Ирмосите в октоиховите канони на св. Климент Охридски
The Heirmoi in St. Clement of Ohrid’s Oktoechos Canons

Author(s): Maria Yovcheva
Subject(s): Language studies, Language and Literature Studies
Published by: Кирило-Методиевски научен център при Българска академия на науките
Summary/Abstract: The article discusses factors, having impact on the selection of the rhythmic and melodic models in St. Clement of Ohrid’s oktoechos canons. The available data outlines a trend for using a limited quantity of repeating hymns. St. Clement of Ohrid’s preferences within the scope of most often used classic models of аnastasimos (resurrectional) and stauroanastasimos canons in the Oktoechos or of the canons, dedicated to the most honoured movable and immovable feasts. Apart from heirmoi’s popularity, another significant criterion is St. Clement of Ohrid’s poetic concept, regarding the idea thematic and notional focus of the canticle and of the entire canon. The choice of models, and especially the more rare hymns used, which are widely encountered in the Oktoechos and are missing in the Menaia and Triodia canons, shows that the Old Bulgarian writer relied on already translated heirmoi in the main hymnographic collections, and not on the existing Slavonic Heirmologion. In their content, the heirmoi, used by St. Clement, were more or less close to the Biblical canticle, to which they were related, as in most cases they quoted whole parts of its text or referred to it. There are no heavily dogmatic or theological heirmoi, presenting the Christian ideas through complex allegories. Generally St. Clement’s selection of rhythmic and melodic patterns may be explained by the specificities of the early stage of development of Old Bulgarian hymnography, taking into consideration the role of these hymns as exegesis, available to a wider and less educated audiences.

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