Armenian chant
Armenian chant (sharakan) is the monophonic chant used in the liturgy of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
It consists mainly of hymns. The chants are grouped in a system of eight modes The oldest hymns were in prose, but later versified hymns, , became more prominent.
Armenian chant is now sung to a precise rhythm, including specific rhythmic patterns which are atypical of plainsong.
The chants used by communities in the Armenian Diaspora are usually harmonized and differ from the original forms. The source of the most traditional music is the liturgies at Echmiadzin, the religious center of Armenia.
Image Armenian cross-stone khachkar at the Yerevan.