It was developed during the Byzantine Empire as a monophonic melodic art with the main purpose of liturgical use in divine worship.

The founders of Byzantine music are considered to be Saint Romanos the Melodist (6th century) and Saint John Damascene (8th century), who systematized the octave. Great melurgists such as John Koukouzelis (13th-14th centuries), Manuel Chrysaphis and Peter of Peloponnese enriched the melodic repertoire.

In modern times, Thrasybulos Stanitsas, Simon Karas and Lycurgos Angelopoulos contributed to the preservation and revival of authentic Byzantine chant. Choruses of cantors such as the Greek Byzantine Chorus and the Greek Byzantine Choir have spread this valuable musical tradition internationally.