Glory Be to the Father
Encyclopedia
Gloria Patri, also known as Glory Be to the Father’ (or, colloquially, the “Glory Be”), is a doxology
, a short hymn
of praise to God
in various Christian
liturgies
. It is also referred to as the Minor Doxology (Doxologia Minor) or Lesser Doxology, to distinguish it from the Greater Doxology, the Gloria in Excelsis Deo
.
wording is as follows:
The earliest forms of the first part of this Trinitarian doxology are addressed to the Father through (διά) the Son and in (ἐν) or with (μετά) the Holy Spirit, but in the fourth century the custom of using and (καί) became universal among Catholics in reaction to Arian use of the prepositions to suggest subordinationism. In Greek, the second part became that given above, which is used by the Eastern Orthodox Churches (and the Eastern Catholic Churches of Byzantine Rite
) and by the Oriental Orthodox Churches.
According to Worship Music: A Concise Dictionary, the lesser doxology is of Syrian origin.
This form, as the cited sources show, is used by the Assyrian Church of the East
and the Chaldean Catholic Church
.
In 529 the Second Synod of Vasio in Gaul (modern (Vaison) said in its fifth canon that the second part of the doxology, with the words Sicut erat in principio, was used in Rome, the East, and Africa, and ordered it to be said likewise in Gaul. Writing in the 1909 Catholic Encyclopedia
, Adrian Fortescue, while remarking that what the synod said of the East was false, took the synod's decree to mean that the form originally used in the West was the same as the Greek form. From about the seventh century the present Roman Rite version became almost universal throughout the West.
The similarity between this version used in the then extreme west of the church and the Syrian version used in the extreme east is noteworthy.
The translations of semper as ever shall be, and in saecula saeculorum as world without end date from Cranmer's Book of Common Prayer
, and are most commonly found in Anglican usage, as well as the derivative usage of older Lutheran liturgical books.
In the contemporary usage of the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches, the following translation by the International Consultation on English Texts
(ICET) has been widely used since 1971:
This is the version found in the Roman Catholic Liturgy of the Hours used, for instance, in the United States, while the corresponding Divine Office used, for instance, in Australia, England and Wales, and Ireland has:
More recent Anglican usage has introduced a further variant (found in Common Worship
):
Especially in Anglican circles there are various alternative forms of the Gloria designed to avoid masculine language. The form included in Common Worship is:
The doxology has a different translation in the use of the English-speaking Orthodox and Greek-Catholic Churches, as following:
and the Eastern Catholic Churches, the Lesser Doxology is frequently used at diverse points in services and private prayers. Among other instances, it is said three times by the reader during the usual beginning
of every service, and as part of the dismissal
at the end. When it is used in a series of hymns it is chanted either before the last hymn or before the penultimate hymn. In the latter case, it is divided in half, the "Glory..." being chanted before the penultimate hymn, and "Both now..." being chanted before the final hymn (which is usually a Theotokion
).
In the Roman Rite
, the Gloria Patri is frequently chanted or recited in the Liturgy of the Hours
or Divine Office
(prayed by the clergy, many religious orders and congregations, and, more frequently since Vatican II, by laity as well), principally at the end of psalms and canticles and in the responsories. It also figures in the Introit
of the pre-1970 form of Mass
in the Roman Rite
. The prayer figures prominently in non-liturgical devotions, notably the rosary
, where "Glory be" is recited before the large beads (on which an "Our Father" is prayed) which separate the five sets of ten smaller beads, called decades, upon each of which a Hail Mary
is prayed.
Amongst Anglicans, the Gloria Patri is mainly used to conclude the singing or recitation of psalms and canticles at the Daily Offices of Morning and Evening Prayer
.
Lutherans
have historically added the Gloria Patri both after the chanting of the Responsorial Psalm and following the Nunc Dimittis
during their Divine Service, as well as during Matins
and Vespers
in the Canonical hours
. The Gloria Patri is also frequently used in evangelical Presbyterian churches. In Methodism
, the Gloria Patri (usually in the traditional English form above) is frequently sung to conclude the "responsive reading" that takes the place of the Office Psalmody.
Doxology
A doxology is a short hymn of praises to God in various Christian worship services, often added to the end of canticles, psalms, and hymns...
, a short hymn
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
of praise to God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
in various Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
liturgies
Liturgy
Liturgy is either the customary public worship done by a specific religious group, according to its particular traditions or a more precise term that distinguishes between those religious groups who believe their ritual requires the "people" to do the "work" of responding to the priest, and those...
. It is also referred to as the Minor Doxology (Doxologia Minor) or Lesser Doxology, to distinguish it from the Greater Doxology, the Gloria in Excelsis Deo
Gloria in Excelsis Deo
"Gloria in excelsis Deo" is the title and beginning of a hymn known also as the Greater Doxology and the Angelic Hymn. The name is often abbreviated to Gloria in Excelsis or simply Gloria.It is an example of the psalmi idiotici "Gloria in excelsis Deo" (Latin for "Glory to God in the highest")...
.
