Saint Romanos the Melodist – The Hymnographer of the Virgin Mary

Life of Saint Romanos

Saint Romanos the Melodist lived in the 6th century A.D. and came from Syria, probably from Haran. He moved to Beirut and then settled in Constantinople, where he became associated with the Great Church and lived as a deacon in the Monastery of the Theotokos "in the Kyros."

He was a simple man, without particular education, but full of humility and zeal for God. According to tradition, he received divine inspiration from the Virgin Mary, who appeared to him in a vision and gave him a scroll to swallow. He then awoke with the gift of hymn writing. This occurred on Christmas Eve, and immediately afterward he chanted his first kontakion: “The Virgin today...”

Saint Romanos is considered the father of the kontakion, a form of liturgical hymn with deep poetic and theological content. Over 1,000 kontakia are attributed to him, many of which are dedicated to the Theotokos (Mother of God).

The Most Famous Kontakion of Saint Romanos to the Virgin Mary:

"To the Champion Leader, we your City dedicate a victory hymn..."

This kontakion serves as the prologue of the Akathist Hymn, which is chanted every Friday during Great Lent in Orthodox churches.

Text:

To the Champion Leader, we your City
dedicate a victory hymn,
as one delivered from terrible things, O Theotokos.
But as you have invincible might,
deliver us from all dangers,
so that we may cry to you: Rejoice, Bride unwedded!

Explanation:

• The City (Constantinople) offers a thanksgiving prayer to the Virgin Mary for deliverance from dangers (usually invasions or wars).

• The Virgin Mary is acknowledged as the "Champion Leader", the defender and commander of Christians.

• Her might is invincible, meaning undefeatable.

• The prayer seeks protection and salvation from all kinds of dangers.

• It ends with the characteristic salutation of the Akathist Hymn:
  “Rejoice, Bride unwedded,” referring to the Virgin Mary who bore Christ while remaining a virgin.

Importance of the Kontakion:

• It has been chanted for over 1,400 years by Orthodox Christians.

• It is a symbol of gratitude and spiritual security.

• It became not only a hymn of the Church but also a hymn of the Greek Nation, especially during times of war and trials.

• To this day, it remains one of the most moving and beloved hymns in Orthodoxy.