Prayers to Reverend Roman the Sweet Singer

Reverend Roman the Melodist is one of the founders of church singing, a most holy man, thanks to whom Orthodox believers enjoy the most beautiful melodies that accompany every divine service in churches.

From birth, the Lord assigns to a person a heavenly patron and intercessor from among the saints. Reverend Roman is an Orthodox saint who has earned veneration for charitable deeds and the most wonderful support of Christians who turned to him both during his lifetime and near his holy image.

History of the icon

Saint Roman the Melodist was born in Syria in 490. Since childhood, his main desire was to live to please the Lord. He kept all the commandments of God, daily offering up prayers to the saints. The saint apostatized from everything worldly, desiring to give himself completely to the service of the Lord. Already at a young age in the church of Hagia Sophia, he received a low position of a clergyman. The young acolyte worked hard and helped in the temple, winning the love of parishioners and local clergy.

Other ministers of the church envied the special position of the young man. As punishment, they ridiculed Roman at one of the Christmas services, pushing him into the center of the temple and forcing him to sing. On that day, many important and respected people gathered for worship at the Church of St. Sophia. Among them was the Byzantine emperor himself and the chief patriarch. Roman's honor was tarnished: trying to sing in a hoarse voice, he only caused the audience to laugh.

After long prayers of the young man, the Mother of God descended from heaven. She handed him a folded parchment, ordering him to eat it. The young clergyman did as the Blessed Virgin told him, and immediately a divine miracle happened. The monk became the owner of a wonderful voice and hearing, and at the same time the Queen of Heaven gave him a talent for writing church songs.

At the next service, Roman sang in front of all the visitors of the temple, striking them with the beauty of his voice. From that time on, he was called the "Sweet Singer". The young acolyte did not hide the reason for the sudden appearance of talent. He spoke about the gift of the Blessed Virgin. All those who wished evil on the young man repented and asked for forgiveness for their bad deeds. The patriarch conferred the rank of deacon on Roman the Melodist. Since then, the church chorister began to write the most beautiful songs for worship, after which he personally performed them in the temple. Many people came to the church to hear the divine voice of the young man. Roman received the respect and love of the inhabitants. He taught other people to sing, organized church choirs. Gradually, his songs began to be sung in many temples of the city.

Where is the image of the Monk Roman

Reverend Roman the Melodist made an enormous contribution to church chanting, giving it a special melody and harmony. For his labors and fidelity to the Lord, he was canonized as a saint, and an icon was painted in his honor. Currently, his songs and prayers are read in every church.

The holy image of St. Roman the Melodist adorns many churches in our country. Special reverence is given to the icon of the Righteous in the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin in St. Petersburg. Every year on October 14, a service is held in the church in memory of St. Roman. Also, two churches were erected in honor of the martyr: the Church of Roman the Melodist in St. Petersburg and in Moscow, on the territory of the Transfiguration Cathedral at the Novo-Spassky Monastery.

Description of the icon

There are various icons with the face of St. Roman. Very often, the image of a martyr is depicted on a shrine in honor of the Intercession of the Virgin. On it, icon painters depict the saint in the center, in the robes of a monk. There are also independent icons, where the Reverend is depicted in full growth, and in his hands he holds a scroll, which is a symbol of his divine talent and church activity.

How does Reverend Roman the Melodist help?

Before the holy image of the martyr, they pray with requests for help in the art of chanting.
The saint also helps and supports people engaged in creative activities. This is especially true for music and poetry. Orthodox people turn to Roman with requests for help in the spiritual understanding of the Holy Book.

Roman the Sweet Singer protects from envious people, helps to find true friends, protects houses from enemies, gives confidence in one's strengths and abilities and supports in difficult moments of life. The monk is also the patron and intercessor of men who bear the name Roman.

Days of celebration

Orthodox believers pay tribute to St. Roman on the day when they celebrate the great feast of the Intercession of the Virgin. The date falls on October 14 (October 1, old style).

Prayer to Roman the Melodist in front of the icon

“Oh, holy martyr Roman! I will not forget your deeds until the end of my life. We always remember about You when we offer prayers to the saints and to the Lord, for we read our prayers from Your words. We remember Your pious deeds! We ask You, Great Righteous One, save us from evil, pray before the Lord for our souls, for our children and do not leave us without help, for our hearts are filled with faith and love for Christ. Do not let us lose heart, save our homes from enemies, protect our souls from the tricks of the devil. Mention our names before the Lord in Heaven and do not stop praying for us. Inspire us, endow us with talent and become a patron in our deeds and undertakings! May our life be righteous, to please our Lord Jesus, for all the glory and praise to Him rises up, all honors and worship. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. From now on and forever and ever. Amen".

