Gloria in Excelsis Deo

"Gloria in excelsis Deo" (Latin for "Glory to God in the highest") is the title and beginning of a hymn known also as the Greater Doxology (as distinguished from the "Minor Doxology" or Gloria Patri) and the Angelic Hymn.Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (Oxford University Press 2005 ISBN 978-0-19-280290-3), article "Gloria in Excelsis"]

The name is often abbreviated to Gloria in Excelsis or simply Gloria.

It is an example of the "psalmi idiotici" ("private psalms", i.e. compositions by individuals in imitation of the Biblical Psalter) that were popular in the second and third centuries. Other surviving examples of this lyric poetry are the Te Deum and the Phos Hilaron. [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06583a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: "Gloria in Excelsis Deo"] ]

History

The hymn begins with the words that the angels sang when the birth of Christ was announced to shepherds in :Glory to God in the highest.:And on earth peace to men of good will.

:We praise Thee. :We bless Thee. :We adore Thee. :We glorify Thee.:We give thanks to Thee for Thy great Glory.

:O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty. :O Lord the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. :O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father. :Thou who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. :Thou who takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. :Thou who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. :For Thou only art Holy. :Thou only art the Lord. :Thou only, O Jesus Christ, art Most High. :With the Holy Ghost, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

ICET ecumenical version (1975) [ [http://www.umanitoba.ca/colleges/st_pauls/ccha/Back%20Issues/CCHA1977/Somerville.html Stephen Somerville] ] :Glory to God in the highest:and peace to his people on earth.:Lord God, heavenly King,:Almighty God and Father,::we worship you, we give you thanks,::we praise you for your glory.:Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,:Lord God, Lamb of God,:you take away the sin of the world:::have mercy on us;:You are seated at the right hand of the Father:::receive our prayer.:For you alone are the Holy One,:you alone are the Lord,:you alone are the Most High,::Jesus Christ, ::with the Holy Spirit,::in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople New Rome, Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain [ [http://www.anastasis.org.uk/mat-sun.htm Matins for Sundays and Feasts] ] :Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill among men.:We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory.:Lord, King, God of heaven, Father almighty: Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit.:Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world.:Receive our prayer, you who sit on the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us.:For you alone are holy, you alone are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Orthodox Church of America (late twentieth century) [ [http://en.liturgy.ru/nav/utrena/utren15.php Church Services from Russian Orthodox Church (English texts)] ] :Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men.:We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory. :O Lord, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty; O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and O Holy Spirit.:O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sin of the world; have mercy on us;:Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer;:Thou that sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.:For Thou only art holy; Thou only art the Lord, O Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (late twentieth century) [ [http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/liturgical_texts/SUNDAYORTHROS.asp The Service of the Sunday Orthros] ]

:Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill to all people.:We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, we give thanks to you for your great glory.:Lord, King, heavenly God, Father, almighty; Lord, the only‑begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit.:Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, you who take away the sins of the world.:Receive our prayer, you who sit at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us.:For you only are holy, only you are Lord:Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

ICEL (2007) [ [http://www.wyd2008.org/index.php/en/content/download/115841/1121285/file/Parish%20Setting% WYD08 Mass Parish Setting - Keyboard] ]

:Glory to God in the highest,:and on earth peace to people of good will.:We praise you,:we bless you,:we adore you,:we glorify you,:we give you thanks for your great glory,:Lord God, heavenly King,:O God, almighty Father.:Lord Jesus Christ, Only-begotten Son,:Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,:you take away the sins of the world,:have mercy on us;:you take away the sins of the world,:receive our prayer.:you are seated at the right hand of the Father,:have mercy on us.:For you alone are the Holy One,:you alone are the Lord,:you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,:with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.:Amen.

References

ee also

*Great Doxology
*Phos Hilaron
*Te Deum

External links

* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06583a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: "Gloria in Excelsis Deo"]