November 1, 2020

Kratima Dedicated to Fr. John Romanides on the Anniversary of His Repose

 

 
Fr. John S. Romanides, among the greatest and most influential Orthodox theologians and historians of the 20th century, reposed in the Lord on Thursday, November 1, 2001. His funeral took place on Tuesday, November 6, 2001 at the Metropolitan Church of the Annunciation to the Theotokos in Athens.

Being a lover of the Byzantine musical tradition, Fr. John Romanides had a special love for the so-called "kratima". Stamatios-Nikolaos Kissas, President of the Association of Constantinopolitan Friends of Music in Athens at the time of Fr. John's repose wrote in regards to Fr. John's love of the "kratima" as follows: "In every meeting with him he would pressure us that we chant it [the kratima] in various tones in order to please the soul and bring spiritual benefit."

At the funeral service of Fr. John Romanides, the much-beloved and angelic-sounding "kratima" was chanted by the Association of Constantinopolitan Friends of Music in Athens, and it can be heard at the link below.