Greek version
The GreekGreek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
wording is as follows:
- ,
- Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
- Both now and always, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The earliest forms of the first part of this Trinitarian doxology are addressed to the Father through (διά) the Son and in (ἐν) or with (μετά) the Holy Spirit, but in the fourth century the custom of using and (καί) became universal among Catholics in reaction to Arian use of the prepositions to suggest subordinationism. In Greek, the second part became that given above, which is used by the Eastern Orthodox Churches (and the Eastern Catholic Churches of Byzantine Rite
Byzantine Rite
The Byzantine Rite, sometimes called the Rite of Constantinople or Constantinopolitan Rite is the liturgical rite used currently by all the Eastern Orthodox Churches, by the Greek Catholic Churches , and by the Protestant Ukrainian Lutheran Church...
) and by the Oriental Orthodox Churches.
Syrian version
- Shouha tababa, W-brona, W-ruha dqudsha,
- min’alam w’adamma L-’alam, Amen.
- Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
- from everlasting and for ever and ever (one translation)
- OR
- forever and ever. Amen (another translation).
According to Worship Music: A Concise Dictionary, the lesser doxology is of Syrian origin.
This form, as the cited sources show, is used by the Assyrian Church of the East
Assyrian Church of the East
The Assyrian Church of the East, officially the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East ʻIttā Qaddishtā w-Shlikhāitā Qattoliqi d-Madnĕkhā d-Āturāyē), is a Syriac Church historically centered in Mesopotamia. It is one of the churches that claim continuity with the historical...
and the Chaldean Catholic Church
Chaldean Catholic Church
The Chaldean Catholic Church , is an Eastern Syriac particular church of the Catholic Church, maintaining full communion with the Bishop of Rome and the rest of the Catholic Church...
.
Roman Rite Latin version
- Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto,
- Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
- Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
- As it was in the beginning, also now, and always, and to ages of ages. Amen.
In 529 the Second Synod of Vasio in Gaul (modern (Vaison) said in its fifth canon that the second part of the doxology, with the words Sicut erat in principio, was used in Rome, the East, and Africa, and ordered it to be said likewise in Gaul. Writing in the 1909 Catholic Encyclopedia
Catholic Encyclopedia
The Catholic Encyclopedia, also referred to as the Old Catholic Encyclopedia and the Original Catholic Encyclopedia, is an English-language encyclopedia published in the United States. The first volume appeared in March 1907 and the last three volumes appeared in 1912, followed by a master index...
, Adrian Fortescue, while remarking that what the synod said of the East was false, took the synod's decree to mean that the form originally used in the West was the same as the Greek form. From about the seventh century the present Roman Rite version became almost universal throughout the West.
Mozarabic Rite Latin version
-
- Gloria et honor Patri et Filio et Spiritui sancto
- in saecula saeculorum.
-
- Glory and honour to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
- for ages of ages.
The similarity between this version used in the then extreme west of the church and the Syrian version used in the extreme east is noteworthy.
English version
This doxology in the Anglican Churches is most commonly found in the following traditional form:- Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
- and to the Holy Ghost;
- As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
- world without end. Amen.
The translations of semper as ever shall be, and in saecula saeculorum as world without end date from Cranmer's Book of Common Prayer
Book of Common Prayer
The Book of Common Prayer is the short title of a number of related prayer books used in the Anglican Communion, as well as by the Continuing Anglican, "Anglican realignment" and other Anglican churches. The original book, published in 1549 , in the reign of Edward VI, was a product of the English...
, and are most commonly found in Anglican usage, as well as the derivative usage of older Lutheran liturgical books.
In the contemporary usage of the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches, the following translation by the International Consultation on English Texts
English Language Liturgical Consultation
The English Language Liturgical Consultation is a group of national associations of ecumenical liturgists in the English-speaking world. Their work has been concerned with developing and promoting common liturgical texts in English and sharing a common lectionary wherever possible...
(ICET) has been widely used since 1971:
- Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
- as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
This is the version found in the Roman Catholic Liturgy of the Hours used, for instance, in the United States, while the corresponding Divine Office used, for instance, in Australia, England and Wales, and Ireland has:
- Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
- As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
More recent Anglican usage has introduced a further variant (found in Common Worship
Common Worship
Common Worship is the name given to the series of services authorised by the General Synod of the Church of England and launched on the first Sunday of Advent in 2000. It represents the most recent stage of development of the Liturgical Movement within the Church and is the successor to the...
):
- Glory to the Father and to the Son
- and to the Holy Spirit;
- as it was in the beginning is now
- and shall be for ever. Amen.
Especially in Anglican circles there are various alternative forms of the Gloria designed to avoid masculine language. The form included in Common Worship is:
- Glory to God, Source of all being,
- Eternal Word and Holy Spirit;
- as it was in the beginning is now
- and shall be for ever. Amen.
