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| St. Romanos the Melodist (Feast Day - October 1) |
On this day we commemorate our Venerable Father Romanos, Poet of the Kontakia.
Verses
Before Romanos sang hymns to God the Word,
Now also he sings hymns, but together with the Angels.
Our Holy Father Romanos was from Syria, having as his homeland the city of Emesa, which today is called Homs in Turkish. He was anointed Deacon of the Church of Berytus, which is now called Beirut. From there he went to Constantinople during the reign of Emperor Anastasios in the year 496. There he employed himself at the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos, known as that of Kyrou, with every form of reverence and solemnity.
Many times he would keep vigil at the Church of the same Theotokos known as Blachernae, and he would return to the Church of the same Theotokos in Kyrou. There also, namely at the Church in Kyrou, where the Saint was employed, he received the gift of composing and putting into melody the Kontakia of the entire year. For the Lady Theotokos appeared to him in a dream, and gave him a volume of a scroll, which she commanded him to eat. When the Saint opened his mouth, it appeared that he swallowed it. Awakened out of sleep, he went up to the ambon, and began to chant: "Today the Virgin gives birth to Him Who is beyond substance." It happened at that time to be the feast of the Nativity of Christ. Having written such poetry for the rest of the feasts, as well as for the Saints, numbering over a thousand Kontakia, and having passed his life reverently and venerably, he departed to the Lord.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Thou didst gladden Christ's Church by thy melodies, like an inspired heavenly trumpet. For thou wast enlightened by the Mother of God, and didst shine on the world as God's poet. We lovingly honour thee, O Venerable Romanos.
Kontakion in Plagal of the Fourth Tone
From thy childhood divine virtues and gifts of the Spirit were bestowed on thee, O wise Romanos. Thou wast a precious adornment of the Church with thy beautiful chanting, O blessed one. We entreat thee to grant us thy divine gift that we may cry to thee: Rejoice, O most blessed Father, comeliness of the Church.
