The Apolytikion
An apolytikion is a short hymn in Orthodox Christian worship that summarises the feast or saint being commemorated on a particular day. It’s essentially a “dismissal hymn” sung at the end of services like Vespers, Matins, and the Divine Liturgy. The term “apolytikion” comes from the Greek word “apolysis,” meaning “dismissal,” as it’s first sung before the dismissal of Vespers, the first service of the liturgical day.
To illustrate this, the Apolytikion for Saint Constantine & St Helen is shown below:
Greek
Τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου τὸν τύπον ἐν οὐρανῷ θεασάμενος, καὶ ὡς ὁ Παῦλος τὴν κλῆσιν οὐκ ἐξ ἀνθρώπων δεξάμενος, ὁ ἐν βασιλεῦσιν, Ἀπόστολός σου Κύριε, Βασιλεύουσαν πόλιν τῇ χειρί σου παρέθετο, ἣν περίσωζε διὰ παντὸς ἐν εἰρήνῃ, πρεσβείαις τῆς Θεοτόκου, μόνε
Φιλάνθρωπε.
Greek (phonetic)
Toú Stavroú sou tón týpon en ouranó theasámenos, kaí os o
Pavlos tín klísin ouk ex anthrópon dexámenos, o en vasilefsin, Apóstolós sou Kýrie, Vasilévousan pólin tí cheirí sou parétheto, ín perísoze diá pantós en eiríni, presveíais tís Theotókou, móne Filánthrope.
English
Having beheld the type of Your Cross in heaven, and like Paul, who did not accept the call from men, the kingly, Your Apostle, O Lord, entrusted the reigning city to Your hand, which You preserved forever in peace, through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O only Philanthropist.
You can hear the Apolytikion sung in English here.
Another Apolytikion example would be the Transfiguration of Our Lord, which is sung on the feast day of August 6th.
Greek
Μεταμορφώθηκες στο Όρος, Χριστέ ο Θεός, αποκαλύπτοντας τη δόξα Σου στους μαθητές Σου, όσο μπορούσαν να κατανοήσουν. Φώτισε και εμάς τους αμαρτωλούς με το αιώνιο φως Σου, με τις πρεσβείες της Θεοτόκου, της Δωρήτριας του φωτός, δόξα Σοι.
Greek (phonetic)
Metamorfóthikes sto Óros, Christé o Theós, apokalýptontas ti dóxa Sou stous mathités Sou, óso boroúsan na katanoísoun. Fótise kai emás tous amartoloús me to aiónio fos Sou, me tis presveíes tis Theotókou, tis Dorítrias tou fotós, dóxa Soi.
English
You were transfigured on the Mount, Christ God revealing Your glory to Your disciples, insofar as they could comprehend. Illuminate us sinners also with Your everlasting light, through the intercessions of the Theotokos. Giver of light, glory to You.
You can hear a lovely version of the Transfiguration Apolytikion by clicking here.
The Kontakion
A kontakion typically begins with a short prologue (koukoulion or prooimion) followed by numerous stanzas of equal length. Each stanza (ikos) ends with the same refrain, which is also introduced in the prologue.
Originally, kontakia were lengthy poetic sermons, often delivered during church services. They are known for their depth of theological reflection and their ability to engage the listener through music and poetic language.
While the term “kontakion” is from the 9th century, the form itself was in use by the early 6th century, notably with the work of St. Romanos the Melodist. He is credited with elevating the kontakion to its distinctive form.
In contemporary Orthodox worship, kontakia are often abbreviated, with only the first stanza (ikos) and the prologue being chanted or read. However, the Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos is an exception, where the full length of the kontakion is still used.
To illustrate this, the Kontakion for Saint Constantine & St Helen is shown below:
Greek
Κωνσταντῖνος σήμερον, σὺν τῇ μητρὶ τῇ Ἑλένη, τὸν Σταυρὸν ἐμφαίνουσι, τὸ πανσεβάσμιον ξύλον, πάντων μὲν τῶν Ἰουδαίων αἰσχύνην ὄντα, ὅπλον δὲ πιστῶν, ἀνάκτων κατ ̓ ἐναντίων, δι ̓ ἡμᾶςγὰρ ἀνεδείχθη, σημεῖον μέγα, καὶ ἐν πολέμοις φρικτόν
Greek (phonetic)
Konstantínos símeron, sýn tí mitrí tí Eléni, tón Stavrón
emfaínousi, tó pansevásmion xýlon, pánton mén tón Ioudaíon aischýnin ónta, óplon dé pistón, anákton kat enantíon, di imás gár anedeíchthi, simeíon méga, kaí en polémois friktón
English
Constantine today, with his mother Helen, is showing the Cross, the most venerable wood, a disgrace to all Jews, but a weapon of the faithful, raised against their enemies, for it has been shown to us, a great sign, and terrible in wars.
You can hear the Kontakion sung here.
Another Kontakion example would also be the Transfiguration of Our Lord
Greek
Ἐπὶ τοῦ ὄρους μετεμορφώθης, καὶ οἱ μαθηταί σου τὴν δόξαν σου, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, ἐθεάσαντο, ὅσον ὅσον ἦν αὐτοῖς δυνατὸν ἰδεῖν, ἵνα ὅταν σε ἴδωσιν σταυρούμενον, νοήσωσιν τὸ ἑκούσιον πάθος, κηρύξωσιν δὲ τῷ κόσμῳ, ὅτι σὺ ὑπάρχεις ἀληθῶς τοῦ Πατρὸς τὸ ἀπαύγασμα.
Greek (phonetic)
Epí toú órous metemorfóthis, kaí oi mathitaí sou tín dóxan sou, Christé o Theós, etheásanto, óson óson ín aftoís dynatón ideín, ína ótan se ídosin stavroúmenon, noísosin tó ekoúsion páthos, kirýxosin dé tó kósmo, óti sý ypárcheis alithós toú Patrós tó apávgasma
English
You were transfigured on the mount, O Christ God, and Your disciples beheld Your glory as far as they could see it; so that when they would behold You crucified, they would understand that Your suffering was voluntary, and would proclaim to the world, that You are truly the Radiance of the Father
Hear the Kontakion sung here.