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.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 . Other verses were added very early, forming a doxology, which in the fourth century became part of morning prayers, and is still recited in the Byzantine Rite Orthros service.
The Latin translation is traditionally attributed to Saint Hilary of Poitiers (c. 300-368), who may have learned it while in the East (359-360). The Vulgate Latin translation of the Bible was commissioned only in 382.Encyclopaedia Britannica Online, article Vulgate The Latin hymn thus uses the word excelsis to translate the Greek word ὑψίστοις (the highest) in , not the word altissimis, which Saint Jerome preferred for his translation.
==Present-day Greek text==
:Δόξα ἐν ὑψίστοις Θεῷ καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς εἰρήνη ἐν ἀνθρώποις εὐδοκία.
:Ὑμνοῦμέν σε, εὐλογοῦμέν σε, προσκυνοῦμέν σε, δοξολογοῦμέν σε, εὐχαριστοῦμέν σοι, διὰ τὴν μεγάλην σου δόξαν.
:Κύριε Βασιλεῦ, ἐπουράνιε Θεέ, Πάτερ παντοκράτορ, Κύριε Υἱὲ μονογενές, Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, καὶ Ἅγιον Πνεῦμα.
:Κύριε ὁ Θεός, ὁ ἀμνὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, ὁ Υἱός τοῦ Πατρός, ὁ αἴρων τὴν ἁμαρτίαν τοῦ κόσμου, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς, ὁ αἴρων τὰς ἁμαρτίας τοῦ κόσμου.
:Πρόσδεξαι τὴν δέησιν ἡμῶν, ὁ καθήμενος ἐν δεξιᾷ τοῦ Πατρός, καὶ ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς.
:Ὅτι σὺ εἶ μόνος Ἅγιος, σὺ εἶ μόνος Κύριος, Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, εἰς δόξαν Θεοῦ Πατρός. Ἀμήν.
:Καθ' ἑκάστην ἡμέραν εὐλογήσω σε, καὶ αἰνέσω τὸ ὄνομά σου εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα καὶ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος.
:(Verses follow that vary according to whether the celebration is on a Sunday or a weekday.)ΟΡΘΡΟΣΟΡΘΡΟΣ ΕΝ ΤΑΙΣ ΚΥΡΙΑΚΑΙΣ
: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.
:Each day we bless you, and we praise your name forever and to the ages of ages.The Service of the Sunday Orthros
==Present-day Latin text==
:Glória in excélsis Deo
:et in terra pax homínibus bonae voluntátis.
:Laudámus te,
:benedícimus te,
:adorámus te,
:glorificámus te,
:grátias ágimus tibi propter magnam glóriam tuam,
:Dómine Deus, Rex cæléstis,
:Deus Pater omnípotens.
:Dómine Fili Unigénite, Iesu Christe,
:Dómine Deus, Agnus Dei, Fílius Patris,
:qui tollis peccáta mundi, miserére nobis;
:qui tollis peccáta mundi, súscipe deprecatiónem nostram.
:Qui sedes ad déxteram Patris, miserére nobis.
:Quóniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus Dóminus, tu solus Altíssimus,
:Iesu Christe, cum Sancto Spíritu: in glória Dei Patris. Amen.Missale Romanum 2002, p. 510 (electronic text)
:Glory be to God on high.
:And in earth peace towards men of good will.
:We praise thee.
:We bless thee.
:We worship 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 Jesu Christ.
:O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father.
:Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
:Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.
:Thou that sittest at the right of the Father, have mercy upon us.
:For thou only art Holy. Thou only art the Lord. Thou only art the Most High.
:Thou only, O Jesu Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art Most High in the glory of God the Father. Amen.The Ordinary of the Mass according to the English Missal 
==Liturgical use==
 
===Byzantine Rite===
In the Byzantine Rite (used by the Eastern Orthodox and Greek Catholics), the Gloria is referred to as the Doxology, and there are two forms: the Greater Doxology and the Lesser Doxology. The Greater Doxology is always sung, whereas the Lesser Doxology is read. There are certain textual differences between the two, and the order is somewhat altered in the two forms.