The doxology has a different translation in the use of the English-speaking Orthodox and Greek-Catholic Churches, as following:
- Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
- now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Use
In the Eastern Orthodox Churches, the Oriental Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the EastAssyrian Church of the East
The Assyrian Church of the East, officially the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East ʻIttā Qaddishtā w-Shlikhāitā Qattoliqi d-Madnĕkhā d-Āturāyē), is a Syriac Church historically centered in Mesopotamia. It is one of the churches that claim continuity with the historical...
and the Eastern Catholic Churches, the Lesser Doxology is frequently used at diverse points in services and private prayers. Among other instances, it is said three times by the reader during the usual beginning
Usual beginning
The usual beginning is the series of prayers with which most Divine Services begin in the Eastern Orthodox Church and those Eastern Catholic Churches which follow the Byzantine Rite.-Normal form:...
of every service, and as part of the dismissal
Dismissal (liturgy)
The Dismissal is the final blessing said by a Christian priest or minister at the end of a religious service. In liturgical churches the dismissal will often take the form of ritualized words and gestures, such as raising the minister's hands over the congregation, or blessing with the sign of the...
at the end. When it is used in a series of hymns it is chanted either before the last hymn or before the penultimate hymn. In the latter case, it is divided in half, the "Glory..." being chanted before the penultimate hymn, and "Both now..." being chanted before the final hymn (which is usually a Theotokion
Theotokion
A Theotokion is a hymn to Mary, the Theotokos , which is read or chanted during the Divine Services of the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches....
).
In the Roman Rite
Roman Rite
The Roman Rite is the liturgical rite used in the Diocese of Rome in the Catholic Church. It is by far the most widespread of the Latin liturgical rites used within the Western or Latin autonomous particular Church, the particular Church that itself is also called the Latin Rite, and that is one of...
, the Gloria Patri is frequently chanted or recited in the Liturgy of the Hours
Liturgy of the hours
The Liturgy of the Hours or Divine Office is the official set of daily prayers prescribed by the Catholic Church to be recited at the canonical hours by the clergy, religious orders, and laity. The Liturgy of the Hours consists primarily of psalms supplemented by hymns and readings...
or Divine Office
Liturgy of the hours
The Liturgy of the Hours or Divine Office is the official set of daily prayers prescribed by the Catholic Church to be recited at the canonical hours by the clergy, religious orders, and laity. The Liturgy of the Hours consists primarily of psalms supplemented by hymns and readings...
(prayed by the clergy, many religious orders and congregations, and, more frequently since Vatican II, by laity as well), principally at the end of psalms and canticles and in the responsories. It also figures in the Introit
Introit
The Introit is part of the opening of the liturgical celebration of the Eucharist for many Christian denominations. In its most complete version, it consists of an antiphon, psalm verse and Gloria Patri that is spoken or sung at the beginning of the celebration...
of the pre-1970 form of Mass
Mass
Mass can be defined as a quantitive measure of the resistance an object has to change in its velocity.In physics, mass commonly refers to any of the following three properties of matter, which have been shown experimentally to be equivalent:...
in the Roman Rite
Roman Rite
The Roman Rite is the liturgical rite used in the Diocese of Rome in the Catholic Church. It is by far the most widespread of the Latin liturgical rites used within the Western or Latin autonomous particular Church, the particular Church that itself is also called the Latin Rite, and that is one of...
. The prayer figures prominently in non-liturgical devotions, notably the rosary
Rosary
The rosary or "garland of roses" is a traditional Catholic devotion. The term denotes the prayer beads used to count the series of prayers that make up the rosary...
, where "Glory be" is recited before the large beads (on which an "Our Father" is prayed) which separate the five sets of ten smaller beads, called decades, upon each of which a Hail Mary
Hail Mary
The Angelic Salutation, Hail Mary, or Ave Maria is a traditional biblical Catholic prayer asking for the intercession of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Hail Mary is used within the Catholic Church, and it forms the basis of the Rosary...
is prayed.
Amongst Anglicans, the Gloria Patri is mainly used to conclude the singing or recitation of psalms and canticles at the Daily Offices of Morning and Evening Prayer
Evening Prayer (Anglican)
Evening Prayer is a liturgy in use in the Anglican Communion and celebrated in the late afternoon or evening...
.
Lutherans
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
have historically added the Gloria Patri both after the chanting of the Responsorial Psalm and following the Nunc Dimittis
Nunc dimittis
The Nunc dimittis is a canticle from a text in the second chapter of Luke named after its first words in Latin, meaning 'Now dismiss...'....
during their Divine Service, as well as during Matins
Matins in Lutheranism
A typical order of Matins in Lutheranism is found in the Lutheran Service Book, the recently published hymnal of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod....
and Vespers
Vespers in Lutheranism
Vespers in Lutheranism is the evening prayer service in the Lutheran liturgies of the canonical hours. The word comes from the Greek εσπερινός and the Latin vesper, meaning "evening."-Order of Vespers:...
in the Canonical hours
Canonical hours
Canonical hours are divisions of time which serve as increments between the prescribed prayers of the daily round. A Book of Hours contains such a set of prayers....
. The Gloria Patri is also frequently used in evangelical Presbyterian churches. In Methodism
Methodism
Methodism is a movement of Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations, claiming a total of approximately seventy million adherents worldwide. The movement traces its roots to John Wesley's evangelistic revival movement within Anglicanism. His younger brother...
, the Gloria Patri (usually in the traditional English form above) is frequently sung to conclude the "responsive reading" that takes the place of the Office Psalmody.