Each icon is an invisible connection of a person with the one depicted on the holy image. That is why the prayers addressed to the saints near their miraculous faces have unlimited power and help. We wish you strong faith, be happyand don't forget to press the buttons and

Everyone who happened to attend an Orthodox service drew attention to the extraordinary beauty of church singing. Almost all services performed during the year are accompanied by its sounds. They delight the parishioners with special splendor during the holidays, directing all their thoughts to the heavenly world. One of those who devoted their lives to the creation of these wonderful hymns was the Monk Roman the Melodist, whose memory is celebrated on October 14, in

Childhood and early years of the future saint

Saint Roman, a Greek by origin, was born in 490 in the small Syrian city of Emesa. From an early age, he felt his calling in the service of God and led a pious life, moving away from worldly temptations. Having barely left his teenage years, Roman got a job as a sexton in one of the churches of Berytus - that was the name of the current Beirut in those years, and when the pious emperor Anastasius I ascended the Byzantine throne, he moved to Constantinople and began to serve in the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos.

And here, in the capital of Orthodox Byzantium, the future Saint Roman the Melodist became famous for his exceptional piety. His life fully paints for us a picture of the constant spiritual feat performed by a young man. All his days were filled with fasting, prayers and contemplation. Such zeal to serve the Lord did not go unnoticed, and soon Roman the Melodist was accepted as a sexton in the church of Hagia Sophia, the world center of Orthodoxy in those years.

The intrigues of envious people

Not taught to read and write from childhood and deprived of the opportunity to read, Roman nevertheless surpassed many scribes in his charitable deeds. For this, he won the love of Patriarch Efimy, a man of high spiritual qualities, who became his mentor and patron. However, such an arrangement of the primate of the church aroused the envy of many clerics, who saw the patriarchal favorite in the young sexton.

It is known that envy often pushes people to mean deeds. This applies equally to the laity and to the clergy. So many of the clergy of Constantinople grumbled at the patriarch and tried to plot all sorts of intrigues for Roman in order to humiliate him in the eyes of the primate of the church. Once they succeeded.

Confusion during the holiday

Once, on the feast of the Nativity of Christ, the emperor personally and his entourage were present in the temple. The service was conducted very solemnly, and everything was filled with proper magnificence. Roman the Melodist, as he should have been in his modest position, was busy placing lamps in the temple. The cunning clerics forced him to go to the pulpit and sing from it a song of praise to God, which was not part of his duties at all.

They did this out of deceit: Roman, not possessing at that time either the hearing or the voice necessary for singing, was bound to be disgraced. And so it happened. Having become a universal laughingstock and endured humiliation, the young man, falling before the image of the Most Holy Theotokos, prayed and wept bitterly from resentment and despair. Returning home and not even having tasted food, Roman fell asleep, and in a subtle dream the Queen of Heaven herself appeared to him and, holding out a small scroll, ordered him to open his mouth. When he did this, the Blessed Virgin put a scroll into them and commanded them to eat it.

Great gift of the Virgin

Having swallowed the charter, the future saint woke up, but the Mother of God had already left him. Still not fully realizing what had happened, Roman suddenly felt in himself the understanding of the Teachings of God. This happened because the Blessed Virgin opened his mind to the knowledge of the wisdom contained in the Holy Scriptures, as Christ once did to his disciples. Until recently, tormented by resentment and humiliation, now in tears he thanked the Queen of Heaven for the knowledge that she bestowed on him in the twinkling of an eye.

Having waited for the hour when, during the all-night vigil, a festive chant was to be sung, Roman the Melodist already of his own free will went up to the pulpit and sang the kontakion composed by himself in such a marvelous voice that everyone in the church froze in amazement, and when they came to their senses, they came to indescribable delight. It was a kontakion performed to this day in Orthodox churches in honor of the Great Feast of the Nativity of Christ.

The shame of the envious and the grace of the patriarch

Patriarch Anastassy I, who was present in the church, marveled at this miracle. When asked how Roman knew this marvelous hymn and how he was suddenly able to acquire the gift of performing it, the sexton did not hide what had happened to him, but publicly told about the appearance of the Queen of Heaven to him and the grace shed upon him.