The Greater Doxology is used in the Orthros (Matins) on Sundays and feast days. The Lesser Doxology is used at Matins on simple weekdays and at the Apodeipnon (Compline), but not in the Divine Liturgy. 
===Roman Rite===
By contrast, in the Roman Rite this hymn is not included in the Liturgy of the Hours, but is sung or recited in the Mass, after the Kyrie, on Sundays outside of Lent and Advent and on solemnities and feasts.
In the Church of England Book of Common Prayer of 1549, it was used in the same position as in the Roman Rite, but was later moved to the end of the service, immediately before the concluding blessing. After revisions in 1552 and 1662, this was for centuries the official prayer book of the Anglican Communion, but the Common Worship provides two Orders, in one of which the hymn is in the earlier position. The American Prayer Book of 1928 allowed the hymn to be used in Evening Prayer.
The hymn is used also in the Divine Service of the Lutheran Church and in the services of many other Christian churches.
A tradition recorded in the Liber Pontificalis attributes to Pope Telesphorus (128–139?) the use of the hymn at the Mass of Christmas Day and to Pope Symmachus (498-514) its use on Sundays and the feasts of martyrs, but only by bishops; the right to use it was later extended to priests, at first only at Easter and on the day of their ordination, but by the end of the eleventh century priests, as well as bishops, used it in the Mass on Sundays and feasts outside of Lent and Pre-Lent. After the twelfth century Advent began to be considered a penitential period in imitation of Lent, to the exclusion therefore of the Gloria in excelsis Deo.
==Associated ritual==
===Roman Rite===
In the Tridentine Mass, the priest is instructed, when saying the opening phrase "Gloria in excelsis Deo", to extend his hands and raise them to shoulder height and, at the word "Deo", to join them and bow his head. He is then to continue the recitation standing erect with hands joined and bowing his head to the cross at the words "Adoramus te", "Gratias agimus tibi", "Iesu Christe" (twice), and "Suscipe deprecationem nostram", and at the concluding phrase (as also at the concluding phrase of the Nicene Creed and the Sanctus), to make a large sign of the cross on himself.Ritus servandus in celebratione Missae, IV, 3 (page LVI of the1962 typical edition) At High Mass the priest intones the opening phrase, while the deacon and subdeacon stand behind him; then they join him at the altar and together with him quietly recite the rest of the hymn,Ritus servandus in celebratione Missae, IV, 7 (page LVI of the 1962 typical edition) after which they sit down and wait for the choir to finish its singing of the same text.
The Roman Missal as revised in 1970 simplifies this, saying: "The Gloria is intoned by the priest or, if appropriate, by a cantor or by the choir; but it is sung either by everyone together, or by the people alternately with the choir, or by the choir alone. If not sung, it is to be recited either by all together or by two parts of the congregation responding one to the other."General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 53 No particular ritual gestures are prescribed.
 
===Byzantine Rite===
In the usage of the Eastern Orthodox Church and those Eastern Catholic Churches which follow the Byzantine Rite, the Great Doxology is one of the high points of the festal Matins service. The priest will put on his phelonion (chasuble). When it comes time for the Great Doxology the deacon opens the Holy Doors, and the priest raises his hands orans and exclaims: "Glory to Thee, Who hast shown us the Light!", and the choir begins chanting the Doxology, while all of the oil lamps and candles in the temple are lit. The Great Doxology concludes with the chanting of the Trisagion and leads into the chanting of the Troparion of the Day. If the bishop is present he will vest in his full pontifical vestments for the Great Doxology, and the subdeacons will stand behind the Holy Table (altar) holding the lit dikirion and trikirion. 
