Phos Hilaron

"Phos Hilaron" (polytonic|Φῶς Ἱλαρόν) is an ancient Christian hymn originally written in New Testament Greek. The hymn is known in English as 'Hail Gladdening Light' or 'O Resplendent Light'. It is the earliest known Christian hymn recorded outside of the Bible that is still being used today. The hymn is featured in the vespers of the Byzantine liturgy used by the Orthodox and Eastern Catholic traditions, as well as being included in some modern Anglican and Lutheran liturgies.

Origins

The song is first recorded by an unknown author in the "Apostolic Constitutions" which was written in the late 3rd or early 4th Century A.D. It is found in a collection of songs to be sung in the morning, in the evening, before meals, and at candle lighting. Phos Hilaron is to be sung at the lighting of lamps in the evening and so is sometimes known as the 'Lamp-lighting Hymn'. Despite some of the words to the other three songs being from Scripture or in one case dated to around 150 A.D., Phos Hilaron is the first to be considered an actual hymn in the modern sense. It is certainly the first complete example. It is far more rhythmic than the others and is divided into twelve verses varying between five, six, eight, nine, ten and eleven syllables a verse. Basil the Great (329?-379A.D.) spoke of the singing of the Phos Hilaron as a cherished tradition of the church, the hymn being already considered old in his day (though some attribute the composition of the song to St Basil himself).

At that time in Jerusalem a lamp was kept perpetually burning in the empty tomb of Christ, its glow a symbol of the living light of Jesus. As Christians gathered to worship the hymn was sung and, in a tradition known as the lighting of the lamps, a candle lit from the lamp was brought forth from the tomb, its bright, solitary flame calling the church to celebrate the Risen Lord.

St. Athenogenes, a saint of unknown date but whose saint's day is 16th July, is believed by some to have composed this hymn on the way to being martyred. He is often depicted as an elderly bishop with the executioner's arm paralyzed until the saint has completed his song. The "Roman Martyrology" states: "In Pontus, the birthday of Saint Athenogenes, [is celebrated, he was] an aged theologian, who, when about to consummate his martyrdom by fire, sang a hymn of joy, which he left in writing to his disciples." He is probably identical to the bishop who suffered at dn|Sebaste, Armenia, with ten disciples under Diocletian on July 16; therefore estimating his death as around 305 A.D.

St. Sophronius of Jerusalem (634-638 A.D), who was known for his poetry, is believed to have revised the hymn.

Modern usage

Orthodox Christian|Eastern/Oriental Orthodoxy

The Phos Hilaron is a fixed part of the Orthodox vespers service, immediately preceding the Prokeimena.

Anglicanism

The hymn was translated into English by John Keble, one of the leaders of the Oxford Movement within Anglicanism, in 1834. This version was used in Charles Wood's famous eight part anthem of 1912. Another translation was made by the 19th-century U.S. poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and a translation by Robert Bridges was set to music composed by Louis Bourgeois and appeared in a number of hymnals.

At the time the Anglican service of Evening Prayer did not call for the use of the hymn, though it could be sung at those points in the service which provided for the singing of a hymn or anthem. More recently, however, it has been incorporated as a fixed part of the liturgy. The 1979 American Book of Common Prayer prescribes it as the invitatory canticle immediately preceding the psalms appointed for the day.

Contemporary Christian music

The hymn also appeared in the album where an additional song based on the Greek text was also included. Because of this it has seen a revival in Contemporary Christian Music circles.

Lyrics

Greek

"Original Ancient Text"

Φῶς ἱλαρὸν ἁγίας δόξης ἀθανάτου Πατρός, οὐρανίου, ἁγίου, μάκαρος, Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, ἐλθόντες ἐπὶ τὴν ἡλίου δύσιν, ἰδόντες φῶς ἐσπερινόν, ὑμνοῦμεν Πατέρα, Υἱόν, καὶ ἅγιον Πνεῦμα, Θεόν. Ἄξιόν σε ἐν πᾶσι καιροῖς ὑμνεῖσθαι φωναῖς αἰσίαις, Υἱὲ Θεοῦ, ζωὴν ὁ διδούς· διὸ ὁ κόσμος σὲ δοξάζει.