St. Roman the Melodist spoke about everything without concealment. The life of this saint of God tells that, having heard his words, all those who had recently plotted against him were ashamed of their deeds. They repented and asked for his forgiveness. The patriarch immediately elevated him to the rank of deacon, and since then Roman the Melodist has generously shared the wisdom of the book bestowed on him with everyone who came to the temple. It was Anastasius I who called Saint Roman the Melodist. With this name, he entered the history of the Christian church.

The pedagogical and composing activities of the saint

Deacon Roman, surrounded by universal love, began to teach singing to everyone, selecting among them the most gifted. Using the gift given to him from above, he was engaged in serious work on the organization of church choirs in Constantinople and was very successful in this field. Thanks to his efforts, it acquired unprecedented splendor and harmony.

In addition, St. Roman the Melodist became famous as the author of many liturgical hymns. He owns more than a thousand hymns and prayers, sung for many centuries. Nowadays, not a single Orthodox holiday is complete without the performance of his works. The Akathist to the Annunciation of the Mother of God, written by him, gained particular fame. It is performed annually during Lent. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that it was a model on the basis of which akathists were written in all subsequent centuries.

The poetic gift of St. Roman

In addition to composing, St. Roman the Melodist went down in history thanks to another side of his work - poetic. The texts of all his works were written in Greek and are known to us only in Slavic translation. Many researchers who have studied their originals and testify that they were written in a rare meter, known as tonic, agree that it is to St. Roman that world literature owes the preservation and dissemination of this unique poetic form.

Large in volume and invaluable in content, the musical and poetic heritage of Roman the Melodist is known to us largely thanks to the works of the German Byzantine historian Karl Krumbacher, who published a complete collection of his hymns at the end of the 19th century. According to the scientist, the works of Roman in terms of poetic power, the depth of feelings inherent in them and spirituality are in many ways superior to the works of other Greek authors.

The end of the life of Saint Roman

Roman the Melodist passed away from earthly life in 556. Shortly before his blissful death, he took the monastic vows and became a monk of the monastery of Avassa, not far from Constantinople. There he spent his last days. The universal church appreciated his charitable life and the rich musical and poetic heritage that he left behind. By the decision of one of the Councils, he was ranked among the akathist Roman the Melodist and one of the first editions of his life was written.

Church at the conservatory

A kind of monument to the famous poet and composer is the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin at the St. Petersburg State Conservatory. It is here that the memory of this saint and the Day of Roman the Melodist are honored with special warmth: it is celebrated as a professional holiday. There is nothing surprising in this, because the people who gathered within the walls of the conservatory received from God the same musical gift that the author of hymns that came to us from the 6th century. For all students and teachers, the heavenly patron is Roman Sladkopevets. The icon, on which his holy image is presented, enjoys special reverence here.

Throughout his life, the holy Reverend Roman the Melodist set an example of how the Eternal Creator sends down his gifts in response to pure and sincere love for him, how generously he pours out grace on those whose heart is open to him and who are ready to reject earthly vanity, having embarked on the path of high service .

For our readers: a novel of the sweet singer's life with a detailed description from various sources.

Prayer to St. Roman the Melodist

Reverend Father Roman! Look at us mercifully and raise those who are committed to the earth to the heights of heaven. You are grief in heaven, we are on earth below, removed from you, not only by a place, but by our sins and iniquities, but we resort to you and cry out: instruct us to walk in your way, enlighten and guide. Your whole holy life has been a mirror of every virtue. Do not stop, servant of God, crying out to the Lord for us. Ask for your intercession from the All-Merciful God of our peace to His Church, under the sign of the militant cross, consent in faith and single wisdom, superstition and splits, extermination, affirmation in good deeds, healing to the sick, sad consolation, offended intercession, distressed help. Do not shame us, who come to you with faith. All Orthodox Christians, with your miracles performed and graces of blessing, confess thee to be their patron and intercessor. Reveal your ancient mercy, and you helped their father all the way, do not reject us, their children, marching in their steps towards you. Your most honorable icon is coming, as I live for you, we bow down and pray: accept our prayers and offer them on the altar of God's goodness, may we receive grace and timely help in our needs. Strengthen our cowardice and confirm us in the faith, and we certainly hope to receive all that is good from the mercy of the Lord through your prayers. Oh, great servant of God! To all of us, with faith flowing to you, help us with your intercession to the Lord, and rule us all in peace and repentance, end our lives and settle with hope in the blessed bowels of Abraham, where you now joyfully rest in labors and labors, glorifying God with all the saints , in the Trinity of glory, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.

This term has other meanings as well.

