Knowledge in song : Liturgical formation and transformation in Romanos the Melodist

[Extract] The kontakia of the sixth-century hymnographer Romanos the Melodist fashion biblical material into dramatic dialogues with cosmic ramifications. Listeners see not only the earthly events but also the reactions of angels and the devil, and hear from different characters about the significance of these events for their own lives. The events are present and the kontakia call on listeners to take part in them as witnesses, liturgical participants, through emotional reactions, and as active speakers in the narrative through the refrain. In this chapter I argue that Romanos’ hymns perform a transformation of the self which enables a deeper knowledge of God. This transformation is emotional, sensory and volitional and—I argue—takes place through the formation of a liturgical community.