Sing for me and I will not abandon you

Born in Bulgaria and raised in Constantinople, Saint John Koukouzelis (d.1360) left his position of singer at the court of the Byzantine emperor to become a monk on Mount Athos, in the north of Greece. At first, he sang only for the goats and the wild animals of the hills that gathered around him to listen, but when his talent was discovered, he was made choir master.

It is said that one day, after a long singing session during the vigil of the Akathist hymn—a ceremony of praise to the Mother of God before her icon, held on the fifth Saturday of Lent—St John fell asleep in his stall. The Virgin appeared to him and said: “Sing for me and I will not abandon you,” then put a gold coin in his hand. When he woke up, he saw that the coin was real!

John Koukouzelis is one of the great hymnographers, or composers of sacred music, of the Orthodox Church. His liturgical contribution is very important. The monastery’s icon of the Mother of God before whom he sang and meditated, is called Panagia Koukouzelissa, after the name of her beloved singer. Her feast is celebrated on October 1st, the same day as her hymnographer’s feast. 

Mount Athos website