Ecce sacerdos magnus

Ecce sacerdos magnus is an antiphon and a responsory from the common of confessors in the Liturgy of the Hours and in the Graduale Romanum.

Its words are, "Ecce sacerdos magnus, qui in diebus suis, placuit Deo, which means, "behold the great priest, who in his days, pleased God".

In certain cases, those words are followed by: et inventus es iustus (meaning, and has been found just).

In others , the response is: Non est inventus similis illi, qui conservaret legem excelsi (no one has been found to be like him in the keeping of the laws of the Most High).

The following is a complete text and translation of a different version, which may be used at the procession of a bishop at a solemn celebration of ordination:

"Ecce sacerdos magnus, qui in diébus suis plácuit Deo Ideo jure jurando fecit illum Dóminus crescere in plebem suam.Benedictiónem ómnium géntium dedit illi, et testaméntum suum confirmávit super caput ejus.Ideo jure jurando fecit illum Dóminus crescere in plebem suam.Gloria patri et filio et spiritui sancto."

Behold a great priest who in his days pleased the Lord: Therefore by an oath the Lord assured him that he would increase him among his people.To him he gave the blessing of all nations and confirmed his covenant upon his head.Therefore by an oath the Lord assured him that he would increase him among his people.Glory to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

The priest mentioned in the song refers to Christ, the high priest, in whose place the bishop stands.

It has been often set to music by composers, including Anton Bruckner and Edward Elgar.