Imagine being in a dimly-lit room with over 2,000 people from all over the world each holding a candle, singing hauntingly beautiful chants in worship to God as scripture is sung and read over top of the heavenly song.

Taize is one of my favorite styles of worship.

Taize is a community in Burgundy, France which was started by Frere Roger in the 1940's. It was founded as a place to house refugees of war and violence, particularly (but not limited to) Jews during WWII. Brother Roger wanted to create a community where people lived together and practiced the Christian faith in community while being a sanctuary for those who were suffering in the world. Sadly, Brother Roger was assassinated in 2005. However, the Taize movement continues to grow internationally.

Currently Taize, in France, is a robust monastic community and place of spiritual retreat for people from all over the world. There are over 2,000 people who come and worship in the monastic style everyday. The most unique quality of a Taize service is found in the prayer chants. Everyone sings together, chanting the same prayer for extended periods of time. While everyone is singing, a cantor will sing words of scripture over everyone in the community.

Taize is holy. Once you sing a Taize chant it will become part of you. It will be a constant prayer in your heart. I highly recommend you visit Youtube or Spotify to look up Taize chants and listen to some of the songs. They are awesome. You can also find Taize style services in the United States in your area.

Here is a short video to give you an audio/visual experience of Taize.

Burgundy's Taize community, founded in 1940, welcomes visitors who'd like to spend a few days getting close to God through meditation, singing and simple living. At any given time there are several thousand here from about a hundred countries, enjoying a week-long retreat.

Tesia Mallory is the Worship Arts Director at Concord United Methodist Church in Englewood, OH. She is also the Chapel Coordinator at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH, where she is currently earning her Masters of Divinity. She hopes to be… — Tesia Mallory is the Worship Arts Director at Concord United Methodist Church in Englewood, OH. She is also the Chapel Coordinator at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH, where she is currently earning her Masters of Divinity. She hopes to be ordained as a Deacon in the U.M.C. one day and in her free time just likes to sing, play guitar, write music, and dream up elaborate plans on how to survive if one day gravity decided to shift in the opposite direction.