Hymns of Repentance

Popular Patristics Series #61

by Saint Romanos the Melodist, Andrew Mellas (Translator)

St Romanos the Melodist composed many hymns in Constantinople during the reign of Emperor Justinian, an age of political and cultural transformation, when the synthesis of Christian, Roman, and Greek elements gave birth to a new civilization. Romanos straddled the worlds of antiquity and Byzantium, and his hymns are a unique fusion of classical rhetoric, Syriac poetry, and the theology of the Cappadocian Fathers. Scripture comes to life in his hymns, inviting the faithful to encounter biblical events in their own liturgical experience, where the human-divine encounter was enriched with sacred music and holy ritual, amplifying moments of desire, sadness, and joy.

This volume brings together for the first time a selection of Romanos’ hymns about repentance, featuring the original Greek opposite a new English translation. These hymns, which were sung in church during the Lenten journey to Pascha, explore the story of the prodigal son, the crucifixion of Christ, and other important themes, evoking compunction and its purifying power, and praying to God for his great and abundant mercy.

Andrew Mellas is the author of Liturgy and the Emotions (Cambridge University Press), and the editor of Hymns, Homilies, and Hermeneutics in Byzantium (Brill). The SVS Press audiobook program is sponsored by The Orthodox Vision Foundation.

Genres: Theology, Spirituality

157 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2020

About the author

Notable Syrio-Greek hymnographer, called "the Pindar of rhythmic poetry". He flourished during the sixth century, which is considered to be the "Golden Age" of Byzantine hymnography.

Reviews

[Heinrich DuBose-Schmitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

St Romanos was a prolific hymn-writer in the 6th century yet not a household name. This little volume seeks to introduce us to some of his Lenten work. Romanos takes Bible stories and retells them by weaving themes of repentance and mercy together. The hymns challenge us to reflect on God's mercy and seek him through Jesus.

[Evan Leister · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love digging back into these patristics. This is the first volume that I've read in the series that is about hymns or songs. The forms of the songs are interesting and would clearly sound better in Greek which I do not know. The translator appears to have taken a slightly more "wooden" approach to my eyes but that's not a criticism. I think the content is useful and I'll be passing this on as a gift to a musician friend to see if it sparks any inspiration for how to incorporate these into more "legible" forms for the present.

[Readius Maximus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saint Romanos was given a scroll by the Theotokos to eat and after this he composed the hymns in this book. Some may not believe this but it certainly is true one way or the other for these are such inspired and melodious words. This is a great book to read during the Great Fast.

My only complaint with this book is it's length. I like ordering reasonable sized books and this one was small to begin with before realizing half of it is in Greek, making it even shorter.

The first hymn is on the repentance of Nineveh. They didn't just do asceticism but turned their hearts towards the compassionate One.

The second hymn is on fasting. Adam and Eve fell because they broke their fast by eating of the fruit and losing eternal life. Lent is our time to fast and regain this eternal life.

[Alex of Yoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

As per recommendation: I mean, anything written by a saint has to be good, right? This was no exception. What a perfect Lenten read! I was touched and edified by it this season.

This is a collection of Lenten hymns written by St. Romanos in the early centuries of Christianity. Each hymn corresponds with a week/teaching of Lent and dives into many of the major Lenten themes. It includes a brief introduction to the author by the translator and has the Greek and English texts side-by-side for comparison.

Music and poetry have such a way of speaking to the depths of our hearts. Sometimes profound truths can be communicated through hymns in such a way that philosophical explanations simply can't. This book is definitely one such example of the deep lessons of Lent being expressed in a way that meaningfully touches the reader where pure teaching cannot. I loved how it was organized to correspond with Lent so that it can used as a Lenten devotional (which is how I used it). It really tied together the whole season nicely. I was especially encouraged by the depictions of how Satan and Hades respond to Christ on the Cross. As a convert to Orthodoxy from Protestantism, this poetic interpretation of what Christ accomplished helped me break through some of my confusion. You can feel God's grace emanating from the words, and I was moved to pray along with it. What a gift!

The English translation is very good. It's not a hard read at all, but very beautiful and deep. The Greek is there for the scholarly nerds, but you don't need it to be touched by the text. It's short and can be read easily in a sitting or two, but I highly recommend only reading one hymn at a time as each is different and has so much packed into it for reflection. It includes notations for the different Scripture references St. Romanos makes throughout his hymns (and there are many), making it easy for people unfamiliar with the text to look it up.

While it's definitely accessible to all Christians, I think it'll lose a lot of its significance if read outside of an understanding of Orthodoxy (which is the setting St. Romanos wrote it for). But it's perfect for Lent and helps the reader understand both repentance and God's great mercy. I heartily recommend it! St. Romanos, pray for us!

[Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read. St Romanos' hymns do have some of the clever commentary common to the more poetic Patristic writers which I do appreciate. One of the hymns however certainly is anti-Semitic by modern standards for it has the Jews actively talking with, plotting with and conspiring with Satan against Jesus. That too can be found in some Patristic writers. In and of itself, one can say it is poetic license, but in history it no doubt contributed to anti-Semitism among those who heard the message as it portrays the Jews as not merely doubting Jesus is the Christ, but in fact serving Satan against God.

[Evan Cruse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts were hard because of theological quibbles, but it felt like each hymn got progressively better.

I really enjoyed some of the language surrounding the cross, and the dialogue between the serpent and death.

[w gall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I consider a 4 rating, but as the beauty and sometimes aspects of the meaning become lost in translation, I give it a 5, for the truth of God is proclaimed through these hymns, and the Greek text is provided, a language I do not know, except in snippets.

[Georgio · Rating 5 out of 5]

The hymns translated here are excellent for meditation and prayer, come from a Christian. I personally enjoyed reading and praying with them, and was left in awe of their sheer beauty and the ability to express emotions and personal prayer in a liturgical manner.