CYRILIUS

Cyrilius was the world's first composer of sophisticated music. Upon his death, he became known as the "Father of Music".

Early Life
Cyrilius was born in the year 4577 to Caparius, a seafarer, and Plinia, a stage actress who loved to sing. Plinia formed a special bond with Cyrilius, singing lullabies and sonnets to him when he was young. As there had not yet been a formal composer in Anim's history, these melodies were simple and usually improvised. Cyrilius loved his mother's voice but was absolutely enamored by the songs she sang. He began hoping to sing in plays with her but in 4593, Caparius converted to the Ankoric Church and forbid his family from indulging in such "secular" entertainment. Thereafter, Cyrilius resorted to imagining music in his head. When he turned 17, his mother, acknowledging his talent, gave him a lyre.

After three years, Cyrilius began finding methods to write down the music he created on his lyre. On parchment, he would mark each note he struck according to a scale. This, though unbeknownst to him, was the world's first attempt at music notation.

Calling as a Musician
A decade later, Ankor Himself appeared to Cyrilius in a dream, commanding him to write music so that His people might worship Him in song. Anathwe, the Nalor of creative inspiration, stood beside the Allfather, though he remained silent. Cyrilius awoke enlightened and, at a furious pace, set himself to the writing of sacred music set to ancient psalms. At this time, Ankoric worship services consisted of a reading of the Sacred Mandate, selected passages from the holy canon, and a sermon delivered by a priest. Each high elder had prohibited the use of music in worship, as it was seen as secular and even vulgar. Before Cyrilius, music was mainly as a means of inciting sexual vigor during pagan orgies, as entertainment in brothels, taverns, and inns, and occasionally stage plays. Never before had any sophisticated music reached the ears of mankind in Anim's history.

Advocating for Music as Worship
Cyrilius worked industriously, nevertheless, not only as a composer but also as a poet and lay theologian. At the age of 38, he was ordained as a priest in the Ankoric Church and made many attempts to incorporate music in worship. But each time, his congregation asked him to cease and even threatened to report him to the elders of the church. Frustrated, Cyrilius traveled to the holy city Caelrim, where the high elder and elders were convening to write a creed concerning their collective beliefs. He proposed to them that a number of ancient psalms be set to music and sung by willing congregations. But as they had not yet been acquainted to his works and knew music only as a means of sin, they adamantly denied him. Dispirited, Cyrilius retreated a small chapel in the city and sung his poems, expressing his grief to Ankor for giving him such a seemingly impossible task. The elders, however, heard him from afar and were moved to tears, for they had never heard anything so beautiful. They hurried into the chapel and praised his music, declaring that it should not only be permitted but encouraged as a form of worship. Cyrilius rejoiced and returned home eager to continue composing for his God.

"Father of Music" and Later Life
Cyrilius inspired many across all of Elator and Poliim to compose their own sacred songs for use in worship, and his notation system allowed them to share their music universally from congregation to congregation. Even secular musicians would come to acknowledge Cyrilius' achievements, deeming him the "father of music".

Later in life, Cyrilius was so revered that he was appointed by High Elder Docimus to serve the Ankoric Church as an elder. Later, at the ripe age of 73, he was elected by the priestly body to oversee the church as its high elder upon Docimus' death. In all that he did, he conducted himself well and was regarded as a virtuous leader. He died at the age of 87 in 4664, having lived a long and fruitful life dedicated to the worship of Ankor. His successor, Reginus III, ensured the survival and honor of his legacy and continued the use of music in worship.

Musical Output
Cyrilius wrote a massive volume of music, all of which were designed either for worship or instrumental training. By the time of his death, he had completed 306 works and left another 53 unfinished.

Musical Style
Nearly all of Cyrilius' music was written a capella, as instruments were rare in his day and musicians rarer. Nevertheless, he loved to compose for his lyre and wrote a number of pieces for it.