An international work of Saint Louis University, The Sunday Website has had one and a half million page views in the last 16 months. It prepares site visitors for Sunday Mass and, since all three churches proclaim the same readings on many Sundays of the year, for Church of Ireland and Church of England Sunday liturgies also. It supplies the coming Sunday’s readings, prayers for contemplation on these readings, aspects of spirituality found in them, relevant background information and, finally, musical pieces being played by selected parishes in North America and England.
Click here for a podcast reflection on All Souls' Day.next Sunday's resources.
Click here for a podcast reflection on All Souls' Day.next Sunday's resources.
If you find this particular Website of the Week useful, do visit our Daily Prayer page, which features other rich prayer resources including morning and night prayer.
Rachmaninov's All-Night Vigil, Op. 37 (commonly known as the Vespers), is widely considered the pinnacle of Russian Orthodox choral music and a masterpiece of the 20th century. It is an a cappella work of profound beauty, deep spirituality, and exceptional technical demand.
Click on the image to hear Movement 12, the "great doxology", is triumphant, celebratory, and dramatically grand.
TRANSLATION OF TEXT
—St. Luke, 1:46–55 No. 12 Slava v vïshnih Bogu (The Great Doxology)
In terms of textual depth and musical complexity, the Great Doxology Slava v vïshnih Bogu stands out as the main hymn of the entire All-Night Vigil. Every Christian theme, from glorification and thanksgiving to repentance and supplication,is contained in the text of this ancient fourth-century hymn. As the hymn drives towards its culmination in the closing “Thrice-holy,” Rachmaninoff’s treatment of the chorus becomes truly orchestral, evoking images of bells.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace,
Good will toward 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 the Holy Spirit.
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
who takest away the sin of the world have mercy on us.
Thou who takest away the sin of the world, hear our prayer.
Thou who sits at the right hand of the Father,
have mercy on us.
For Thou alone art holy,
Thou alone art the Lord, Jesus Christ,
to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Every day I will bless Thee
and praise Thy name forever and ever.
Vouchsafe, O Lord,
to keep us this day without sin.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, God of our fathers,
and praised and glorified is Thy name forever. Amen.
Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us,
as we have set our hope on Thee.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord,
teach me Thy statutes. (3x)
Lord, Thou has been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, have mercy on me,
heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee.
Lord, I flee to Thee,
teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God;
for with Thee is the fountain of life,
and in Thy light we shall see light.
Continue Thy mercy on those who know Thee.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal,
have mercy on us. (3x)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Click on the image to hear Movement 12, the "great doxology", is triumphant, celebratory, and dramatically grand.
TRANSLATION OF TEXT
—St. Luke, 1:46–55 No. 12 Slava v vïshnih Bogu (The Great Doxology)
In terms of textual depth and musical complexity, the Great Doxology Slava v vïshnih Bogu stands out as the main hymn of the entire All-Night Vigil. Every Christian theme, from glorification and thanksgiving to repentance and supplication,is contained in the text of this ancient fourth-century hymn. As the hymn drives towards its culmination in the closing “Thrice-holy,” Rachmaninoff’s treatment of the chorus becomes truly orchestral, evoking images of bells.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace,
Good will toward 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 the Holy Spirit.
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
who takest away the sin of the world have mercy on us.
Thou who takest away the sin of the world, hear our prayer.
Thou who sits at the right hand of the Father,
have mercy on us.
For Thou alone art holy,
Thou alone art the Lord, Jesus Christ,
to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Every day I will bless Thee
and praise Thy name forever and ever.
Vouchsafe, O Lord,
to keep us this day without sin.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, God of our fathers,
and praised and glorified is Thy name forever. Amen.
Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us,
as we have set our hope on Thee.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord,
teach me Thy statutes. (3x)
Lord, Thou has been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, have mercy on me,
heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee.
Lord, I flee to Thee,
teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God;
for with Thee is the fountain of life,
and in Thy light we shall see light.
Continue Thy mercy on those who know Thee.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal,
have mercy on us. (3x)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.