Mr Basilios Psilacos

After completing his Bachelor of Theology at St Andrew's in 1993, Basilios Psilacos continued his studies at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece), from 1995-2000, where he received his Masters of Theology (Hons). The topic of his master’s dissertation was: “Τό Ασματικό Τυπικό στη μουσική χειρόγραφη παράδοση” (The Asmatic Ordo in the musical manuscript tradition), under the supervision of the late Liturgics Professor Ioannis Foundoulis. Whilst in Thessaloniki, he also successfully completed a Bachelor of Byzantine Music at the School of Byzantine Music of the Holy Metropolis of Thessaloniki, and a Graduate Diploma of Byzantine Music at the Musical Conservatorium AMO ‘The Galaxy’.

His interest in the art of Byzantine Music began from an early age. His first Byzantine Music Teacher was Archon Protopsaltis Mr Ilias Fraggoulis (Adelaide). Whilst undertaking his undergraduate studies in Sydney, he was further immersed in the art of Byzantine music by the late Archon Protopsaltis Mr Antonios Aristodemou (+2000). In Thessaloniki, his teacher was the late Archon Music Teacher and Protopsaltis of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Mr Demetrios Sourlantzis (+2006). While in Thessaloniki, he also took part in various Byzantine music choirs (Ioannis Damaskinos, Ioannis Koukouzelis, Aristotle University Byzantine Choir), and chanted for the liturgical services at the Holy Monastery of Vlatathon with the Professor of Byzantine music Mr Antonios Alygizakis. Basilios Psilacos started teaching Byzantine music in 2001, after his return to Australia. He is now the Protopsaltis at the Parish of the Resurrection of our Lord, Kogarah, Sydney.

With a keen interest also in the health sciences, he successfully completed the requirements of the Doctor of Chiropractic degree at Macquarie University, Sydney, graduating in 2010.

Qualifications: MCh (Macquarie 2010), BChSc (Macquarie 2008), MTh(Hons) (Aristotle University Thessaloniki 2000), DipByzMusic (Thessaloniki 1998), BByzMusic (Thessaloniki 1996), BTh (SCD1994)

Email: bpsilacos@sagotc.edu.au

Employment Status: Full Time

Subject Area: Worship, Liturgical Studies, and Byzantine Music.

Books

Learning Greek Orthodox Hymns (Book-CD). Sydney: St Andrew’s Orthodox Press, 2010.

Byzantine Ecclesiastical Music. www.lulu.com: 2010.

Graphic Layout & Production

Phronema (Journal), Sydney: St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College.

DIARY (2012-Current), Sydney: St Andrew’s Orthodox Press.

Participation in Church, Government and Industry Bodies

Teaching Byzantine Music at the Primary School of St Spyridon College, Kingsford NSW.