EARLY HYMNS & PRAYERS
T o sup p leM eNT the ancient Christian teachings in the Didache, we have included below a selection
of early Christian hymns and prayers, dating to the frst few generations of the Church. Timeless in
their beauty, many of these are still used and still inspire Christians today.
GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST
1st – 3rd century
glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men.
We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, we give thanks to you for your
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, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
You who take away the sins of the world, accept our prayer.
You who sit at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
For you alone are holy, you alone are the Lord, O Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
MORNING HYMN
1st – 3rd century
e ve ry day I will bless you; I will praise your name forever; yes, forever and ever.
In your goodness, O Lord, keep me from sin today.
You are blessed, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
Your name is praised and glorifed forever. Amen.
EVENING HYMN
1st – 2nd century
ojoy ful Light of the holy glory of the immortal Father,
the heavenly, the holy, the blessed Jesus Christ,
now that we have come to the setting of the sun, and see the light of evening,
we praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: God.
It is right at all times to worship you with joyful voices,
O Son of God and Giver of life: For which the whole world glorifes you.
DIDACHE 16
EASTER HYMN
2nd – 3rd century
c hrisT is risen: Hades is in ruins.
Christ is risen: the demons are fallen.
Christ is risen: the angels rejoice.
Christ is risen: the tombs are empty.
Christ is risen from the dead indeed,
the frst among those who have fallen asleep.
Glory and power are his forever and ever. Amen.
ANAPHORA HYMN
2nd – 3rd century
holy, holy, holy Lord of Hosts,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest!
COMMUNION HYMN
4th century
T his is his blood, who took fesh of the holy Virgin: Jesus Christ.
This is his blood, who was born of the God-bearing holy one: Jesus Christ.
This is God’s blood, who was seen by men and from whom demons fed: Jesus Christ.
This is his blood, who ofered himself a sacrifce for our sins: Jesus Christ.
A PRAYER OF THE
NEWLY–BAPTIZED
4th century
alM ighTy God, Father of Christ your Son, give me a clean body, a pure heart, a watchful mind, and
knowledge free from error. May your Holy Spirit come to me and bring me truth—yes, to the fullness of truth—through your Christ. The glory is yours, through him, in the Holy Spirit, forever and ever
and ever. Amen.
PRAYER OF ST. IGNATIUS
AT HIS MARTYRDOM
ad 107
I aM the wheat of God. May I be ground up by the teeth of the wild beasts until I become the fne bread
of Christ. My sinful passions are crucifed, there is no burning in my fesh. A stream murmurs and
fows deep down inside me. It says: Come to the Father.
DIDACHE 17
DOXOLOGY
y ou are due praise,
You are due hymns,
You are due glory:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Forever and ever and ever.
Amen.
glory To god for all ThiNgs
aM e