St Joseph the Hymnographer (c. 816-c. 886)

St Joseph the Hymnographer (c. 816 – c. 886) was born in Sicily and became a monk and poet.  He is considered to be one of the greatest liturgical poets and hymnographers of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

In 830 he left Sicily after the Arab invasion of his home to start a monastic life in Thessalonica. Thence he went to Constantinople. He was sent on a mission to Rome by Gregory of Dekapolis during the Iconoclastic persecution. On route, he was captured by Pirates and spent a year as slave in Crete.

His hymns are still sung, not only by Eastern Christians, but by Western Christians as well. He is recognised as a saint in both traditions. A number of his hymns have been translated into English.

Hymns written by St Joseph the Hymnographer (c. 816-c. 886).