Holy Roman

Roman the Sweet Singer(Greek Ρωμανός ὁ Μελωδός) - a Christian saint of the 5th-6th centuries, known as the author of hymns called kontakia (in the early meaning of the term), some of which are still used in the worship of the Orthodox Church (for example, “The Virgin today gives birth to the Most Substantial”; "My soul, my soul, arise"). The Orthodox Church canonized Roman the Melodist as a saint (Comm. 1 (14) October).

Biography

Roman the Melodist was born in the middle of the 5th century into a Greek (possibly also in a Syrian or Jewish) family in the city of Emessa, in Syria and spoke Syriac, was baptized in his youth, deaconated in Beirut, under Emperor Anastasius I Dikor (491-518) arrived in Constantinople, here he entered the clergy of the Church of Our Lady and at first, without standing out in any way, even caused ridicule. He diligently helped at the divine services, although he did not differ in either voice or hearing. However, Patriarch Evfimy loved Roman and even brought him closer to himself for his sincere faith and virtuous life.

The affection of the patriarch towards Saint Roman aroused against him several cathedral clerics, who began to oppress him. At one of the pre-Christmas services, these clergy pushed Roman to the pulpit of the church and forced him to sing. The temple was overflowing with pilgrims, the patriarch himself served in the presence of the emperor and court retinue. Confused and frightened, St. Romanus, with his trembling voice and indistinct singing, was publicly disgraced. Arriving home completely depressed, Saint Roman at night prayed long and intensely before the icon of the Mother of God, pouring out his grief. The Mother of God appeared to him, gave him a paper scroll and ordered him to eat it. And then a miracle happened: Roman received a beautiful, melodic voice and at the same time a poetic gift. In a surge of inspiration, he immediately composed his famous kontakion of the feast of the Nativity of Christ:

“Today the Virgin gives birth to the Most Substantial, and the earth brings a den to the Unapproachable; Angels with shepherds glorify, wise men travel with a star; for us, for the sake of the Young Child, the Eternal God was born.

Beloved by all, Saint Romanus became a teacher of singing in Constantinople and raised high the splendor of Orthodox services. For his poetic gift, he took a place of honor among church hymnographers. More than a thousand prayers and hymns are attributed to him for various holidays. Especially famous is the akathist to the Annunciation of the Mother of God, which is sung on the fifth Saturday of Great Lent. Other akathists were compiled according to his model. Saint Roman died in 556.

In the original Greek, the hymns of Romanus had a special meter, called tonic, which he is considered to be the distributor. The German Byzantinist Krumbacher, who published the complete collection of Roman hymns, admits that in terms of poetic talent, animation, depth of feeling and loftiness of language, he surpasses all other Greek chanters.

Editions

Romane le Melode / Ed. par J. Grosdidier de Matons. Paris, 1964.
Sancti Romani Melodi Cantica / Ed. P. Maas, C.A. trypanis. L., 1960.

Research

Grosdidier de Matons J. Romanos le Melode et les origines de la poesie religieuse a Byzance. P., 1977.

Translations

Russian translations:

Kontakion and ikos of St. Roman the Melodist… / Per. S. Tsvetkova. M., 1881. 201 pages.
Songs of St. Roman the Melodist for Passion Week. / Per. Tsvetkova. M., 1900. 212 pages.
Lamentation of the Most Holy Theotokos at the Cross. M., 1891. 63 pages; M., 1909. 67 pages.
Kontakion or song for the Nativity of Christ. / Per. P. Mironositsky. SPb., 1912. 31 p.
Kontakion or Song for Holy Pascha. / Per. P. Mironositsky. SPb., 1913. 31 p.
Kontakion for a week vay. / Per. P. Mironositsky. SPb., 1914. 24 p.
Kontakion for Holy Pentecost. / Per. P. Mironositsky. SPb., 1914. 24 p.

New translations:

Monuments of Byzantine literature IV-IX centuries. / Rev. ed. L. A. Freiberg. M.: Nauka, 1968. S. 209-214.
To Judas the Betrayer. Hymn. About the monastic life. // From the banks of the Bosporus to the banks of the Euphrates. / Per. and comm. S. S. Averintseva. Moscow: Nauka (GRVL), 1987. 360 pp. 252-262.
Roman Melodist. Kontakion to Joseph the Righteous. / Per. V. V. Vasilika. // Bulletin of ancient history. 2008. No. 4. S. 260-277.

Notes

See: Sancti Romani Melodi Cantica genuina. Ed. by P. Maas and C. A. Trypanis. Oxford, 1963. P. XV-XVI.

