 According to legend, Romanus was not at first considered to be either a talented reader or singer.He was, however, loved by the Patriarch of Constantinople because of his great humility.Once, around the year 518, while serving in the Church of the Panagia at Blachernae, during the All-Night Vigil for the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, he was assigned to read the kathisma verses from the Psalter.