Daily Prayers
Phos Hilaron (O Gracious Light)
Perhaps the oldest Christian hymn still in daily use outside of Scripture, sung at the lighting of the evening lamps by at least the third century; St.
O gracious Light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing thy praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Thou art worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of Life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.
Ancient Greek vesper hymn, c. 3rd century
About the prayer
Basil the Great referred to it as already ancient in his own day. It belongs to Vespers in the Orthodox tradition and to Evening Prayer in the Anglican. Pray it as the light fails, when the day is handed back.
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