Childhood and early years of the future saint

Saint Roman - a Greek by origin - was born in 490 in the small Syrian city of Emesa. From an early age, he felt his calling in the service of God and led a pious life, moving away from worldly temptations. Barely out of his teenage years, Roman got a job as a sexton in one of the churches of Berit - that was the name of the current Beirut in those years, and when the pious emperor Anastasius I ascended the Byzantine throne, he moved to Constantinople and began to serve in the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos.

The intrigues of envious people

Not taught to read and write from childhood and deprived of the opportunity to read spiritual literature, Roman nevertheless surpassed many scribes with his charitable deeds. For this, he won the love of Patriarch Efimy, a man of high spiritual qualities, who became his mentor and patron. However, such an arrangement of the primate of the church aroused the envy of many clerics, who saw the patriarchal favorite in the young sexton.

Confusion during the holiday

Great gift of the Virgin

The shame of the envious and the grace of the patriarch

The pedagogical and composing activities of the saint

The poetic gift of St. Roman

In addition to his composing activity, St. Roman the Melodist went down in history thanks to another side of his work - poetic. The texts of all his works were written in Greek and are known to us only in Slavic translation. Many researchers who have studied their originals and testify that they were written in a rare meter, known as tonic, agree that it is to St. Roman that world literature owes the preservation and dissemination of this unique poetic form.

The end of the life of Saint Roman

Roman the Melodist passed away from earthly life in 556. Shortly before his blissful death, he took the monastic vows and became a monk of the monastery of Avassa, not far from Constantinople. There he spent his last days. The universal church appreciated his charitable life and the rich musical and poetic heritage that he left behind. By the decision of one of the Councils, he was canonized as a saint. An akathist was written to Roman the Melodist and one of the first editions of his life.

Church at the conservatory

A kind of monument to the famous poet and composer is the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin at the St. Petersburg State Conservatory. It is here that the memory of this saint and the Day of Roman the Melodist are honored with special warmth: October 14 is celebrated as a professional holiday. There is nothing surprising in this, because the people who gathered within the walls of the conservatory received from God the same musical gift that the author of hymns that came to us from the 6th century. For all students and teachers, the heavenly patron is Roman Sladkopevets. The icon, on which his holy image is presented, enjoys special reverence here.

There are many ways to praise the Lord. But during worship, many are attracted by the beauty of church singing. In temples, workers who can sing beautifully and know all the subtleties of rituals are usually valued. One of these people was Saint Roman the Melodist, as evidenced by his nickname.

life path

The righteous was born in the 5th century, lived in Syria, but had a Greek origin. When he reached adolescence, he moved to Constantinople, where he entered the temple. Since childhood, he dreamed of devoting himself to the service of the Lord. His faith and zeal did not escape the attention of the patriarch, which aroused the envy of those around him. There was a period when the life of Roman the Melodist was rather difficult.

Some priests began to poison the young man because he was uneducated and also had no talent for singing. This offended Roman very much, but he decided to endure everything patiently in the name of Christ.

One day, during a big festive service, the temple officials pushed a young man out of the altar. He was seized with embarrassment, his voice trembled, he could not solemnly and clearly sing the necessary prayer. Roman the Melodist was very upset, and when he came home, he began to fervently pray to the Most Holy Theotokos.

Finding a Gift

That night a great miracle happened to him. The Virgin Mary herself came down from heaven and gave him a scroll, telling him to swallow it. The icon of Roman the Melodist reflects this moment. He received a gift - a sonorous beautiful voice, as well as the gift of composing church hymns. To do this, it is not enough to have literary talent - one must understand all church dogmas very well. At the same hour, the chanter composed the kontakion of the Nativity, which is still sung by all believers on the festive night.

The next day he sang it in the temple, everyone was amazed. The song was very beautiful and well written. And the performance is divine. Therefore, the young man received the nickname "Sweet Singer". Former enemies who oppressed Roman repented that they treated him badly. The meek young man forgave them.

Roman Sladkopevets wrote more than a thousand troparia, kontakia and akathists.
His performance was an adornment of any service, a modest deacon made a huge contribution to the development of the beauty of Orthodox worship.

veneration

Shortly before his death, God's servant took monastic vows. After his death, he was canonized as a saint. Often a talented minister is depicted together with the Mother of God, surrounded by believers who sing in the temple.

There is also a separate icon of him.

