"TO THE DEFENDERS" OF CONSTANTINOPLE

Today in history the Orthodox world is observing the Fall of Constantinople on May 29 in 1453. In a separate posting we are commemorating the event with a concert of the Orchestra Estoudiantina of Neo Ionia led by musician and composer Andreas Katsigiannis (link). Here we mark the occasion with a couple of interesting recordings of "Ti Ypermachon', which is seen as the Hymn of Constantinople, addressed to the All Holy Mother of God who interceded many times to keep the City safe. The other is a song by Nektaria Karantzi lamenting the fall of the beloved City which was such a harrowing experience in the history of the Graeco-Roman and Orthodox world, that brought a final end to almost 1500 years of Romiosini. 

July 27, 2020 Τη Υπερμάχω (Ti Ypermacho - "To the Defender" sung by Marios Frangoulis.

Τῇ Yπερμάχῳ Στρατηγώ

Τῇ ὑπερμάχῳ στρατηγῷ τὰ νικητήρια,

ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια,

ἀναγράφω σοι ἡ Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε.

Ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον,

ἐκ παντοίων με κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον,

να κράζω σου: Χαῖρε, Νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε

To the Defender Army

To the defender army leader(all) the jubilees

entitled to You by Your city, God-bearer

in gratitude we express for being saved from woes

as You keep the state invincible,

deliver me from all kinds of perils,

so that I can exclaim to You: Rejoice, Unwed Bride 

Sometime in 1983 the Greek actress Irini Pappas (IMdb) traveled to the City and visited the Holy Church of Agia Sophia where she secretly sang the anthem "Ti Hypermacho", at the risk of being arrested by the Turkish authorities. The shocking document was rebroadcast in 2001. Watch the eery video document!

April 29, 2021 Irini Pappas sings "To the Defender" in Agia Sophia (1983). 

We recently posted on a number of Orthodox prophecies detailing more interesting facts and legends about the City and its role in future wars. Check it here (link). 

April 27, 2020 Adoration of the Cross: Lament for Constantinople: Γιατί πουλί μ’ δεν κελαηδείς (Why my bird do you don't sing) by Nektaria Karantzi.

Γιατί πουλί μ΄ δεν κελαηδείς

πως κελαηδούσες πρώτα 

Για πώς μπορώ να κελαηδώ

Με κόψαν τα φτερούδια μου 

με πήραν τη λαλιά μου 

Μας πήρανε μπρ’ αμάν την Πόλη μας 

Μας πήρανε μπρ’ την Πόλη μας 

την Πόλη μας 

και την Αγια-Σοφιά μας 

Κλαίγει πικράν η Παναγιά

Why my bird do you don't sing 

how you sang first

How can I sing 

My wings have been cut

they took my voice

They took our City 

They took our City

our City

and our Agia Sophia

The All Holy Mother of God is crying bitterly

#Rom365, May 28, 1453,
CONSTANTINOPLE, THE LAST FULL DAY
The last full day in the main part of the Roman Empire, (the other territories being the Despotate of #Morea, the Empire of #Trebizond and Principality of #Theodoro) before the Turk occupation of #Constantinople. pic.twitter.com/bYPwvkuWvY

— 365 Constantinople Days (@365RomanDays) May 28, 2024

#Rom365, MAY 29, 1453,
THE FALL OF #CONSTANTINOPLE The Turks broke through the walls to begin their occupation of the capital of the Roman Empire, history shows they are still there in the present day. Last known existence of EMPEROR CONSTANTINE XI, no solid facts on his fate. pic.twitter.com/mgSghlv460

— 365 Constantinople Days (@365RomanDays) May 29, 2024

Today is 571 years since the Fall of #Constantinople - In 1453 the Ottomans massacred, killed, raped, enslaved, desecrated & pillaged the city. Today #Christian communities are still being persecuted around the world!#Constantinople #Byzantine #Reclaim1453

🎥: @GreekReporter pic.twitter.com/nUl0YTodWL

— Jim Mellas (@jimmellas) May 29, 2024

There sleeps the Marbled King, until the day when he will awake. pic.twitter.com/gh8YFWwuqg

— Ictinus ®️ (@ictinus_x) May 29, 2024

 

Fun fact

Pre Christian Greek coin (1st century BC) from the city of Byzantion (Latin Byzantium, later Constantinople). It depicts the goddess Artemis on one side and the name ΒΥΖΑΝΤΙΩΝ with crescent moon and star on the obverse. The crescent moon and star were the symbol of the city from antiquity. 

 

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