Phos Hilaron

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Phos Hilaron (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 Gladsome 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-rite Catholic traditions, as well as being included in some modern Anglican liturgies.

Contents

[edit] 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 Hilarion is to be sung at the lighting of candles in the evening and so is sometimes known as the 'Candle-light Hymn'. Despite some of the words to the other three songs being from Scripture or in one case dated to around 150 AD, Phos Hilarion 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 candle 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, the candle 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 saints 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 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.

[edit] Modern usage

[edit] Eastern/Oriental Orthodoxy

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

[edit] Anglicanism

The hymn was translated into English by John Keble, one of the leaders of the Oxford Movement, 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 by Louis Bourgeois and appeared in a number of hymnals.

At the time the Anglican service of Evening Prayer did 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 pslams appointed for the day.

[edit] Contemporary Christian music

The hymn also appeared in the album Passion: Hymns Ancient and Modern 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.

[edit] Lyrics

[edit] Greek

Φώς 'ιλαρόν αγίας δόξης αθανάτου Πατρός, ουρανίου, αγίου, μάκαρος, Ιησού Χριστέ, ελθόντες επί τήν ηλίου δύσιν, ιδόντες φώς εσπερινόν, υμνούμεν Πατέρα, Υιόν, καί άγιον Πνεύμα, Θεόν, Αξιόν σε εν πάσι καιροίς υμνείσθαι φωναίς αισίαις, Υιέ Θεού, ζωήν ο διδούς, διό ο κόσμος σέ δοξάζει.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Slavonic

[edit] 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.

[edit] English

[edit] 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 we have come to the setting of the sun and behold the light of evening. We praise God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. For it is right at all times to worship Thee with voices of praise, O Son of God and Giver of Life, therefore all the world glorifies Thee.[citation needed]

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] by Robert Bridges

O gladsome light, O grace
Of God the Father's face,
The eternal splendor 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Musical settings

[edit] External links

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