Saint Romanus the Melodist.
Saint Romanus flourished during the reign of Anastasius (491–518). He was from Emesa of Syria, and apparently was born of Jewish parents, for a hymn written in his honor in Greek says he was “of Hebrew stock,” and it has furthermore been noted that he uses many Semitic idioms in his writings. He was baptized an Orthodox Christian, and at some time became a deacon in the Church of Beirut. He was the first composer of the kontakia, the foremost of which is that of the feast of Christ’s Nativity, On this day the Virgin . . . . In composing many of his kontakia, Saint Romanus was inspired by the hymns of Saint Ephraim of Syria.
The above account is taken from the Great Horologion,
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