Phos hilaron

Hilaron Phos (Greek: Φῶς Ἱλαρόν ) is an early Christian hymn to Christ, which is called in German Heiteres light. He is already in the middle of the 2nd century detectable and in the Byzantine Orthodox Vespers liturgy still in use today. He is also part of the Old Catholic and Anglican celebration of Abendslobs (here in the translation by John Keble: Hail, gladdening Light or the 1979 Book of Common Prayer: " O gracious light" ). As Vesper Hymn to choose from it can also be found in the Roman Catholic Tagzeitenliturgie.

Wording

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.

Latin

Iucunda lux tu gloriae, fons luminis de lumine, beate Jesus caelitus a Patre sancto prodiens. Fulgor diei lucidus solisque volume occidit, et nos ad te Horam vesperam confitemur cantico. Laudamus Deum unicum, Patrem potent, filium cum Spiritu Paraclito in Trinity gloria. O digne linguis qui piis lauderis omni tempore, Fili Dei, saecula te vitae datorem Personent. Amen.

Translations

• Roman Catholic translation: Heiteres light from the stunning brightness of thy immortal, holy, blissful Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ. You glorify all creatures. Behold, we come with the sinking of the sun greet the friendly light of the evening, singing hymns to God the Father, the Son, and sing the Holy Spirit. You are worthy, that we celebrate you at all times with sacred hymns, Christ, Son of God, Bringer of life: you glorify the whole earth. Amen.
• Old Catholic and Orthodox translation: Joy Light holy glory of the immortal holy, blessed Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ. Arrived at the setting of the sun we see the Vesper light, sing hymns in the one God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. You are worthy, that we celebrate you at all times with holy songs, Son of God, primary source of life, so glorified the cosmos.