Hymns of the Early Church

The earliest Christian hymns which are not contained in the New Testament date from before 300 CE and are from both the Greek and Latin traditions.

Hymns in the Greek tradition (see GREEK HYMNODY)

[Gloria in Excelsis Deo - originally from the Greek]
Phos Hilaron
Trisagion

Listen to an early Greek Christian hymn: Oxyrhincus Hymn

Hymns in the Latin Tradition (see LATIN HYMNODY)

Gloria in Excelsis Deo
Sanctus
Te Deum
St. Patrick's Breastplate

Listen to an Ambrosian hymn: Veni Redemptor Gentium

Listen to the Latin Office hymn: Veni Creator Spiritus

Listen to the Latin Seequence hymn: Victimae Paschali (version 1)

Listen to the Latin Seequence hymn: Victimae Paschali (version 2)

See Hymnody and Hymnology [from the Catholic Encyclopedia]. Great information concerning the history of hymnody, particularly the Early Church, the early Eastern (Greek) tradition, and the early Western (Latin) tradition.

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Site last updated: April 6, 2003