Three Byzantine Saints Reunited with St Stephen - The Treasures of Byzantium

Akathistos by Nick Bicât - Performed by Cantata Dramatica with dancers from Middlesex University

“Chaire numphe anumpheute!” (Hail unwedded bride) sang out Pulcheria (Frances M Lynch) as she led her sister-in-law Eudocia (Hannah Scott) and Melania the Younger (Rhian Davies) around the altar at St Stephen Walbrook on 30th January 2019 at the opening of Akathistos by Nick Bicât. The piece was performed as part of ‘Treasures of Byzantium’ by Cantata Dramatica in aid of the charity Lepra. The community choir of St Stephen Walbrook was invited to join with the chorus at key points in the text. Whilst the performance was a world premiere, it wasn’t the first time that these three female saints from Byzantium had been associated with a church dedicated to St Stephen; disputes about their various claims on the relics of the first Christian martyr continued even after their deaths.