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O Gladsome Light
The Phos Hilaron (Greek) ~ An Anthem in English for A Cappella SATB
Ver. 5 © 2003 Thomas Byron Parks ~ For Father John Matusiak, OCA
Christ
- Pantocrator, 'Ruler of all', Serbian monastery Hilandar, Mt.Athos,
13th century. *
In
the Orthodox Church the
liturgical
day begins in the evening with the setting of the sun. This practice
follows the Biblical account of creation: "And there was evening and
there was morning, one day" (Gen 1:5). This is the Vesperal Hymn. It
would be sung a Capella. Based on Isaiah 60:20, Rev. 21:25, it was
first referred to by St. Justin in 150 AD. It is believed that in 305
AD St.Anthenogenes the Martyr joyfully sang these words as he entered
the flames. Aside from Christian
hymns taken from the Bible itself, the earliest Christian hymn still in
use today is probably O Gladsome Light (Greek Φως 'Ιλαρον, Phos
Hilaron). Some say it is the oldest Hymn, after
"Hymn to the Holy
Trinity."
Click
here
to hear music as MP3
This has not been sung,, so instruments are used for voices. MIDI String Ensemble 1 for SATB)
If you use it, please send me a recording that I may use on this site, and for seeking publication.
These lines are from the Orthodox Church America's Vespers Liturgy:
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.
These optional lines are from the Orthodox Church in America's
Vespers Liturgy, but are not used in it.
(Text used bypermission of OCA.)
Christ is praised as the Light which illumines man's darkness,
the Light of the world and of the Kingdom of God
which shall have no evening.
This optional line, by Thomas Parks, is not part of the Orthodox Liturgy.
Thanks be to God, for He has given us His Gladsome Light!
For Vespers in the Orthodox Chrch in America, see:
http://www.oca.org/OCchapter.asp?SID=2&ID=61
*Source: http://ocf.org/OrthodoxPage/
This has not been sung,, so instruments are used for voices. MIDI String Ensemble 1 for SATB)
If you use it, please send me a recording that I may use on this site, and for seeking publication.
These lines are from the Orthodox Church America's Vespers Liturgy:
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.
These optional lines are from the Orthodox Church in America's
Vespers Liturgy, but are not used in it.
(Text used bypermission of OCA.)
Christ is praised as the Light which illumines man's darkness,
the Light of the world and of the Kingdom of God
which shall have no evening.
This optional line, by Thomas Parks, is not part of the Orthodox Liturgy.
Thanks be to God, for He has given us His Gladsome Light!
For Vespers in the Orthodox Chrch in America, see:
http://www.oca.org/OCchapter.asp?SID=2&ID=61
*Source: http://ocf.org/OrthodoxPage/