A '''Kontakion''' (also ''kondakion'' , ''kondak'', and ''kontak''; plural ''kontakia'', ''kondakia'') is a type of thematic [[hymn ]] in the [[Orthodox]] [[Church]] and other Eastern [[Introduction to Orthodox Christianity|Christian]] churches. Originally, the kontakion was an extended [[homily]] in verseconsisting of one or two proemia (preliminary stanzas) followed by several strophes called ''oikoi'' (also ''ikoi''; singular ''oikos'', ''ikos''), usually between 18 and 24. In current practice, only The kontakia were so long that the text was rolled up on a pole for use in the services -- the first stanza and genesis of the [[ikos]] are sungname kontakion, when they are appointedwhich means "from the pole" in Greek. It is not sung at [[vespers]], but it is sung at most typical of the other services form that each of the dayproemia and strophes end with the same refrain. Acrostics are also a hallmark of this hymnographic form.