A solis ortus cardine
Encyclopedia
A solis ortus cardine is a Latin poem by Coelius Sedulius
(died circa 450), narrating Christ's life from His birth to His resurrection. Its 23 verses each begin with a consecutive letter of the alphabet, making the poem an Abecedarius
. It is the basis for two hymns in the Roman Catholic liturgy, both later adapted by Martin Luther
.
The first seven verses, with a doxology
verse by a different writer, were used from the early Middle Ages onwards as a Christmas hymn. They write of the striking contrast between the grandeur and omnipotence of the Word of God (the second person in the Holy Trinity) and the vulnerable humanity of the child in whom the Word became flesh. Luther translated this into the hymn Christum wir sollen loben schon, which long remained the main German Protestant Christmas hymn until the 1995 Evangelisches Gesangbuch hymnal, in which it did not appear. It was also the basis for the Bach cantata Christum wir sollen loben schon
.
Verses 8, 9, 11 and 13 of Sedulius' poem were also used, with an added doxology, as Hostis Herodes impie, a hymn for the Epiphany. These verses narrate the story of Herod the Great
and the Three Kings, along with the Baptism of Christ and the miracle at the wedding at Cana
. Luther's translation of this hymn into German, as Was fürchtst du, Feind Herodes, sehr, has long fallen out of use. The German-language Book of Hours
also gives a translation of the verses 1, 2, 6 and 7 by Sedulius, plus a doxology, as Vom hellen Tor der Sonnenbahn.
In the Catholic Liturgy of the Hours
the eight verse A solis ortus and the five verse Hostis Herodes appear in the Latin original. Their early-church melody dates to the 5th century, beginning in the Dorian Mode
and ending in the Phrygian Mode
. The three-time boost to the highest note is obvious from the high arc of the ecliptic. Its numerous embellishments were later simplified, though most of them survive, even in Luther's versions. An almost syllabic version is in use in the modern Catholic liturgy.
Coelius Sedulius
Coelius Sedulius, was a Christian poet of the first half of the 5th century. He is termed a presbyter by Isidore of Seville and in the Gelasian decree....
(died circa 450), narrating Christ's life from His birth to His resurrection. Its 23 verses each begin with a consecutive letter of the alphabet, making the poem an Abecedarius
Abecedarius
An abecedarius is an acrostic in which the first letter of every word, strophe or verse follows the order of the alphabet. Abecedarius is also a generic term for an alphabet book, which dates back to Biblical writings such as the Psalms, which used successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet as the...
. It is the basis for two hymns in the Roman Catholic liturgy, both later adapted by Martin Luther
Martin Luther
Martin Luther was a German priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517...
.
The first seven verses, with a doxology
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...
verse by a different writer, were used from the early Middle Ages onwards as a Christmas hymn. They write of the striking contrast between the grandeur and omnipotence of the Word of God (the second person in the Holy Trinity) and the vulnerable humanity of the child in whom the Word became flesh. Luther translated this into the hymn Christum wir sollen loben schon, which long remained the main German Protestant Christmas hymn until the 1995 Evangelisches Gesangbuch hymnal, in which it did not appear. It was also the basis for the Bach cantata Christum wir sollen loben schon
Christum wir sollen loben schon, BWV 121
Christum wir sollen loben schon , BWV 121, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed the chorale cantata in Leipzig for the Second Day of Christmas and first performed it on 26 December 1724....
.
Verses 8, 9, 11 and 13 of Sedulius' poem were also used, with an added doxology, as Hostis Herodes impie, a hymn for the Epiphany. These verses narrate the story of Herod the Great
Herod the Great
Herod , also known as Herod the Great , was a Roman client king of Judea. His epithet of "the Great" is widely disputed as he is described as "a madman who murdered his own family and a great many rabbis." He is also known for his colossal building projects in Jerusalem and elsewhere, including his...
and the Three Kings, along with the Baptism of Christ and the miracle at the wedding at Cana
Marriage at Cana
In Christianity, the transformation of water into wine at the Marriage at Cana or Wedding at Cana is the first miracle of Jesus in the Gospel of John....
. Luther's translation of this hymn into German, as Was fürchtst du, Feind Herodes, sehr, has long fallen out of use. The German-language Book of Hours
Book of Hours
The book of hours was a devotional book popular in the later Middle Ages. It is the most common type of surviving medieval illuminated manuscript. Like every manuscript, each manuscript book of hours is unique in one way or another, but most contain a similar collection of texts, prayers and...
also gives a translation of the verses 1, 2, 6 and 7 by Sedulius, plus a doxology, as Vom hellen Tor der Sonnenbahn.
In the Catholic 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...
the eight verse A solis ortus and the five verse Hostis Herodes appear in the Latin original. Their early-church melody dates to the 5th century, beginning in the Dorian Mode
Dorian mode
Due to historical confusion, Dorian mode or Doric mode can refer to three very different musical modes or diatonic scales, the Greek, the medieval, and the modern.- Greek Dorian mode :...
and ending in the Phrygian Mode
Phrygian mode
The Phrygian mode can refer to three different musical modes: the ancient Greek tonos or harmonia sometimes called Phrygian, formed on a particular set octave species or scales; the Medieval Phrygian mode, and the modern conception of the Phrygian mode as a diatonic scale, based on the latter...
. The three-time boost to the highest note is obvious from the high arc of the ecliptic. Its numerous embellishments were later simplified, though most of them survive, even in Luther's versions. An almost syllabic version is in use in the modern Catholic liturgy.
External links
- Full poem by Sedulius
- Adaptation by Martin Luther: Christum wir sollen loben schon (Verses 1-7 and Doxology)
- Adaptation by Martin Luther: Was fürchtst du, Feind Herodes, sehr (Verses 8, 9, 11, 13 and Doxology)
- Free translation by Peter Gerloff (Verses 1, 2, 6, 7 and Doxology)
- Text of Bach cantata 121