An outline for a catechetical talk on Á-°By the Waters of BabylonÁ-? is available at:
http://www.orthodox.net/prayers-of-the-church-lenten-prayers_+by-the-waters-of-
babylon_psalm136.pdf
.
The talk given may be heard here:
http://www.orthodox.net/prayers-of-the-church-lenten-
prayers_+by-the-waters-of-babylon_psalm136.mp3
1
Á-°By the Waters of BabylonÁ-? is the entire Psalm 136, sung to a plaintive melody, after the Polyelos Psalm
during Matins. It is only sung in church the three Sundays that precede Great Lent, Sunday of the Prodigal
Son, The Last Judgment (Meatfare) and Forgivensss (Cheesefare) It is significant that this same hymn is
chanted at the beginning of the service of monastic tonsure.
2
This homily was written in 1965, when the church in Russia was still under captivity to the Communist
regime.