, under the guidance of Protopsalti George Papanikolaou from Samos, Greece.”
The talented chanter came to America for university studies and continued chanting in local churches. He began chanting with Saint Markella Cathedral in Astoria in 2000-2005. From 2006-2015 he served a chanter at the following New York churches: St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church 2006-2008; St. Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Shrine Church 2009; St. Nektarios Greek Church 2010; Three Hierarchs Greek Church 2010-2012 with Father Eugene; Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church 2012-2015; St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox 2015-2016; Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation 2017-2020; and Transfiguration of Christ Greek Orthodox Church, Mattituck 2020-Present. Additionally, he has Greek School Teacher Experience at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. He served as a Choir Director at Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church & St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Churches.
Panagiotis Raikos is a self-made person. He achieved an American university education, through work in Greek communities. Constantinople and the Eastern Roman Byzantine heritage did not vanish. It is alive in the spirit of persons who are Greek and Eastern Orthodox Christians.
Photos: Panagiotis Raikos
