Kassia

Kassia

Kassia was a noblewoman living in the Byzantine era, and is the earliest known female composer. We are not completely sure of the exact years she lived, but it is generally thought that she lived from around 810 to 865. She started a convent and wrote many hymns and poems based on Byzantine liturgy. Today we still have about 25 of her compositions. Orthodox church services still use her works today.

The Hymn of Kassia (sometimes spelled Cassia) is her most famous composition and is sung each year at matins on Holy Wednesday in the Orthodox church. This hauntingly beautiful hymn is sung acapella by the women of the St. Tikhon's Monastery Church. This is a Bulgarian Chant. I love that the video shows us so much art, architecture, and images from church life. Really calming and wonderful.