APOLYTIKION (ἀπολυτικίον). — It is a troparion, that is, a brief strophic hymn, which in the Greek liturgy is generally sung at the end of an office. It usually summarizes in brief, rhythmic words the subject of the mystery or the salient virtues of a saint.
BIBL.: J. B. Pita, Hymnographie de l'Eglise Grecque, Rome 1867; Sp. Lauriotes, Ἀπολυτήρια καὶ Κοντιάκια τοῦ θλιανῶν τοῦ, Athens 1929; E. Pantelakes, Τὰ Ἀπολυτήρια τῶν Μηναίων, Athens 1933. Placido de Mecster