• About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Saturday, December 2, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
Orthodox Times (en)
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
No Result
View All Result
Orthodox Times (en)
No Result
View All Result

Memory of Saint Romanos the Melodist

Oct 01, 2022 | 15:20
in Spirituality
Memory of Saint Romanos the Melodist

Saint Romanus the Melodist was born in the fifth century in the Syrian city of Emesa of Jewish parents. After moving to Constantinople, he became a church sacristan in the temple of Hagia Sophia. The monk spent his nights alone at prayer in a field or in the Blachernae church beyond the city.

Saint Romanus was not a talented reader or singer. Once, on the eve of the Nativity of Christ, he read the kathisma verses. He read so poorly that another reader had to take his place. The clergy ridiculed Romanus, which devastated him.

On the day of the Nativity, the Mother of God appeared to the grief-stricken youth in a vision while he was praying before her Kyriotissa icon. She gave him a scroll and commanded him to eat it. Thus was he given the gift of understanding, composition, and hymnography.

That evening at the all-night Vigil Saint Romanus sang, in a wondrous voice, his first Kontakion: “Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent One…” All the hymns of Saint Romanus became known as kontakia, in reference to the Virgin’s scroll. Saint Romanus was also the first to write in the form of the Oikos, which he incorporated into the all-night Vigil at his places of residence (In Greek, “oikos”).

For his zealous service Saint Romanus was ordained as a deacon and became a teacher of song. Until his death, which occurred about the year 556, the hierodeacon Romanus the Melodist composed nearly a thousand hymns, many of which are still used by Christians to glorify the Lord. About eighty survive.

Saint Romanos flourished during the reign of Anastasius (491-518). He was from Emesa of Syria, and apparently was born of Jewish parents, for a hymn written in his honour in Greek says he was “of Hebrew stock,” and it has furthermore been noted that he uses many Semitic idioms in his writings. He was baptized an Orthodox Christian, and at some time became a deacon in the Church of Beirut. He was the first composer of the kontakia, the foremost of which is that of the feast of Christ’s Nativity, On this day the Virgin …. In composing many of his kontakia. Saint Romanos was inspired by the hymns of Saint Ephraim of Syria.

Romanus was born in the Syrian town of Emesa. He was, at first, a sexton in Beirut, and later served in the cathedral church in Constantinople in the time of Patriarch Euthymius (490-504 A.D.). Romanus was not well educated and was untrained in chanting, for which he was ridiculed by some of the more educated clergy. St. Romanus tearfully prayed to the Most-holy Theotokos, and she appeared to him in a dream, gave him a scroll, and told him to swallow it. The following day was the Feast of the Nativity. Romanus took his place as a chanter at the ambo, and with an angelic voice sang the hymn “Today the Virgin….” All were amazed at both the content of this hymn and at the magnificent singing of the chanter. Having received the poetic gift from the Theotokos, Romanus composed over a thousand Kontakia. Romanus entered into rest as a deacon of the Great Church, Hagia Sophia, in Constantinople. He joined the angelic choirs in the year 510 A.D.

Apolytikion of Romanos the Melodist
Plagal of the Fourth Tone
The image of God, was faithfully preserved in you, O Father. For you took up the Cross and followed Christ. By Your actions you taught us to look beyond the flesh for it passes, rather to be concerned about the soul which is immortal. Wherefore, O Holy Romanos, your soul rejoices with the angels.

Kontakion of Romanos the Melodist
Plagal of the Fourth Tone
As a harmonious harp of lofty wisdom from on high and an expounder of things seen in God-inspired ascents, we extol thee, Father Romanos, and we hymn thee. As a trumpet of the gifts that pass the mind of man, do thou rouse us to divine and saving watchfulness, as we cry to thee: Rejoice, O Father elect of God.

Source: oca.org / goarch.org / westserbdio.org

Tags: Spirituality

Follow OrthodoxTimes.com on Google News and learn all the news about Orthodoxy in Greece and worldwide.

