Hail Gladdening Light, Φώς Ιλαρόν (Phos Hilaron )

This is an ancient Christian hymn, perhaps the oldest Christian hymn we have, dating from the 3rd or 4th century. We say it when a new liturgical day begins, at Vespers. It is an invitation to praise the One God in three “hypostas“ at the moment when the physical light disappears and a new one should be lit: the light of wisdom. Original Ancient Text: Φώς ιλαρόν αγίας δόξης αθανάτου Πατρός, ουρανίου, αγίου, μάκαρος, Ιησού Χριστέ, ελθόντες επί τήν ηλίου δύσιν, ιδόντες φώς εσπερινόν, υμνούμεν Πατέρα,