The Ancient Ecclesiastical Hymn in “The Martyrdom of Nine Children from Kola” by an Unknown Author

As there is not much material about the Early Christian literature and liturgy, the discovery of an ancient ecclesiastical hymn in a Georgian hagiographic work “Tsminda kolalel krmata tsameba” (The Martyrdom of Nine Children from Kola) by an unknown author that was written in the 2nd-3rd centuries and its analysis is a significant issue for the history of Christianity in general. The hymn chanted by the priest at the baptism of the children is improvised and carries the signs of folk and Biblical hymns and reveals similarity with the structure of the antiphonic hymns established in the liturgical practice during the period of Early Christianity. According to the Georgian folk tradition, pagans dedicated hymns to gods, cults, significant events. For the most part, hymns represent glorification or praise and end with the word “Glory!” (“Glory to you!”). As for the biblical tradition, the Psalms of King David also end with “Alleluia,” which means “praise to God.” The hymn chanted by the priest at the baptism of the children from Kola also ends with “Alleluia.” In his improvised hymn, which should be considered as part of the liturgy of that time, the priest glorifies the episode of Christ’s baptism.