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therealvikingstrash · 8 months

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Underrated Hotties of Vikings, Day 3: Byzantine Nun and Abbess Kassia

#vikings #kassia #byzantine nun kassia #byzantine abbess kassia #perioddramaedit #vtrash gif #vtrash edit #vikings history #vikingsedit #i mean look at her so damn pretty #and her being a manipulative psycho was hot ngl

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thesynaxarium · 2 years

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Today we celebrate the Venerable Cassiane (or Cassia or Kassiani) the Hymnographer. Saint Cassiane grew up in Constantinople and was selected as one of two potential brides for the emperor. Secretly hoping not to be chosen as she wished to live her life as a monastic, the emperor stated to her that the greatest evil came into the world from a woman (i.e. Eve) to which she responded, likewise the greatest Good also came from a woman (i.e. the Theotokos). Because the emperor did not wish his bride to be more intelligent than he, he chose the other suitor whom he married. Cassiane then became a nun and then abbess of the convent Ebdomon where she composed many hymns for Christmas and other feast days of the Church. She is most well known for her composition of the Troparion of Kassiani which is chanted on Holy Tuesday night. In this hymn, the Saint likens herself to the sinful woman who repented at Christ's feet. It is said that even if this hymn was the only one she had composed, this would be more than enough to number her among the greatest hymnographers of the Church. May she intercede for us all + #saint #kassiani #kassiane #cassiani #cassiane #cassia #kassia #hymnographer #hymn #church #monastery #nun #emperor #byzantine #byzantium #constantinople #suitor #empress #monastic #abbess #convent #hymns #troparion #holytuesday #holy #venerable #orthodox #saintoftheday (at Constantinople - Κωνσταντινούπολη) https://www.instagram.com/p/CiLgcT3vfBn/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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medievalistsnet · 17 minutes

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#medieval #history #byzantine empire #nuns #women's history #monasticism

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mydaylight · 3 months

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Every time I see on my dash gifs of the Vikings' Kassia (Kassiani), the famous Byzantine nun and poetess, I have to be reminded of that atrocious portrayal of her in that show... why on earth did they decide to mess up with her that badly

#I don't even know why they included her since they clearly weren't interested in her at all!#like what is the point just make up a fictional woman #if kassiani is not “cool” enough for you by being an recognized poetess in the 9th century

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gemsofgreece · 2 years

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The Hymn of Kassia

The Τροπάριον της Κασσιανής (Tropárion tis Kassianís, Hymn of Kassia) is a Greek Orthodox Chant performed in the evening of Holy Tuesday.

Kassia or Kassianí is a saint venerated by the Orthodox Church as well as the Latin and Eastern Catholic Church. Kassiani was a Byzantine Greek composer, hymnographer and poet. A famous legend is associated with her.

Kassiani, Classics Illustrated.

Kassiani was born around 807 in Constantinople into a wealthy family and she was well known for her exceptional beauty and intellect. She participated in the "bride show" organized for young Emperor Theóphilos, who was of Phrygian (Cappadocian) Greek descent. Theophilos was enraptured by her beauty. He stopped in front of her and offered her a golden apple, according to the custom, while saying: «Ὡς ἂρα διά γυναικός ἐρρύη τὰ φαῦλα» (Os ára ðiá yinekós eríi ta fávla), "So, through a woman the baser things come forth", meaning Eve's sin. Kassiani did not touch the apple and responded promptly: «Ἀλλά καὶ διά γυναικός πηγάζει τά κρείττω» (Alá ke ðiá yinekós piɣázi ta kríto), ¨But also through a woman the most excellent things spring¨, meaning the Christ being born to Mary. Of course, a commoner answering back to an emperor, let alone a woman, was not exactly well accepted in the Byzantine etiquette. Theophilos, outwitted in front of his whole court, turned and gave the apple to another girl, the modest Theodora, who was of Armenian descent.

The emperor Theophilos chooses his empress A.D. 829 - Val Cameron Prinsep (1838-1904)

Little is historically confirmed about Kassiani until 843, when she founded a monastery west of Constantinople but she had become a nun before that. According to some sources, she chose the monastic life after her heartbreak, while others argue Kassiani was primarily interested in religious studies and other intellectual endeavours, which she could pursue much more easily in a monastery than as a regular woman in the Byzantine society. Kassiani wrote many hymns still used in the Byzantine liturgy. She also composed the music to accompany her spiritual poetry. 261 works of secular literature are also attributed to her, covering themes such as ethical ideals and weaknesses, social structures, femininity and the defense of women's rights.

