Tarasius, patriarch of Constantinople (784), was the chief mover in the restoration of Iconsand the second Council of Nicaea (787). He died Feb. 25, 806. His hymns are Unimportant.^466
EUTHYMIUS, usually known as Syngelus or Syncellus (died about 910), is the author of
a penitential canon to the Virgin Mary, which is much esteemed in the East.^467
Elias, bishop of Jerusalem about 761, and Orestes, bishop of the same city, 996–1012, have
been brought to light as poets by the researches of Pitra from the libraries of Grotta Ferrata, and
other convents.
In addition to these may be mentioned Methodius (846)^468 Photius, Patriarch of
Constantinople (d. 891), Metrophanes of Smyrna (900), Leo VI., or the Philosopher, who troubled
the Eastern Church by a fourth marriage (886–917), Symeon Metaphrastes (Secretary and Chancellor
of the Imperial Court at Constantinople, about 900), Kasias, Nilus Xanthopulus, Joannes Geometra,
and Mauropus (1060). With the last the Greek hymnody well nigh ceased. A considerable number
of hymns cannot be traced to a known author.^469
We give in conclusion the best specimens of Greek hymnody as reproduced and adapted
to modern use by Dr. Neale.
’Tis the Day of Resurrection.
( jAnastavsew" hJmevra.)
By St. John of Damascus.
’Tis the Day of Resurrection,
Earth, tell it out abroad!
The Passover of gladness,
The Passover of God!
From death to life eternal,
From earth unto the sky,
Our Christ hath brought us over,
With hymns of victory.
Our hearts be pure from evil,
That we may see aright
The Lord in rays eternal
Of resurrection light:
And, listening to His accents,
May hear, so calm and plain,
His own "All hail!"—and hearing,
May raise the victor strain.
Now let the heavens be!
Let earth her song begin!
Let the round world keep triumph,
(^466) Neale notices him, but thinks it not worth while to translate his poetry.
(^467) Κανὼνεἰςτὴνὑπεραγίανθεοτόκον. See Daniel, III. 17-20.
(^468) Not to be confounded with Methodius Eubulius, of Patara, the martyr (d. 311), who is also counted among the poets
for his psalm of the Virgins in praise of chastity (παρθένιον); see vol. II. 811, and Christ, p. 33-37. Bässler (p.4 sq.) gives a
German version of it by Fortlage.
(^469) Pitra concludes his collection with eighty-three anonymous hymns, thirty-two of which he assigns to the poets of
the Studium. See also Daniel, III. 110-138, and the last hymns in Neale’s translations.