Gr. Ch. [med. Gr. κοντάκιον, in sense 1 taken to mean ‘roll, scroll,’ being dim. of κόνταξ shaft, itself dim. of κοντός ‘shaft, pole,’ also ‘a wooden roll round which a MS. was rolled’ (Dict. Chr. Antiq.). In sense 2, identified with the same word by the legend that tells how Romanus was inspired to compose these hymns by the eating of a roll or scroll (κοντάκιον); but some think this merely a popular etymology, and would connect the name with κοντός short; others have suggested a corruption of L. canticum song.]
1. A name given to the volume containing the liturgies of St. Basil, St. Chrysostom, and of the Præsanctified, in distinction from the larger service-book, the Euchologion.
1875. Dict. Chr. Antiq.
2. A short ode or hymn in praise of a saint which occurs in the offices of the Eastern Church. The invention of these is traditionally ascribed to St. Romanus c. A.D. 500.
1866. Campion & Beaumont, Prayer-bk. Interleaved, 315. Christmas Day: third Antiphon: Contakion. The Virgin to day bears the supernatural.