"Transliteration"

Phos hilaron aghias dóxis, athanátou Patrós, ouraníou aghiou mákaros, Iisoú Hristé, elthontes epí tin ilíou dysin, idóntes phos esperinón, hymnoumen Patéra, Yión, kai ághion Pnevma, Theón, Axion se en pási kairoís hymneisthai, phonés aisíais, Yié Theoú, zoín o didoús, dió o kósmos se doxázei

"Demotic Greek"

Kύριε Ιησού Χριστέ, πού είσαι το γλυκό φως τής αγίας δόξας του αθάνατου, του ουράνιου, του άγιου, του μακάριου Πατέρα σου, τώρα πού φτάσαμε στη δύση του ήλιου και είδαμε το εσπερινό φως, υμνούμε τον Πατέρα, εσένα τον Υιό και το Άγιο Πνεύμα, τον ένα Θεό. Πρέπει σε κάθε ώρα και στιγμή να σε υμνούμε με καθαρές ψυχές και χαρούμενες φωνές, Υιέ Θεού γιατί εσύ δίνεις τη ζωή και γι' αυτό ο κόσμος σε δοξάζει.

Latin

Iucunda lux tu gloriae, fons luminis de lumine, beate Iesu caelitus a Patre sancto prodiens. Fulgor diei lucidus solisque lumen occidit, et nos ad horam vesperam te confitemur cantico. Laudamus unicum Deum, Patrem potentem, Filium cum Spiritu Paraclito in Trinitas gloria. O digne linguis qui piis lauderis omni tempore, Fili Dei, te saecula vitae datorem personent. Amen.

lavonic

used by the Russian Orthodox Church at vespers

"Свете Тихий святыя славы, безсмертнаго Отца небеснаго, святаго блаженнаго, Иисусе Христе: пришедше на запад солнца, видевше свет вечерний, поем Отца, Сына, и Святаго Духа, Бога. Достоин еси во вся времена пет быти гласы преподобными, Сыне Божий, живот даяй: темже мир тя славит.

English

translation used by the Orthodox Church in America at vespers

"O Gladsome Light of the Holy Glory of the Immortal Father, Heavenly, Holy, Blessed Jesus Christ! Now that we have come to the setting of the sun and behold the light of evening, we praise God Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For meet it is at all times to worship Thee with voices of praise. O Son of God and Giver of Life, therefore all the world doth glorify Thee.

Another version used at Orthodox Vespers:O Gladsome Light of the holy glory / of the Immortal Father, / heavenly, holy, blessed, O Jesus Christ.

Having Come to sunset / and beholding the evening light, we hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: God.

Meet it is at all times that thou be hymned / with fitting voices, O Son of God, thou Giver of Life; wherefore the world doth glorify thee.

alternative (more literal) translation used by the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

"O Joyful Light of the holy glory of the immortal, heavenly, holy blessed Father, O Jesus Christ. Having come to the setting of the sun, having beheld the evening light, we hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God. Meet it is at all times to hymn Thee with reverend voices, O Son of God, Giver of Life, wherefore the whole world doth glorify Thee.

As sung in the Ruthenian Catholic Church [ [http://www.metropolitancantorinstitute.org/Publications2.html Metropolitan Cantor Institute] ]

O Joyful Light of the holy glory of the Father Immortal, the heavenly, holy, blessed One, O Jesus Christ, now that we have reached the setting of the sun, and see the evening light, we sing to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (+). It is fitting at all times to raise a song of praise in measured melody to you, O Son of God, the Giver of Life. Therefore, the universe sings your glory.

As Used in the Melkite Catholic Church

Oh, Joyful Light, of the Holy Glory of the Father Immortal. Heavenly, Holy, Blessed, Jesus Christ, since we have come, to the setting of the sun, and have seen the evening light, we praise God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (+). It is proper for you to be praised at all times by fitting melody. Oh, Son of God, Giver of Life, wherefore the world glorifies You.

by William Storey, as used in the [Roman Catholic] [Liturgy of the Hours] for the [Office of the Dead]

"O radiant light, O sun divine"
"Of God the Father's deathless face,"
"O image of the light sublime"
"That fills the heav'nly dwelling place."

