Difference between revisions of "Magnificat"

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The '''''Magnificat''''' is a canticle usually sung during the Sunday [[Matins]] service before the ''[[irmos]]'' of the ninth ode of the [[Canon|canon]].  It is taken from the words the [[Theotokos]] is reported to have said to describe the experience of being pregnant with [[Jesus]]. Shortly after being informed by [[Gabriel the Archangel|archangel Gabriel]] of her holy pregnancy, according to the [[Bible|Biblical]] account, Mary the Theotokos visited her cousin [[Elisabeth]] the wife of [[Zechariah]] (herself pregnant at the time with [[John the Baptist]]); and in response to Elizabeth's salutation she spoke the words of the Magnificat, which accordingly appears in the [[Gospel of Luke]], 1:46-55.
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The '''Magnificat''', also called the ''Song of the Theotokos'', is a [[hymn]] taken from the words of the [[Theotokos]]. Shortly after the [[Annunciation]] of [[Archangel Gabriel]] to the Theotokos, she visited the wife of [[Zachariah]], her cousin [[Elizabeth]], who was herself pregnant with [[John the Baptist]]; in response to Elizabeth's salutation, Mary spoke the words of the Magnificat, which accordingly appear in the [[Gospel of Luke]], 1:46-55.
  
 
==Text==
 
==Text==
Although like other [[New Testament]] texts the Magnificat was originally written in Greek, in the [[Roman Catholic Church|Western Church]] is most often to be found in Latin or the vernacular. Its name comes from the first word of the Latin version.
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Although the Magnificat was originally written in Greek, like other [[New Testament]] texts, it is often found in Latin or the vernacular. Its name comes from the first word of the Latin version.  The words often compared to the Prayer of Hannah ([[I Kingdoms|1 Sam.]] 2:1-10).
  
English (Book of Common Prayer):
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:''My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
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:''For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
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:''For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.
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:''And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
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:''He has shown strength with His arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
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:''He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.
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:''He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.''<sup>[http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/liturgical_texts/ignatius_matins.asp]</sup>
  
:My soul doth magnify the Lord: and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
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It is accompanied by a refrain that is sung between the verses, called the ''[[megalynarion]]'': 
:For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden; For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
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:''More honorable than the [[cherubim]], and more glorious beyond compare than the [[seraphim]], without corruption you gave birth to God the [[Logos|Word]]: true [[Theotokos]], we magnify you.
:For he that is mighty hath magnified me: and holy is his name; And his mercy is on them that fear him throughout all generations.
 
:He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
 
:He hath put down the mighty from their seat and hath exalted the humble and meek; He hath filled the hungry with good things and the    rich he hath sent empty away.
 
:He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel: as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, for ever.
 
  
It is accompanied by a refrain that is sung between the verses: 
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==Use==
:"More honorable than the [[Cherubim]], and more glorious beyond compare than the [[Seraphim]], without corruption thou gavest birth to God the [[Logos|Word]]: true [[Theotokos]], we magnify thee."
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The Magnificat is sung during the Sunday [[Orthros]] service following the eighth ode of the [[canon]], and, with the ''Song of Zachariah'', makes up the ninth ode of the canon.
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The megalynarion (the refrain above) also appears as part of the hymn "It is truly meet" (''Axion estin'') which is sung during [[Divine Liturgy]] during the [[Eucharist]]ic Prayer as the [[priest]] commemorates the [[saint]]s.
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==Sources==
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*[[wikipedia:Magnificat|''Magnificat'' on Wikipedia]]
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*[http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/liturgical_texts/ignatius_matins.asp Matins service] ([[GOARCH]])
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==External links==
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*[http://www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/departments/outreach/gl-My%20Soul%20Magnifies%20the%20Lord%20Paris.doc "My Soul Magnifies the Lord" (DOC)] A Sermon by Fr. Thomas J. Paris (GOARCH)
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*[http://directionstoorthodoxy.org/mod/gallery/view-gallery.php?gallery_id=35 "Advent"] a photo-gallery of [[icon]]s of the Theotokos with verses from the Magnificat
  
 
[[Category: Liturgics]]
 
[[Category: Liturgics]]

Revision as of 17:52, May 4, 2006

The Magnificat, also called the Song of the Theotokos, is a hymn taken from the words of the Theotokos. Shortly after the Annunciation of Archangel Gabriel to the Theotokos, she visited the wife of Zachariah, her cousin Elizabeth, who was herself pregnant with John the Baptist; in response to Elizabeth's salutation, Mary spoke the words of the Magnificat, which accordingly appear in the Gospel of Luke, 1:46-55.

Text

Although the Magnificat was originally written in Greek, like other New Testament texts, it is often found in Latin or the vernacular. Its name comes from the first word of the Latin version. The words often compared to the Prayer of Hannah (1 Sam. 2:1-10).

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.
And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.
He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.[1]

It is accompanied by a refrain that is sung between the verses, called the megalynarion:

More honorable than the cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word: true Theotokos, we magnify you.

Use

The Magnificat is sung during the Sunday Orthros service following the eighth ode of the canon, and, with the Song of Zachariah, makes up the ninth ode of the canon.

The megalynarion (the refrain above) also appears as part of the hymn "It is truly meet" (Axion estin) which is sung during Divine Liturgy during the Eucharistic Prayer as the priest commemorates the saints.

Sources

External links