Emperor Theophilos was a fierce iconoclast. He persecuted supporters of the veneration of icons and Kassiani did not escape the imperial policy. She was scourged with a lash. Yet she remained outspoken, saying at some point: "I hate silence when it is time to speak." Ironically, Empress Theodora was also against the Iconoclasm and she restored the veneration of icons when her emperor husband died.

Theodora is also venerated as a saint.

According to tradition, Theophilos regretted rejecting Kassiani because of his wounded ego. When he sensed his death was near, he visited her monastery in order to see her one last time. (Theophilos died young, aged 30, from illness.) Kassiani was in her cell, composing one of her hymns. She heard the imperial carriage stopping at the yard and understood. Panicked, she hid herself inside a closet in order to not be tempted to break her monastic vow. Theophilos entered the seemingly empty cell and saw her writings. He sat down, read the unfinished hymn and then added a line of his own. The line attributed to him is this one:

ὧν ἐν τῷ παραδείσῳ Εὔα τὸ δειλινόν, κρότον τοῖς ὠσὶν ἠχηθεῖσα, τῷ φόβῳ ἐκρύβη.

Transliteration: On en to paraðísso Éva to ðilinón, króton tis ossín ihithíssa, to phóvo ekrívi.

Translation: In the paradise at sunset, Eve heard the thump of these (feet) and hid herself in fear.

Emperor Theophilos.

It is thus said that Theophilos understood Kassiani was hiding in the closet. However, he respected her wish to not be seen / tempted and left without a word. Kassiani got out and read what the emperor had written. She kept his addition and finished the hymn with three more lines. The hymn is about the woman caught in adultery and saved by Jesus and not about Mary Magdalene as it is often believed. The hymn is easily recognized by its opening line:

Κύριε, ἡ ἐν πολλαῖς ἁμαρτίαις περιπεσοῦσα γυνή...

Transliteration: Kýrie, e en polés amartíes peripessússa yiní...

Translation: Lord, the woman that fell into much sin...

and it is the one chanted today according to the traditions of the Greek Orthodox Easter.

Saint Kassiani the Poet.

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goldentailedmermaids · 7 years

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As a medieval music nerd, the name Kassia sounded familiar and thus I checked the Vikings wikia just in case my suspicions were right. According to it the character of Kassia is a "Byzantine nun and abess" and is based on Kassiani, one of the first medieval composers (seriously check her she was badass and her music is beautiful). Guess that she's another historical lady that Hirst is going to mess up, anyhow *sigh*

I feel you mate! And I will definitely check on Kassiani ^^ Thanks for the rec.

#vikings #q #Anonymous #ask

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thesynaxarium · 3 years

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Today we celebrate the Venerable Cassiane (or Cassia or Kassiani) the Hymnographer. Saint Cassiane grew up in Constantinople and was selected as one of two potential brides for the emperor. Secretly hoping not to be chosen as she wished to live her life as a monastic, the emperor stated to her that the greatest evil came into the world from a woman (i.e. Eve) to which she responded, likewise the greatest Good also came from a woman (i.e. the Theotokos). Because the emperor did not wish his bride to be more intelligent than he, he chose the other suitor whom he married. Cassiane then became a nun and then abbess of the convent Ebdomon where she composed many hymns for Christmas and other feast days of the Church. She is most well known for her composition of the Troparion of Kassiani which is chanted on Holy Tuesday night. In this hymn, the Saint likens herself to the sinful woman who repented at Christ's feet. It is said that even if this hymn was the only one she had composed, this would be more than enough to number her among the greatest hymnographers of the Church. May she intercede for us all + #saint #kassiani #kassiane #cassiani #cassiane #cassia #kassia #hymnographer #hymn #church #monastery #nun #emperor #byzantine #byzantium #constantinople #suitor #empress #monastic #abbess #convent #hymns #troparion #holytuesday #holy #venerable #orthodox #saintoftheday (at Constantinople - Κωνσταντινούπολη) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTfVOI3DrFo/?utm_medium=tumblr