"Lord Jesus Christ, as daylight fades,"
"As shine the lights of eventide,"
"We praise the Father with the Son,"
"The Spirit blest and with them one."

"O Son of God, the source of life,"
"Praise is your due by night and day;"
"Unsullied lips must raise the strain"
"Of your proclaimed and splendid name."

by John Keble

"Hail, gladdening Light, of His pure glory poured"
"Who is th'immortal Father, heavenly, blest,"
"Holiest of Holies--Jesus Christ our Lord!"

"Now we are come to the sun's hour of rest;"
"The lights of evening round us shine;"
"We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine!"

"Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung"
"With undefiled tongue,"
"Son of our God, giver of life, alone:"
"Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, thy own. Amen."

by Robert Bridges

"O gladsome light, O grace"
"Of God the Father's face,"
"The eternal splendour wearing;"
"Celestial, holy, blest,"
"Our Saviour Jesus Christ,"
"Joyful in thine appearing."

"Now, ere day fadeth quite,"
"We see the evening light,"
"Our wonted hymn outpouring;"
"Father of might unknown,"
"Thee, his incarnate Son,""And Holy Spirit adoring."

"To thee of right belongs"
"All praise of holy songs,"
"O Son of God, Lifegiver;"
"Thee, therefore, O Most High,"
"The world doth glorify,"
"And shall exalt forever."

From the 1979 American Book of Common Prayer

O gracious Light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.

Anglican Use of the Roman Rite

O gracious Light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing thy praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Thou art worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
and to be glorified though all the worlds.

From the Vespers (Evening Prayer) service in the Lutheran Book of Worship, Lutheran Worship, and Lutheran Service Book

Joyous light of glory of the immortal Father,
Heavenly, holy, blessed Jesus Christ,
We have come to the setting of the Sun
And we look to the evening light.
We sing to God, the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy of being praised with pure voices forever.
O Son of God, O Giver of Light,
The universe proclaims your glory.

Korean Anglican Church

은혜로운 빛이여, 하늘에 계시며 영원하신 성부의 찬란한 빛이여,거룩하시고 복되시도다. 주 예수 그리스도여!해 저무는 이 때에, 우리는 황혼 빛을 바라보며, 주님께 찬양의 노래를 부르나이다.하느님, 성부 성자 성령이여!주님은 언제나 찬양 받으시기에 합당하시오니,생명을 주시는 하느님의 성자여, 온 세상으로부터 영광 받으소서.

Musical settings

*"O gladsome light, O grace" by Robert Bridges, to "Le Cantique de Siméon (Nunc Dimittis)".
*"Sebaste" by Sir John Stainer (1840-1901).
*"St Gabriel" by Rev. Sir F. A. G. Ouseley (1825-1889).
*"Christ Church" by Rev E. S. Medley (1838-19--).
*Anthem by Charles Wood (1866-1926).
*Anthem by Geoffry Turton Shaw (1879-1943).
*"Op.28" by Craig Sellar Lang (1891-1972).
*"Svete tihki" from Sergei Rachmaninoff's "All-Night Vigil

External links

* [http://www.ecusa.anglican.org/19625_15026_ENG_HTM.htm The Episcopal Church's Liturgy & Music site]
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07596a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia - Hymnology article]
* [http://www.chattablogs.com/aionioszoe/archives/013381.html attributes the hymn to Basil, and mentions St Sophronius's revision]
* [http://0-www.search.eb.com.library.uor.edu/eb/article-9041781 Encyclopædia Britannica] - claims it is as old as AD 200 or earlier.
* [http://www.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/Hail,_Gladdening_Light_(Charles_Wood) ChoralWiki] - lyrics attributed to Keble - music score provided.
* [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001BS3KW Listen to the Chris Tomlin version]
* [http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0000D35ZX Geoffry Shaw's Anthem score]
* [http://www.musicroom.com/se/ID_No/025549/details.html sheet music for Lang's Op.28]
* [http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0000249V4 listen to the Craig Sellar Lang version]
* [http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/1116542/a/Hail,+gladdening+Light+%2F+John+Rutter,+Cambridge+Singers.htm listen to John Rutter conducting the Charles Wood composition]

References