Readings

September 7: [Kassiani, Poet and Hymnographer, 865]

The Collect of the Day

Kassiani

O God of boundless mercy, whose handmaiden Kassiani brought forth poetry and song: Inspire in your church a new song, that following her most excellent example, we may boldly proclaim the truth of your Word; even Jesus Christ, our Savior and Deliverer. Amen.

Kassiani

O God of boundless mercy, whose handmaiden Kassiani brought forth poetry and song: Inspire in thy church a new song, that following her most excellent example, we may boldly proclaim the truth of thy Word; even Jesus Christ, our Savior and Deliverer. Amen.

Kassiani is the only woman whose writings appear in the official liturgies of the Orthodox Church, and one of only two Byzantine women who is known as an author under her own name. Born to a wealthy family in Constantinople before 810, Kassiani received an excellent education in matters both secular and sacred, impressing bishops and monastic leaders such as Theodore the Studite with her literary style and knowledge while she was still a young girl.

According to three Byzantine chroniclers, when Emperor Michael II of Amorion died, his son Theophilos succeeded him. To find a suitable empress for Theophilos, a “bride show” of eligible maidens was arranged, Kassiani amongst six finalists. In an ancient custom involving the exchange of a golden apple, Theophilos approached Kassiani saying, “From woman [Eve] came our corruption.” Kassiani coolly replied, “But from woman [the virgin Mary] also came our exaltation.” Her bold response evidently proved too much for Theophilos, who then moved past her to offer the apple to Theodora.

After her rejection by Theophilos, Kassiani immediately embraced the monastic life- with what seemed more relief than disappointment at her narrow escape from becoming empress. Among her pursuits as a nun include musical and literary accomplishments of distinction, courageous defenses of the veneration of icons, and the founding of a new convent. She was actively involved in the theological controversies of her day, and an Iambic verse she penned denotes her bravery: “I hate silence, when it is time to speak.”

By 843, Kassiani had built a convent on Xerólophos, the seventh hill of Constantinople, becoming its first abbess. Most notably, however, Kassiani was a prolific hymnographer and poet. Hundreds of poems and approximately fifty of her hymns are extant, including both her musical compositions and lyrics; of those, at least twenty-three hymns are included in Orthodox liturgical books. The most famous, the Hymn of Kassiani, is sung in the Orthodox Church on the eve of Holy Wednesday.

Lessons and Psalm

First Lesson

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Psalm

1Hallelujah! Praise God in his holy temple; *praise him in the firmament of his power.

2Praise him for his mighty acts; *praise him for his excellent greatness.

3Praise him with the blast of the ram’s-horn; *Praise him with lyre and harp.

4Praise him with timbrel and dance; *praise him with strings and pipe.

5Praise him with resounding cymbals; *praise him with loud-clanging cymbals.

6Let everything that has breath *praise the Lord. Hallelujah!

Gospel

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Mark 4:30–34

30 He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; 32 yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” 33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; 34 he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

1 Samuel 2:1–10

1 Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in my God. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in my victory. 2 “There is no Holy One like the Lord, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. 3 Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 4 The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength. 5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. 6 The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. 7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts. 8 He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world. 9 “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness; for not by might does one prevail. 10 The Lord! His adversaries shall be shattered; the Most High will thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king, and exalt the power of his anointed.”