The idea is taken from Monastery Diocese of Fulda or Abbey of Fulda.
The historical location was related to Pecs Cathedral of Hungary.
A neutral view of “St Peter Orseolo” both talented and occasionally “evil”.
This letter also expresses my sorrow toward my own family issues, where Hungary symbolizes my far eastern steppe zones, and political differences symbolize the divergent paths between me and my cousin. The Abbey of Fulda symbolizes the Anglican Communion and all the churches I have been to, including the St. Stephen of Hungary Church community, which is now forced to merge with other communities.
The letter is from a random imaginary monk called Attila Von Nagykun (me) who fled from a chaotic war time during the rule of Peter of Hungary, moved to Germany, and settled in a Cathedral called Abbey of Fulda. Attila is writing a letter to his cousin Erszebet Nadasdy, who is a church goer live near Pecs Cathedral of Hungary. I actually support Hungarian interpretations of history in many ways, however, this letter is for a music history class project, so I come up with this idea of presenting my thoughts.
Here is the letter:
Dear Erszebet,
I send you the warmest blessings from the Abbey of Fulda. I pray that you are doing well and steadfast in faith among the Pecs Cathedral communities. I am now at the Cathedral of the Abbey of Fulda. When the bells ring, we are called to prayer. The morning begins with Matins (Te Deum), where we gather in the chapel filled with candles. Then we chant the psalms. We have eight services celebrated daily: Matins, Lauds (Benedictus Dominus), Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers (Magnificat), and Compline (Nunc Dimittis). The sacred music connects our community to the Divine, a practice that binds us as cloistered monks and helps our spiritual growth.
The Psalms in the office have two-part verses. Intonation is a rising motive for the beginning of the first verse of the psalm. Tenor is a reciting pitch used for the majority of the syllables. Mediant is a cadence formula for the midpoint of a psalm verse. Termination is a final cadence formula for the end of each psalm verse (variable).
After the morning prayers, I begin transcribing religious texts to preserve the teachings of the Church. I have also heard about Hildegard von Bingen, a mystic woman composer. I think you would admire her if you were here in Germany. Music has developed quite rapidly here. Musicians have invented Tropes, Sequences, and Liturgical dramas.
There are three types of tropes:
Inserting new lyrics and melodies before the chant or between phrases.
Extending melismas, which involves adding melody by elongating existing melismatic passages or creating new ones. This technique enhances the musical texture and emotions of a chant.
Adding prose, or what they call Prosula. Here, additional text is introduced to existing melismas, enriching the texture of the chant.
I find great joy in learning these new techniques from other monks.
My journey to Fulda was not solely to escape the unrest under Peter’s rule but to seek a more harmonious and religious lifestyle dedicated to faith, music, and art. I believe that in this monastery, I can contribute to a more Divine-focused community through music, art, and prayer. I am learning much about the mysticism surrounding the Church and the inclusiveness of God’s compassion. God raised Hildegard von Bingen to inspire the Church community, and these Divine-influenced musical innovations bring internal peace amidst the chaos of our times.
In the afternoons, I sometimes help other monks in our little cloistered garden. We plant various crops and share them with the poor. I hope these plants grow with our music and prayers, spreading God’s love to those in need. Occasionally, I have strange dreams or shamanic visions, which I hope are Divinely inspired. I dreamt of a newborn who will change the Church and bring peace to the world. Her name is also Erzsebet, and she will become a new saint. I hope that by then, our new forms of music, prayers, and good deeds will build a great bridge to end the wars around us. By then, I hope we can meet again as a united community of God, no longer separated by geopolitical strife.
At night, we gather once more for Vespers, where the day ends with chants. The chants fill the air with holy spirits, connecting us not only to each other but to all who sing these sacred melodies around the world. It is a beautiful moment when two or three are gathered together, and the presence of Christ is in our midst.
I long to hear news from you, my dear cousin, and how the Church in Pecs thrives under the grace of God. May Christ and the Virgin Mary watch over you, and may you find solace in the music of a greater connected community of God, though separated by distance.
Yours in Christ,
Attila von Nagykun
