Abstract:
On our observation in the “Martyrdom of the Nine Children
from Kola” by an unknown writer is given the oldest model of
Georgian ecclesiastical chant. The priest sang an improvised chant while christening the children. This kind of chant has already
been forbidden since the 4th century AC.
The chant sung by the priest while christening is ended by
the “Alleluia”, and is mentioned in it only twice. The fact is wellknown
that after the definition of the trinity dogma at the First
Council of Nicaea we meet designation of “Alleluia” three times
in the psalms of the Hebrew king David. Consequently, “The
Martyrdom of the Nine Children from Kola” is written before the
First Council of Nicaea that was held in 325.
The oldest Georgian ecclesiastical hymn is made in the age
of the early Christianity, so influence of the structure of pagan
hymns are revealed on it. Despite of a strong prohibition Christians
of early Christianity couldn’t deny pagan belief and art straightway.
In the oldest hagiographic work- the “Martyrdom of the
Nine Children from Kola” the author used repetition of the word
- “Alleluia” twice that was almost similar with the structural elements
of the pagan hymns.
