Venerable Cosmas the Hymnographer, Bishop of Majuma

Cosmas was an orphan adopted by the father of John of Damascus; the two boys were taught by a learned monk, also named Cosmas, whom the family had ransomed from captivity. Cosmas became a monk at the Lavra of St Sabas near Jerusalem and supported John in the defence of icons.

He was one of the great hymnographers of the Byzantine Church: he wrote canons for Holy Week, for the raising of Lazarus and for great feasts, among them the Nativity canon that opens “Christ is born, glorify Him”. The Patriarch of Jerusalem made him bishop of Maiuma near Gaza c. 743. He died in old age; the church calendar gives c. 787, while many historians prefer an earlier date.