Musical-liturgical creations to saints Constantine and Helen
Musical-liturgical creations to saints Constantine and Helen

Summary/Abstract: The present paper aims to present the image of the Christian Emperor Constantine the Great and his mother Helen, as reflected both in liturgical hymnographic creations and musical creations adapted to these liturgical texts. There have been identified compositions that reveal the spiritual state of the two Byzantine sovereigns, following the changes in the musical texts, while observing new elements. The melodic differences of ritual books are explained by the fact that their authors were drawn into their creations, depending on the church where the liturgical service was performed (in case of a saint’s celebration, the musical creation was adapted to this solemnity). The focus is mainly on the glories and stichera which best render the significance of the feast. The importance of the text highlighted by the musical discourse determines some theological, semantic and stylistic analyses of the musical compositions. Freedom of expression of the Christian faith restored in 313 was more than a liturgical manifestation; it triggered enrichment of theological thinking, made fruitful by those who became “friends of God”. They are to be found both in the church worship and the Byzantine Melos. The Emperor Constantine the Great is worth being praised in hymns and glories.

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