| Romanos the Melodist's Kontakion | |
|---|---|
| |
|
Origin |
Romanos the Melodist |
|
Type |
Scroll stick |
|
Effects |
Grants epiphany for inspiration |
|
Downsides |
Narcoleptic fits |
|
Activation |
Religious chanting |
|
Collected by |
Warehouse 5 |
|
Section |
|
|
Aisle |
398446-2800 |
|
Shelf |
409149-8424-297 |
|
Date of Collection |
582 AD |
| [Source] | |
Origin[]
Romanos the Melodist was a Byzantine hymnographer and composer who is a central early figure in the history of Byzantine music. He flourished during the sixth century, though the earliest manuscripts of his works are dated centuries after this. He was the foremost Kontakion composer of his time. He is said to have composed more than 1,000 hymns or kontakia celebrating various festivals of the clerical year, the lives of the saints and other sacred subjects. His Kontakion of the Nativity is still considered to be his masterpiece, and up until the twelfth century it was sung every year at the imperial banquet on that feast by the joint choirs of Hagia Sophia and of the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople.
Legend[]
Romanus was not at first considered a talented reader or singer. Once, around the year 518 during the All-Night Vigil for the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, he was assigned to read the kathisma verses from the Psalter. He read so poorly that another reader had to take his place. Some of the lesser clergy ridiculed Romanus for this, and being humiliated he sat down in one of the choir stalls. Overcome by weariness and sorrow, he soon fell asleep. As he slept, the Theotokos (Mother of God) appeared to him with a scroll in her hand. She commanded him to eat the scroll, and as soon as he did so, he awoke.
He immediately received a blessing from the Patriarch, mounted the pulpit, and chanted impromptu his famous Kontakion of the Nativity. The emperor, patriarch, clergy, and entire congregation were amazed at both the hymn and Romanos' clear, sonorous voice as he sang. According to tradition, this was the very first kontakion ever sung. The Greek word "kontakion" (κοντάκιον) refers to the shaft on which a scroll is wound, hence the significance of the Theotokos' command for him to swallow a scroll, indicating that his compositions were by divine inspiration.
Effects[]
Grants moments of clarity and sudden insight that jumpstart intense creativity. Allows the user to link together disparate ideas into something fundamentally new, inspiring awe in others from the sheer scope of their concepts. Makes user contract narcolepsy, intermittently falling asleep at random intervals. Can even cause fainting and lack of consciousness if applied too greatly.