O Joyous Light - Ancient Melody

2nd Mode, chanted by Fr. Dositheos, ancient melody.

The Phos Ilaron (O Joyous Light) is the oldest known Christian hymn. Writing in the 300s, Saint Basil called it one of the oldest and most beloved hymns of his time. It is chanted at sunset during Vespers, as the oil lamps are lit to replace the waning Sun. This hymn has also been adopted by several protestant groups, such as Lutherans and Methodists.

O Joyous Light of the holy glory of the immortal, heavenly, holy, blessed Father, O Jesus Christ: we that come to the setting of the Sun, when we behold the evening light, praise father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God.
Meet it is for Thee at all times to be praised with gladsome voices, O Son of God, Giver of Life, wherefore the world doth glorify Thee.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• orthodox
• christian
• greek
• chant
• joyous
• gladsome
• light
• vespers
• dositheos
• religion

[mkl62]

I am an ELCA Lutheran from South Carolina. Tonight (March 13), I attended a Lent service at a local Lutheran Church. We sang Joyous Light of Heavenly Glory. It is a 3rd Century Greek Hymn, paraphrased by Marty Haugen, who also composed the tune to it, JOYOUS LIGHT. It is #561 in Evangelical Lutheran Worship.

[LiturgicalChants]

This may be the oldest melody we have of the oldest christian hymn.

Though John Sakellarides composition is popular and memorable, this original melody sung by Fr Dositheos is the most beautiful for me. In this I hear pure oral tradition uninterrupted by any later musical theories. This is something to cherish, I can never forget it. It is early christianity for the 21st century.