Cherubikon

Throughout the centuries the cherubikon (‘Οἱ τὰ χερουβίμ’; ‘Hoi ta cherubim’), also called the ‘mystical hymn’, has been set to music by a great number of composers, because its text as well as its theme is particularly well suited for choral music. The cherubikon was first mentioned by the historian Georgios Kedrenos (11th-12th century), who states that it was sung during mass from 573/74 onwards. Kedrenos goes on to tell that it was emperor Iustinos II (565-578) who decreed that the cherubikon as well as the ‘Cenae tuae’/ ‘Tu deipnu su’ (that is the chant which replaces the cherubikon on Maundy Thursday) are to be sung during mass, though he does not name either a composer of the...