antiphona

An antiphon is a short liturgical chant in Christian worship, usually sung as a refrain before and after a psalm, canticle, or other scriptural reading. The antiphon serves to introduce the following text and to provide a thematic frame that reflects the liturgical occasion, season, or feast. In practice, antiphons are often sung antiphonally by two groups, or by choir and congregation.

Etymology and form: the term comes from Latin antiphona, from Greek antiphonía, from elements meaning “against/returning sound.” Antiphons can be fixed texts or variable according to the time of year, and they are typically paired with the psalmody they accompany. The chant is usually notated in an antiphonary, a book that collects the proper antiphons for the hours and Mass parts.

Liturgical use: in Western rites, antiphons are central to the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) and to many Mass propers. They appear as entrance antiphons, psalm antiphons before and after the psalms, and as antiphons for canticles such as the Magnificat. The antiphonary provides the texts and melodic formulas, though some communities use revised or translated forms.

Eastern Christian use: in the Orthodox and other Eastern traditions, antiphonal psalmody also frames the daily offices and liturgical services, with antiphons preceding and following psalms within the service structure.

History and reception: antiphons date from the early Christian era and were elaborated in the medieval chant tradition, notably in Gregorian chant. They remain in use in many Christian communities today, preserving a framework for psalmody and liturgical season.

See also: antiphon, antiphonary, Gregorian chant.