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thesynaxarium · 4 years

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Today we celebrate the Venerable Cassiane (or Cassia or Kassiani) the Hymnographer. Saint Cassiane grew up in Constantinople and was selected as one of two potential brides for the emperor. Secretly hoping not to be chosen as she wished to live her life as a monastic, the emperor stated to her that the greatest evil came into the world from a woman (i.e. Eve) to which she responded, likewise the greatest Good also came from a woman (i.e. the Theotokos). Because the emperor did not wish his bride to be more intelligent than he, he chose the other suitor whom he married. Cassiane then became a nun and then abbess of the convent Ebdomon where she composed many hymns for Christmas and other feast days of the Church. She is most well known for her composition of the Troparion of Kassiani which is chanted on Holy Tuesday night. In this hymn, the Saint likens herself to the sinful woman who repented at Christ's feet. It is said that even if this hymn was the only one she had composed, this would be more than enough to number her among the greatest hymnographers of the Church. May she intercede for us all + #saint #kassiani #kassiane #cassiani #cassiane #cassia #kassia #hymnographer #hymn #church #monastery #nun #emperor #byzantine #byzantium #constantinople #suitor #empress #monastic #abbess #convent #hymns #troparion #holytuesday #holy #venerable #orthodox #saintoftheday (at Constantinople - Κωνσταντινούπολη) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEzilUJJb2P/?igshid=1htfd627f7g0n

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thesynaxarium · 6 years

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Today we celebrate one of SOPHIA's patron saints, the Venerable Kassiani the Hymnographer. Saint Kassiani grew up in Constantinople and was selected as one of two potential brides for the emperor. Secretly hoping not to be chosen as she wished to live her life as a monastic, the emperor stated to her that the greatest evil came into the world from a woman (i.e. Eve) to which she responded, likewise the greatest Good also came from a woman (i.e. the Theotokos). Because the emperor did not wish his bride to be more intelligent than he, he chose the other suitor whom he married. Kassiani then became a nun and then abbess of the convent Ebdomon where she composed many hymns for Christmas and other feast days of the Church. She is most well known for her composition of the Troparion of Kassiani which is chanted on Holy Tuesday night. In this hymn, the Saint likens herself to the sinful woman who repented at Christ's feet. It is said that even if this hymn was the only one she had composed, this would be more than enough to number her among the greatest hymnographers of the Church. Saint Kassiani is considered one of our patron saints as she received one of the highest education as a woman in her day and she used her intellect to glorify God. May she intercede for us all + #saint #kassiani #kassiane #cassiani #cassiane #cassia #kassia #hymnographer #hymn #church #monastery #nun #emperor #byzantine #byzantium #constantinople #suitor #empress #monastic #abbess #convent #hymns #troparion #holytuesday #holy #patron #patronsaint #venerable #orthodox #sophia https://www.instagram.com/p/BnZ2MnmBxdg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=6iocov72302i

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thesynaxarium · 7 years

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Today we celebrate one of SOPHIA's patron saints, the Venerable Kassiani the Hymnographer. Saint Kassiani grew up in Constantinople and was selected as one of two potential brides for the emperor. Secretly hoping not to be chosen as she wished to live her life as a monastic, the emperor stated to her that the greatest evil came into the world from a woman (i.e. Eve) to which she responded, likewise the greatest Good also came from a woman (i.e. the Theotokos). Because the emperor did not wish his bride to be more intelligent than he, he chose the other suitor whom he married. Kassiani then became a nun and then abbess of the convent Ebdomon where she composed many hymns for Christmas and other feast days of the Church. She is most well known for her composition of the Troparion of Kassiani which is chanted on Holy Tuesday night. In this hymn, the Saint likens herself to the sinful woman who repented at Christ's feet. It is said that even if this hymn was the only one she had composed, this would be more than enough to number her among the greatest hymnographers of the Church. Saint Kassiani is considered one of our patron saints as she received one of the highest education as a woman in her day and she used her intellect to glorify God. May she intercede for us all + #saint #kassiani #kassiane #cassiani #cassiane #cassia #kassia #hymnographer #hymn #church #monastery #nun #emperor #byzantine #byzantium #constantinople #suitor #empress #monastic #abbess #convent #hymns #troparion #holytuesday #holy #patron #patronsaint #venerable #orthodox #sophia

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