IDIOMELO (Ἰδεύμελων). – It is a troparion or poetic strophe composed with a specific number of syllables and with its own rhythm and melody, which does not serve as a model or prototype for others. In this it differs from the troparia called προσήλαια, because these follow the modulation of another troparion. The finest i. in Byzantine hymnography are found in the vespers of the Sundays of Lent.
BIBL.: J. B. Pitra, Hymnographie de l'Église grecque, Roma 1867, p. 22 and passim; W. Christ-M. Paranikas, Anthologia graeca carminum christianorum, Lipsia 1871; E. Bouvy, Poètes et mélodies, Nîmes 1886; G. I. Papadopulo, Συμβολαι εἰς τὴν ἱστορίαν τῆς παρ' ἡμῖν ἐκκλησιαστικῆς μονοικῆς, Atene 1890. Placido de Meester