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'''Kontakion''' (also ''kondakion'', ''kondak'', and ''kontak''; plural ''kontakia'') is a type of thematic hymn in the [[Orthodox]] [[Church]] and other Eastern [[Christian]] churches. Originally, the kontakion was an extended [[homily]] in verseconsisting of one or two proemia (preliminary stanzas) followed by several strophes, usually between 18 and 24. The kontakia were so long that the text was rolled up on a pole for use in the services -- which is the genesis of the nam Kontakion, which means "from the pole" in Greek. It is typical of the form that each of the proemia and strophes end with the same refrain. Acrostics are also a hallmark of this hymnographic form.  In current practice, only the kontakion has been greatly abbreviated. Only the (first stanza ) proemium and first strophe are sung or read after the sixth ode of the [[ikoscanon]] at [[orthros]] are sung, when they are appointed. It The kontakion thus abbreviated is not sung at [[vespers]], but it is sung at most of the other services of the day.  According to tradition, Saint [[Roman the Melodist]] wrote the first kontakion, the Kontakion for the [[Nativity|Birth]] of Our Lord, by divine inspiration. Legend aside, Roman established the kontakion in the form it retained for centuries, and he is the most famous composer of kontakia.