On it is a handsome young man in the garb of a deacon. This is a surplice and an orarion (ribbon thrown over the shoulder).
In his right hand he holds a censer, or it is raised for the sign of the cross.
In the left hand there may be an unfolded scroll, on which the text of the most famous kontakion, composed by the minister, is indicated. Or it may be a rolled scroll; sometimes - an image of a church building (a temple in which the saint served).
There is a very interesting icon on which the Blessed Virgin stands over the sleeping Roman the Melodist. She holds a scroll in her hands, having swallowed it, the saint received his blessed gift.
Also very often the great church author is depicted on the icon of the Intercession.

In Russia, there are several churches consecrated in the name of Roman the Melodist - in St. Petersburg, Nizhnekamsk, etc. There is such a temple in Kyiv.

This saint is especially revered by those who are engaged in church singing or simply musical art. It also helps in other situations:

with the development of the talent of a performer, poet;
when protecting from envy;
when gaining confidence and in other difficult situations.

People named Roman can daily ask for his intercession. You can pray near the icon if there is no temple nearby in the name of this saint.

Prayer to Roman the Melodist

O sacred head, reverend father, most blessed Abbot Roman, do not forget your poor ones to the end, but always remember us in your holy and auspicious prayers to God. Remember your flock, if you yourself saved it, and do not forget to visit your children. Pray for us, holy father, for your spiritual children, as if you have boldness towards the Heavenly King, do not be silent for us to the Lord, and do not despise us, with faith and love, who honor you.

Remember us unworthy at the Throne of the Almighty, and do not stop praying for us to Christ God, for grace has been given to you to pray for us. It’s not imaginary that the creature is dead, but even with the body you have passed away from us, but even after death you are still alive. Do not depart from us in spirit, preserving us from the arrows of the enemy and all the charms of demons and the wiles of the devil, our good shepherd.

Even more, and the relics of your cancer are always visible before our eyes, but your holy soul with angelic armies, with incorporeal faces, with heavenly powers, at the Throne of the Almighty, is worthy of fun.

Leading thee truly and living after death, we fall down and pray to you: pray for us to the Almighty God, for the benefit of our souls, and ask us time for repentance, let us unhinderedly pass from earth to heaven, from bitter ordeals, demons of air princes and let us be delivered from eternal torment, and let us be with all the righteous who have pleased our Lord Jesus Christ from time immemorial, He deserves all glory, honor and worship, with His Beginningless Father and with His Most Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.

Troparion the first to the Monk Roman the Melodist

In you, father, it is known that you have been saved according to the image: we accept the cross, you followed Christ / and, acting, taught you to despise the flesh, it passes away, / lie about the soul of things immortal. // The same and with the Angels will rejoice, Reverend Roman, your spirit.

Roman the Melodist - prayer, icon, troparion was last modified: March 31st, 2018 by admin

Each of us, for sure, was present in an Orthodox church at a divine service and was subdued by the euphony of church hymns ascending to the very dome of the church.

Roman Sladkopevets, whose commemoration day the Orthodox celebrate on October 14, is rightfully considered the creator and patron of the church choir. When reading a prayer to St. Roman the Melodist, one must remember his spiritual contribution to the development of hymns, because it was he who wrote many spiritual songs for worship.

Life of Roman the Melodist

The future Saint was originally from Syria, where he received a spiritual education, since from an early age he felt in himself a desire to serve the Lord God. Later he moved to Constantinople, where he began to serve as a clergyman in the Christian church of Hagia Sophia (5th century). Roman especially liked the festive services, and although he had neither hearing nor voice, he very actively helped in their conduct. For the zeal and efforts of the young man, the Patriarch loved him very much, but the other clergy, seeing his benevolence towards the young man, began to oppress and ridicule Roman. Once he was pushed out during a church service for the parishioners to see and he had to sing. Of course, he was disgraced and ran away from the temple.

He spent the whole night in suffering and fervent prayers before the face of the Mother of God, not knowing that through the centuries people would ask him for creative inspiration, praying to Roman the Melodist for singing.

The Holy Virgin Mary appeared to the zealous young man, holding out a paper scroll and commanding him to eat it. After that, Roman became the owner of a wonderful voice, musical ear and poetic talent. At the next service, he amazed everyone with the chant of his first kontakion, since his voice was beautiful, and his words were wonderful.

How do prayers to St. Roman the Melodist help?

The venerable saint wrote many church works:

church hymns;
strong prayers;
kontakia and akathists.

Today, each of us can offer a prayer to the Reverend Roman the Melodist in order to better understand the Holy Scriptures. .

