Romanos the Melodist
Also: Romanus Melodus, Romanos Melodos
Born perhaps between 485 and 495, probably in Emesa (now Homs, Syria). Died perhaps between 555 and 565, probably in Constantinopolis (now Istanbul, Turkey).
A deacon from Syria who came to Constantinople. He wrote the kontakia, long sung sermons, and is the great hymn writer of the Greek church.
Wrote in Greek. A major author.
Places lived
- 515 to 555Constantinopolis (now Istanbul, Turkey)deacon and hymn writeryears not sureBefore that he was a deacon at Berytus. No source gives the years.
Works
1 work, in the order they were written. 0 works can be read here.
- KontakiaSung sermons in verse for the feasts of the year.not yet on the site
How we know the dates and places
- Born not sure
- No ancient source. See Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, 3rd ed. rev. (2005), 'Romanos'.
- Place of birth probable
- Synaxarion of Constantinople, 1 October
- Died not sure
- No ancient source; one hymn speaks of the earthquakes of the 550s
- Place of death probable
- Synaxarion of Constantinople, 1 October (buried in the church in the Kyrou district)
- Constantinopolis, years not sure
- Synaxarion of Constantinople, 1 October (he came in the time of the emperor Anastasius, taken as Anastasius I, 491 to 518)
- Constantinopolis, place sure
- Synaxarion of Constantinople, 1 October (he came in the time of the emperor Anastasius, taken as Anastasius I, 491 to 518)