When the Lesser Doxology is called for, it is simply said be the reader, the priest does not put on his phelonion, the Holy Doors remain closed and no lamps or candles are lit. The Lesser Doxology does not end with the Trisagion and is followed by an ektenia (litany).
==Musical settings==
The Gloria has been and still is sung to a wide variety of melodies. Modern scholars have catalogued well over two hundred of them.Definitions for Medieval Christian Liturgy The Roman Missal indicates several different plainchant melodies. In addition, several "farced" Glorias were composed in the Middle Ages and were still sung in places when the Roman Missal was revised by order of Pope Pius V in 1570. These expanded the basic Gloria by, for instance, adding to mentions of Jesus Christ a mention of some relationship between him and his mother. The use of these additional phrases in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary was so common that in editions of the Roman Missal earlier than the 1921 revision, the text of the Gloria was followed by the rubric: "Sic dicitur Gloria in excelsis Deo, etiam in Missis beatæ Mariæ, quando dicenda est" (When the Gloria in excelsis Deo is to be recited, it is recited in this way, even in Masses of Blessed Mary).See, for instance, page 216 of the 1862 printing by Pustet
Almost all polyphonic settings of the Mass include the Gloria. In addition, there are settings for the Gloria alone, including: 
*Gloria (Vivaldi), RV 589, and the less famous Gloria RV 588.
*Gloria (Poulenc)
*Gloria (Rutter)
* A setting of the Gloria by Handel for solo soprano, lost and then discovered at the end of the twentieth century.The Newly Discovered Musical Composition by Handel
There are also many musical settings of translations of the Gloria into various languages.
The Gloria has encouraged the writing of popular hymns such as Angels We Have Heard on High, Glory to God, Angels from the Realms of Glory, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, and While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks. It also features prominently in the popular song "Silence" by Delerium credited to be one of the best trance songs of all time,
===Media===
==Some English translations==
Book of Common Prayer (1662)The Book of Common Prayer
:Glory be to God on high
:And on earth peace, goodwill towards men,
:We praise thee, we bless thee,
:we worship 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 Jesu Christ; 
:O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, 
:that takest away the sins of the world, 
:have mercy upon us.
:Thou that takest away the sins of the world, 
:have mercy upon us.
:Thou that takest away the sins of the world, 
:receive our prayer.
:Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, 
:have mercy upon us.
 
:For thou only art holy; 
:thou only art the Lord; 
:thou only, O Christ, 
:art most high 
:in the glory of God the Father.
:Amen.
St. Andrew Daily Missal (1952)
: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)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 BritainMatins 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)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)
: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)Roman Missal Formational MaterialWYD08 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==
==See also==
*Great Doxology
*Phos Hilaron
*Te Deum
==External links==
*Catholic Encyclopedia: Gloria in Excelsis Deo
Category:Eastern Christianity liturgy, rites, and worship
Category:Christian hymns
Category:Liturgy of the Hours
Category:Christian prayer
Category:Catholic liturgy
Category:Structure of the Mass
Category:Lutheran liturgy and worship
Category:Latin religious phrases
Category:Latin hymns
Category:Vulgate Latin words and phrases
bg:Gloria in excelsis Deo
ca:Gloria in Excelsis Deo
cs:Gloria
de:Gloria
et:Gloria in excelsis Deo
es:Gloria in excelsis
eo:Gloria
fr:Gloire à Dieu
ga:An Ghlóir
ko:대영광송
it:Gloria in excelsis Deo
la:Gloria in excelsis
lt:Gloria
hu:Nagy doxológia
nl:Gloria (mis)
no:Ære være Gud i det høyeste
nn:Gloria in Excelsis Deo
pag:Gloria
pl:Gloria in excelsis Deo
pt:Glória a Deus nas alturas
ru:Gloria in Excelsis Deo
sk:Gloria in Excelsis Deo
sv:Gloria in excelsis Deo
uk:Глорія (жанр)
zh:榮歸主頌