Phos Hilaron

Phos Hilaron (Φως 'Ιλαρον) is an ancient Christian hymn originally written in New Testament Greek. The hymn is known in English as 'Hail Gladdening Light,' or 'Go, Gladsome Light.' It is the earliest known Christian hymn, recorded outside of the Bible, that is still being used today. The hymn is featured in the vespers of the Byzantine liturgy used by the Orthodox and Eastern Rite Catholic traditions, as well as being included in some modern Anglican liturgies.

Origins

The song is first recorded by an unknown author in the Constitutiones Apostolicae which was written in the late 3rd or early 4th Century A.D. It is found in a collection of songs to be sung in the morning, in the evening, before meals, and at candle lighting. Phos Hilarion is to be sung at the lighting of candles in the evening and so is sometimes known as the 'Candle-light Hymn'. Despite some of the words to the other three songs being from Scripture or in one case dated to around 150 AD, Phos Hilarion is the first to be considered an actual hymn in the modern sense. It is certainly the first complete example. It is far more rhythmic than the others and is divided into twelve verses varying between five, six, eight, nine, ten and eleven syllables a verse. Basil the Great (329?-379A.D.) spoke of the singing of the Phos hilaron as a cherished tradition of the church, the hymn being already considered old in his day (though some attribute the composition of the song to St Basil himself).

At that time in Jerusalem a candle was kept perpetually burning in the empty tomb of Christ, its glow a symbol of the living light of Jesus. As Christians gathered to worship the hymn was sung and, in a tradition known as the lighting of the lamps, the candle was brought forth from the tomb, its bright, solitary flame calling the church to celebrate the Risen Lord.

St. Athenogenes, a saint of unknown date but whose saints day is 16th July, is believed by some to have composed this hymn on the way to being martyred. He is often depicted as an elderly bishop with the executioner's arm paralyzed until the saint has completed his song. The Roman Martyrology states: "In Pontus, the birthday of Saint Athenogenes, [is celebrated, he was] an aged theologian, who, when about to consummate his martyrdom by fire, sang a hymn of joy, which he left in writing to his disciples." He is probably identical to the bishop who suffered at Sebaste, Armenia, with ten disciples under Diocletian on July 16; therefore estimating his death as around 305 A.D.

St. Sophronius of Jerusalem (634-638 A.D), who was known for his poetry, is believed to have revised the hymn.

It was translated into English by the Romantic poet John Keble in 1834, and most famously put to music by Charles Wood in 1912. Another translation was made by the 19th-century U.S. poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. More recently it has been used in the album Passion: Hymns ancient and Modern where an additional song based on the Greek text was also included. Because of this it has seen a revival in Contemporary Christian Music circles.

Lyrics

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.

English

Original English Lyrics - John Keble

Hail, gladdening Light, of His pure glory poured
Who is th'immortal Father, heavenly, blest,
Holiest of Holies--Jesus Christ our Lord!

Now we are come to the Sun's hour of rest;
The lights of evening round us shine;
We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine!

Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung
With undefiled tongue,
Son of our God, giver of life, alone:
Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own. Amen.

Modified English lyrics

by Chris Tomlin; David Crowder; Louie Giglio

'Joyous Light' (Hail Gladdening Light - Revised)

Hail Gladdening Light, sun so bright
Jesus Christ, end of night, alleluia
Hail Gladdening Light, Eternal Bright
In evening time, 'round us shine, alleluia, alleluia

Hail Gladdening Light, such joyous Light
O Brilliant Star, forever shine, alleluia, alleluia

Chorus: We hymn the Father, we hymn the Son
We hymn the Spirit, wholly Divine
No one more worthy of songs to be sung
To the Giver of Life, all glory is Thine.

Musical settings

• Sebaste by Sir John Stainer (1840-1901).
• St Gabriel by Rev. Sir F. A. G. Ouseley (1825-1889).
• Christ Church by Rev E. S. Medley (1838-19--).
• Anthem by Geoffry Turton Shaw (1879-1943).
• Op.28 by Craig Sellar Lang (1891-1972).

External links

• The Episcopal Church's Liturgy & Music site
• Catholic Encyclopedia - Hymnology article
• attributes the hymn to Basil, and mentions St Sophronius's revision
• Encyclopædia Britannica - claims it is as old as AD 200 or earlier.
• ChoralWiki - lyrics attributed to Keble - music score provided.
• Listen to the Chris Tomlin version
• Geoffry Shaw's Anthem score
• sheet music for Lang's Op.28
• listen to the Craig Sellar Lang version
• listen to John Rutter conducting the Charles Wood composition