Ancient Christian Chant Introduction to Prosomia Hymns

Types of Hymns One way that ancient Christian hymns were classified is by certain types of melodies: Idiomela hymns are those hymns which have their own melody specifically arranged to that text only. These are often the longer Sticheraric hymns for special feast days. They can also be special Heirmologic hymns. Automela hymns are the pattern or special melodies for many other hymns sung during the year. They are usually identified by the first few words of the Automela (or Original) Hymn such as “Awed by the beauty”, “On this day the Virgin”, “Joseph was amazed”, etc. Prosomia hymns are those hymns which are sung to the same melody as one of the Automela hymns. In the liturgical books they will say “Tone Four. Joseph was amazed.” This means the following hymn is to be sung to the same melody as the Automelon hymn “Joseph was amazed” in Tone Four. A Prosomion hymn was originally written with the same meter as its Automelon hymn (in the original Greek). This made it much easier to sing the large volumes of variable texts throughout the year. For instance, most of the Lord I have cried Stichera, Aposticha Stichera, Kathisma (or Sessional) Hymns, Exapostilaria and Praises Stichera in the daily services of the Menaion are Prosomia and appointed to be sung to these special Automela hymns. Also, in the Canons at Matins / Orthros the Heirmos (first verse of each Ode) is the Automelon and the Troparia following it were metered the same and sung to the same melody as the preceding Heirmos.

Thankfully, due to the tremendous English translation work done by Holy Transfiguration Monastery (see 12 volume Menaion), a great majority of these Prosomia have been metered and can be sung to these Automela (original melodies) with some minor adaptation.

Many of these melodies were originally composed by St. Romanos, St. Andrew of Crete, St. John of Damascus (OrthodoxWiki), St. Cosmas of Maiuma, St. Theophanes, St. Joseph the Hymnographer, etc. The following is a list of the most common Prosomia: First Mode Third Mode Plagal First Mode 1) Although the stone was sealed 15) Awed by the beauty 34) Let us worship the Word 2) O all-lauded martyrs 16) On this day the Virgin 35) O righteous father 3) O strange wonder 17) The power of Thy Cross 36) Rejoice 4) The soldiers standing guard 18) That which came to pass in thee Plagal Second Mode 5) Thou art the Joy 19) Thy confession 37) As it is written 6) While Gabriel was saying 20) From the heights our Saviour Christ 38) Ere the morning star Second Mode 21) O Changeless Light 39) Having laid up all their hope 7) O house of Ephratha 22) O ye Apostles from afar 40) When Thou hadst fulfilled 8) Thou soughtest the heights 23) Thou Who as God adornest 41) Ye angelic hosts 9) When he took thee 24) Thy bridal-chamber, O my Savior Plagal Fourth Mode 10) With what fair crowns 25) While standing in the Temple's courts 42) As first-fruits of our nature 11) Hearken, ye women Fourth Mode 43) By conceiving the Wisdom 12) Upon that mount in Galilee 26) As one valiant 44) O Lord, though Thou didst stand 13) When Thou hadst fallen asleep 27) Be quick to anticipate 45) O Lord, Thy holy martyrs 14) While Thy disciples looked on Thee 28) Joseph was amazed 46) O strange wonder 29) Lord, when Thou didst ascend 47) The paradise of Eden 30) On this day Thou hast appeared 48) Thou, as the Life of all 31) Thou who wast called from on high 49) To thee, the Champion Leader 32) Thou who wast raised up 50) What shall we now call you 33) Unto them that fear Thee 51) When the bodiless one www.stromanospress.org [email protected]