All the latest developments in the Orthodox world, society and humankind, at the moment they happen, at OrthodoxTimes.com


Related Posts

Memory of Saint Philaret the Merciful
Spirituality

Memory of Saint Philaret the Merciful

December 1, 2023
Apostle Andrew, the Holy and All-Praised First-Called
Spirituality

Apostle Andrew, the Holy and All-Praised First-Called

November 30, 2023
Monastic Martyr and Confessor Stephen the New
Spirituality

Monastic Martyr and Confessor Stephen the New

November 28, 2023
Memory of Great-Martyr James of Persia
Spirituality

Memory of Great-Martyr James of Persia

November 27, 2023
Memory of Hieromartyr Clement, Pope of Rome
Spirituality

Memory of Hieromartyr Clement, Pope of Rome

November 24, 2023
Memory of Saint Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium
Spirituality

Memory of Saint Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium

November 23, 2023
Load More
Next Post
Archbishop of Australia conducts the consecration of the Katholikon of the Holy Monastery of Saint John in Perth

Archbishop of Australia conducts the consecration of the Katholikon of the Holy Monastery of Saint John in Perth

Latest News

Metropolitan of Princes’ Islands received Archbishop of Crete and Metropolitan of Rethymno

Metropolitan of Princes’ Islands received Archbishop of Crete and Metropolitan of Rethymno

by NewsRoom
Dec 01, 2023 | 21:34
0

Elder Metropolitan Demetrios of Princes' Islands received Archbishop Eugenios of Crete on Friday, extending a warm welcome to the...

Archbishop of Crete visisted Theological School of Chalki

Archbishop of Crete visisted Theological School of Chalki

by NewsRoom
Dec 01, 2023 | 20:56
0

Archbishop Eugenios of Crete paid a visit to the Theological School of Chalki today, Friday, December 1, 2023. Accompanied...

The heartfelt message of Pope Francis to the Ecumenical Patriarch for the feast of Saint Andrew

The heartfelt message of Pope Francis to the Ecumenical Patriarch for the feast of Saint Andrew

by NewsRoom
Dec 01, 2023 | 10:36
0

The message sent by Pope Francis to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for the feast of Saint Andrew was particularly...

Bishop of Meloa at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Bishop of Meloa at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

by NewsRoom
Dec 01, 2023 | 10:07
0

On Monday, November 27, 2023, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America extended a warm and gracious welcome to Bishop Emilianos of...

Netherlands first Romanian parish church listed among the most beautiful places of worship in South Holland

Netherlands first Romanian parish church listed among the most beautiful places of worship in South Holland

by NewsRoom
Dec 01, 2023 | 09:57
0

In the Dutch province of South Holland, the Romanian Orthodox Church of Saint Gregory the Theologian in Schiedam is...

Article in the Guardian about Elpidophoros’ tweet regarding the Parthenon Sculptures

Article in the Guardian about Elpidophoros’ tweet regarding the Parthenon Sculptures

by NewsRoom
Dec 01, 2023 | 09:13
0

The reactions continue regarding the decision of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to cancel his meeting with his Greek...

Newsletter

Sign up for our weekly newsletter



Quick Links

  • Orthodoxy
  • Politics
  • Society
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • History
  • Press Releases

Get Social

About Us

Advertise

Contact

© 2023 OrthodoxTimes.com
digital world media

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Orthodoxy
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Dioceses of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
      • Mount Athos
      • Archdiocese of America
      • Archdiocese of Australia
      • Church of Crete
    • Patriarchates
      • Patriarchate of Alexandria
      • Patriarchate of Antioch
      • Patriarchate of Moscow
      • Patriarchate of Serbia
      • Patriarchate of Romania
      • Patriarchate of Jerusalem
      • Patriarchate of Bulgaria
      • Patriarchate of Georgia
    • Churches
      • Church of Greece
      • Church of Cyprus
      • Church of Poland
      • Church of Albania
      • Church of Czech and Slovakia
      • Church of Ukraine
  • Politics
    • USA
    • Europe
    • Middle East
  • Society
    • Greek Diaspora
    • Culture
  • Spirituality
  • Christianity
  • Opinions
  • Greek Version

© 2023 OrthodoxTimes.com - All rights reserved.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT