kontakion

Or con·ta·ki·on

[kawn-tah-kee-awn, kuhn-tey-kee-on]

noun

Greek Orthodox Church.

plural

kontakia 

1. a short hymn honoring a saint.

Word History and Origins

Origin of kontakion¹

1865–70; < Late Greek, special use of kontákion scroll, equivalent to kontak- (stem of kóntax ) pole + -ion diminutive suffix

Example Sentences

The service includes the "Russian Kontakion of the Departed", a hymn Prince Philip had chosen for his own funeral last year.

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The choir sang a sailors’ hymn, “Eternal Father, Strong to Save”, and shortly before he is lowered into the Royal Vault, the Russian “Kontakion of the Departed”, a hymn of the Orthodox and Eastern churches, will echo around the ancient church.

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The choir will sing Psalm 104 and the Russian Kontakion of the Departed before and after the prayers for Prince Philip.

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"Let us avoid the high-flown speech of the Pharisee"—says the Kontakion of the day—"and learn the majesty of the Publican's humble words."

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NOTE: On the eve of Great Feasts of the Lord or the Theotokos, the Troparion and Kontakion of the Feast are read.

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