Kassia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Kassia
Icon of St. Kassia
Born	810 Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul, Turkey)
Died	865 Kasos
Venerated in	Eastern Orthodox Church Catholic Church Eastern Catholic Churches Anglican Communion
Canonized	Pre-congregation
Feast	7 September

Kassia, also known as Cassia or Kassiani (Greek: Κασσιανή), was an amazing Byzantine-Greek composer, hymn writer, and poet. She lived around 810 to 865 AD. She is very special in Byzantine music because she is the only woman known to have her music used in church services.

About fifty of her hymns still exist today. Most of them are called stichera. She was also the leader (abbess) of a women's religious community (convent) in Constantinople.

Kassia also wrote many short poems and wise sayings, at least 261 of them. She was one of the few women in the Byzantine Empire who wrote under her own name. Her works are still studied centuries after she lived.

Her Name and Its Meanings

Kassia's name is the Greek female version of the Latin name Cassius. It can be spelled in different ways, like Kassiani, Kassia, or Cassia.

When people talk about her as a composer, they usually use "Kassia." If they are talking about her religious life, they might use "Kassia" or "Kassiani."

Kassia's Life Story

An old painting showing Emperor Theophilos choosing his wife.

Kassia was born in Constantinople between 805 and 810. Her family was wealthy, and she grew up to be very beautiful and smart.

Some old Byzantine writers say that Kassia was part of a "bride show" for the young Emperor Theophilos. This was a way Byzantine emperors sometimes chose a wife. The emperor would give a golden apple to the woman he chose.

Theophilos was impressed by Kassia's beauty. He approached her and said, "Through a woman came forth the baser things." He was talking about how sin and suffering came from Eve in the Bible.

Kassia quickly replied, "And through a woman came forth the better things." She was talking about how hope and salvation came through the Virgin Mary.

Theophilos was not happy with her answer. He chose another woman, Theodora, to be his wife instead.

Becoming a Nun

Later, around 843, Kassia started a women's religious community (convent) in western Constantinople. She became its first leader (abbess). Some people think she did this because she was sad about not marrying Theophilos. However, other writings suggest she wanted a religious life for different reasons.

Being a nun was a common choice for women back then. So, it's likely she chose this path because of her strong religious beliefs.

Standing Up for Her Faith

Emperor Theophilos was against the use of icons (holy images) in churches. He even punished people who supported them. Kassia was one of these people. She believed in honoring icons and was punished harshly for it.

Despite this, she continued to speak out for her faith. She once said, "I hate silence when it is time to speak."

After Theophilos died in 842, his young son Michael III became emperor. His mother, Empress Theodora, helped him rule. They stopped the persecution of those who honored icons, and peace returned to the empire.

Kassia traveled to Italy for a short time. She then settled on the Greek island of Kasos. She died there sometime between 867 and 890. There is a church in Panaghia where her tomb might be found.

Kassia's Amazing Works

Overview of Her Writings

Kassiani wrote many hymns that are still used in Christian church services today. Even when she was young, she was known to the great writer Theodore the Studite. He was very impressed by how smart she was and how well she wrote.

She not only wrote religious poems but also created music for them. She is seen as a very special and rare composer from her time. At least twenty-three of her hymns are definitely hers. Her works show that she was influenced by classical Greek literature, which she studied when she was young.

Sacred Music for Church

The Famous Hymn of Kassia

Her most famous work is called the Hymn of Kassia. It is sung every year during church services on Holy Wednesday.

There is a story that says Emperor Theophilos, still loving Kassia, wanted to see her one last time before he died. He rode to the monastery where she lived. Kassia was in her room, writing her hymn, when she heard the emperor's group arrive.

She still loved him but was now dedicated to God. She hid because she didn't want her old feelings to make her forget her promise to God. She left the unfinished hymn on her table.

Theophilos found her room and went in alone. He looked for her but couldn't find her. Kassia was hiding and watching him. Theophilos was sad and regretted being too proud when he rejected her. Then, he saw the papers on the table and read the hymn.

When he finished reading, he added one line to the hymn and then left. The line he supposedly added is: "those feet whose sound Eve heard at dusk in Paradise and hid herself for fear." Legend says that as he left, he saw Kassia hiding but didn't speak to her, respecting her privacy. Kassia came out after he was gone, read what he wrote, and finished the hymn.

The music for this hymn is slow, sad, and beautiful. It can last from ten to twenty minutes. It needs a singer with a very wide vocal range. It is one of the most challenging pieces of Byzantine chant. People often go to church specifically to hear this hymn on that evening.

Everyday Writings

Kassia is also known for 261 works of everyday literature. These include short poems (epigrams) and wise sayings (gnomic verses). She wrote these during the reigns of Emperors Theophilos and Michael III.

These writings also show her knowledge of classical Greek literature. Writing in these styles was mostly done by men, so Kassia's contributions were unusual.

Her epigrams often combined everyday ideas with Christian teachings. She wrote about ethical lessons for Christians. Kassia also discussed topics like foolishness, friendship, social structures, beauty, and defending women's rights. Her short, wise sayings often shared moral advice.

How Kassia is Remembered

Many made-up stories were created about her relationship with Emperor Theophilos. However, historians say she was exiled to Italy during the time of the Iconoclast wars. She later settled and died in Kasos.

Kassia has also been shown in modern media:

• She is played by Karima McAdams in the 5th season of the TV show Vikings.
• In 2019, the English singer-songwriter Frank Turner included a song about her on his album No Man's Land.

Other Important Hymns

Kassia also wrote other hymns, such as:

• The Doxastichon sung on Christmas Eve.
• Many hymns honoring different saints.
• Hymns used during Great Lent, a special time before Easter.
• Her longest work is a Canon for the Departed, which has 32 parts and is sung at memorial services.

Honoring Saint Kassia

The Christian Church celebrates Saint Kassia's feast day on September 7.

She is often shown in paintings (icons) for the Sunday of Orthodoxy. This is because she strongly defended the honoring of icons.

In 2022, Kassia was officially added to the Episcopal Church liturgical calendar, with her feast day also on September 7.

Recordings of Her Music

You can find Kassia's music on these recordings:

• Kronos Quartet: Early Music (Lachrymæ Antiquæ) (1997)
• Sarband: Sacred Women, Women as Composers and Performers of Medieval Chant (2001)
• Deborah Kayser & Nick Tsiavos: The Fallen Woman (2008)
• VocaMe: Kassia - Byzantine hymns of the first woman composer (2009)
• Choral Settings of Kassiani: with members of Cappella Romana and the English Chamber Choir (2011)
• Hymns of Kassiani, by Cappella Romana (2021)

See also

In Spanish: Kassia para niños