In the Kiev temple there is a piece of the relics of the Reverend, and it is there that many believers come to pray to Roman the Melodist for gaining wisdom and knowledge.

O great and wonderful Roman, rightfully a sweet singer. We appeal to you, a partaker of heavenly glory and an adornment of angelic faces - cleanse our hearts so that we worthily serve our only Lord. You are aware of the difficulties of the earthly path and already know the rejoicing holy joy of heaven. You know that many of us yearn to serve with all our soul, strength and mind, but our passion-stricken souls drag us to the bottom of a dark abyss.

Don't leave us in the dark. Knowing what we can lose, help us worthily glorify the Lord, His Most Pure Mother and all the saints. Help us to cleanse ourselves of passions, direct our lips, implore the sweetest Lord, may He give us a true understanding of the singing ministry. Let us worthily stand on the one holy heavenly kliros and give glory to our Lord forever and ever.

Prayers to the saint help to develop talents and abilities in oneself, the saint also patronizes men with the name Roman. They ask the Reverend for protection from enemies and envious people, as well as in difficult moments of life.

The text of the prayer to Roman the Melodist

Reverend Father Roman! Look at us mercifully and raise those who are committed to the earth to the heights of heaven. You are grief in heaven, we are on earth below, removed from you, not only by a place, but by our sins and iniquities, but we resort to you and cry out: instruct us to walk in your way, enlighten and guide. Your whole holy life has been a mirror of every virtue. Do not stop, servant of God, crying out to the Lord for us. Ask for your intercession from the All-Merciful God of our peace to His Church, under the sign of the militant cross, consent in faith and single wisdom, superstition and splits, extermination, affirmation in good deeds, healing to the sick, sad consolation, offended intercession, distressed help. Do not shame us, who come to you with faith. All Orthodox Christians, with your miracles performed and graces of blessing, confess thee to be their patron and intercessor. Reveal your ancient mercy, and you helped their father all the way, do not reject us, their children, marching in their steps towards you. Your most honorable icon is coming, as I live for you, we bow down and pray: accept our prayers and offer them on the altar of God's goodness, may we receive grace and timely help in our needs. Strengthen our cowardice and confirm us in the faith, and we certainly hope to receive all that is good from the mercy of the Lord through your prayers. Oh, great servant of God! To all of us, with faith flowing to you, help us with your intercession to the Lord, and rule us all in peace and repentance, end our lives and settle with hope in the blessed bowels of Abraham, where you now joyfully rest in labors and labors, glorifying God with all the saints , in the Trinity of glory, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen

Venerable Roman the Melodist (troparia and kontakion)

Troparion, tone 8

In you, father, you are known to be saved even in the image: / for I accept the cross, you followed Christ / and, acting, taught you to despise the flesh, for it passes away, / lie down about the soul of things immortal. // In the same place, and from the Angels, your spirit rejoices, reverend Romana.

John troparion, tone 3

Jealous of an angel-like life from youth, / having acquired faith, humility and patience, / reverend Romana the Sweet-singer, / you were the abode of the Holy Spirit, / the same chosen one of God’s Mother appeared to you, / and from Ney God graciously gave. / For this sake, pray for us, your unworthy disciples, // let us sing with you sweetly the glory of us for the sake of the Incarnate Eternal God.

John troparion, tone 3

Putting the post, prayers and viles,/ depth of the beliefs and humbleness/ from Yuni, coincided with a faithful man,/ the equal footed life was likeed to,/ Read the romance of sweet -saved,/ the enthusiasm of the Virgins, and more than that the gift of song-making, / Thou sang abiye, like the Angels of Heaven, / glory to the Son of God who was incarnated from Nei. / Pray for us to the Lord, / grant to all who sing Christ the Life-giver / consonant singing, / / peace and great mercy.

Christian worship is impossible to imagine without church singing, which elevates the soul to heavenly heights, deeply penetrating the heart and directing all thoughts to the Divine Word. For hundreds of years, a certain canon of each church service has developed, including its musical accompaniment. Some hymns have come down to us from time immemorial, created by unknown authors, but the name of one of them is well known to every believer - this is St. Roman the Melodist, whose icon is in many churches and is obligatory for those who have devoted themselves to church singing. The nickname alone testifies to how highly his contemporaries appreciated him, and the very history of his talent acquisition is a real miracle.

Life story

The future saint was born in Syria at the end of the 5th century, was baptized in his youth and, dreaming of dedicating his life to serving the Lord, became a deacon in a temple in Beirut and, finally, went to Constantinople and became one of the clerics in the Church of Our Lady. Roman did not stand out among the rest of the clergy, but Patriarch Evfimy fell in love with the young man for his commitment to the faith, his virtuous life, began to distinguish him and brought him closer to himself.

This aroused the envy of some clerics, they mocked the young man because of his lack of education, as well as his complete lack of voice and hearing. Resignedly enduring these grievances, Roman showed true Christian forgiveness, but one incident completely turned his life upside down.

Once, a great festive service was going on in the church, and the envious clerics decided to expose the timid young man to public ridicule. They pushed him onto the pulpit, and he had to sing in front of the assembled flock. Roman's trembling voice, his indistinct singing, if not caused laughter, made an unfavorable impression, while he himself was in despair.

Returning home, Roman began to pray passionately in front of the icon of the Mother of God. And then a real miracle followed: the Mother of God came down to him from heaven, held out a scroll and ordered him to swallow it. Roman did just that. It turned out that he received as a gift from the Mother of God not only a beautiful voice and hearing, but also an even more valuable gift - to compose church hymns, which required talent not only in versification, but also in music. The novel immediately, under the impression of the appearance of the Mother of God, composed the Christmas kontakion "Today the Virgin gives birth to the Most Substantial", which became famous and is still performed in Orthodox churches on the great festive night.

The next day he brought his first work to the temple and sang it himself in a beautiful sonorous voice. Everyone was shocked by his magnificent voice and the beauty of the hymns he wrote, and the former envious and oppressors repented of their bad attitude towards him, and the soft-hearted young man forgave them.

In total, Roman owns more than a thousand church hymns, including troparia, kontakia and akathists, which have become a real decoration of any divine service and made, and still make, a great impression on believers. That is why Roman was nicknamed the Sweet Singer.

Surrounded by universal love, Roman began to teach singing in Constantinople and did a lot to make the services even more grand. Both contemporaries and scholars who dealt with his creative legacy believed that among all other Greek creators of church hymns, he stands out for the loftiness of poetic talent, depth, sincerity of feelings and musical talent.

Roman the Melodist died in 556, having previously taken the tonsure, and was subsequently canonized by the Church Council. Now an akathist was created for St. Roman the Melodist and the history of his life was written.

Description of the icon of Roman the Melodist

As a rule, the icon of Roman the Melodist depicts a handsome young man, sometimes dressed as a deacon, wearing a surplice and holding an orar (ribbon thrown over his shoulder). His right hand is raised and makes the sign of the cross, and in his left he holds an unfolded scroll with the text of his most famous kontakion.

The Mother of God is also present on the icon with the same scroll in her hands, thanks to which Roman received his wondrous voice and writing talent.

What do they pray to the icon of Roman the Melodist and what does it protect from?

Roman the Melodist, in modern terms, was a composer who wrote church works, therefore the icon "Saint Roman the Melodist" enjoys special reverence among all who have devoted their lives to music and especially church singing. And the icon with a prayer to the miracle worker Roman will help to gain confidence in oneself and one's abilities, overcome the intrigues of envious people, as happened with Roman himself, and creative people to develop their poetic, musical and performing talents. You can turn to her in other difficult circumstances.

Prayer to Roman the Melodist

O sacred head, reverend father, most blessed Abbot Roman, do not forget your poor ones to the end, but always remember us in your holy and auspicious prayers to God. Remember your flock, if you yourself saved it, and do not forget to visit your children. Pray for us, holy father, for your spiritual children, as if you have boldness towards the Heavenly King, do not be silent for us to the Lord, and do not despise us, with faith and love, who honor you.

Remember us unworthy at the Throne of the Almighty, and do not stop praying for us to Christ God, for grace has been given to you to pray for us. It’s not imaginary that the being is dead, but if the body has passed away from us, but even after death you are still alive. Do not depart from us in spirit, preserving us from the arrows of the enemy and all the charms of demons and the wiles of the devil, our good shepherd.

Even more, and the relics of your cancer are always visible before our eyes, but your holy soul with angelic armies, with incorporeal faces, with heavenly powers, at the Throne of the Almighty, is worthy of fun.

Leading thee truly and living after death, we fall down and pray to you: pray for us to the Almighty God, for the benefit of our souls, and ask us time for repentance, let us unhinderedly pass from earth to heaven, from bitter ordeals, demons of air princes and let us be delivered from eternal torment, and let us be with all the righteous who have pleased our Lord Jesus Christ from time immemorial, He deserves all glory, honor and worship, with His Beginningless Father and with His Most Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.