Order of Service
Welcome
God has been worshipped in this place through the prayers and praises of countless generations. Worship lies at the heart of our life as Christians and we express our theology and belief through our liturgy. It is through these liturgical patterns of words and actions that we are formed and transformed.
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What is the Epiphany?
This Service of music and Scripture readings is based on the visit of the Magi, or Wise Men, to the stable at Bethlehem. Their gifts of gold, myrrh (bitter herbs used for embalming), and incense (dried resin which, burning, produces fragrant smoke) are symbols of the homage we ourselves are called to pay to the Christ-child who is King, Victim and Priest.
You are invited to say the text in bold in English.
You are requested to remain seated as the candles are lit and the lights are dimmed.
Please stand as the Prayer is sung.
The Choir sings
The Introit
Omnes de Saba venient aurum et thus deferentes, et laudem Domino annuntiantes: Alleluia!
(They all came from the East bearing gold and incense, and praised God, saying: Alleluia!)
Jacob Händl, called Gallus (1550–91)
Please remain standing for
The Bidding Prayer
In the name of Christ who called us out of darkness into his own marvellous light, to be a kingdom of priests to our God, we welcome you.
As we rejoice in the Word made flesh, who comes among us to reveal God’s glory, so we pray that his kingly reign may be acknowledged throughout the world.
We pray for the unity and mission of Christ’s Church, for the ministers of the gospel of Christ, and for all for whom we bear witness.
We pray for the world, which is already Christ’s, that we may have reverence for the natural order and respect for every person, made in the image and likeness of God.
And we pray for those who stand in need, for the lonely, the fearful, the sick and the bereaved, and for all who have no one to pray for them.
May God our Father take us and use us in his service; may he open our eyes to see his glory, and equip us to bless his people, now and at all times. Amen.
All join in
The Responsory
The Lord will arise upon you, O Jerusalem,
And his glory will be seen upon you.
Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising:
The Lord will arise upon you, O Jerusalem.
Your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried in your arms:
His glory will be seen upon you.
Everyone shall come, bringing gold and incense and singing the praise of the Lord:
For the Lord will arise upon you, O Jerusalem:
and his glory will be seen upon you.
As the Choir and the Clergy process to the chancel, please stand to sing
The Hymn
1. Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid!
2. Cold on his cradle the dew-drops are shining,
Low lies his head with the beasts of the stall;
Angels adore him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Saviour of all.
3. Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion
Odours of Edom, and offerings divine,
Gems of the mountain, and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine?
4. Brightest and best of the sons of the morning
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid:
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid!
Reginald Heber (1783–1826); Alwyn Surplice (1906–77)
Please sit for
The First Reading
Genesis 1: 1–5
Read by a Staff Supervisor.
The Choir sings
Ante luciferum gentius, at ante sæcula Dominus, salvator noster hodie mundo apparuit. Alleluia!
(Begotten before the morning star, and Lord before all time, our Saviour has appeared in the world. Alleluia!)
Jacob Händl, called Gallus (1550–91)
Please remain seated for
The Second Reading
Isaiah 60: 1–6, 19
Read by a Verger.
Please extinguish your candle. The Choir sings
Ecce advenit dominator Dominus: in manu eius, et regnum, et potestas, et imperium.
(Behold, the Lord and Master has come, with kingdom, power and dominion in his hand.)
William Byrd (d.1623)
Please remain seated for
The Third Reading
Isaiah 49: 6b–13
Read by a member of the Cathedral Board.
The Choir sings
The darkest midnight in December, no snow, nor hail, nor winter storm shall hinder us for to remember the Babe that on that night was born. With Magi we are come to see this lowly Infant’s kingly charms, born of a maid as prophets said, the King of love in Mary’s arms. No earthly gifts, no gold nor myrrh nor odour sweet we lay at his feet. ’Twas but pure love that from above brought him to save us from all harms; so let us sing and welcome him, the God of love in Mary’s arms. Amen.
Eoghan Desmond (2016)
Please remain seated for
The Fourth Reading
Isaiah 41: 8–10
Read by the Organist and Assistant Master of the Music.
Please stand to sing
The Hymn
1. Earth has many a noble city;
Bethlehem, thou dost all excel;
Out of thee the Lord from heaven
Came to rule his Israel.
2. Fairer than the sun at morning
Was the star that told his birth,
To the world its God announcing
Seen in fleshly form on earth.
3. Eastern sages at his cradle
Make oblations rich and rare;
See them give, in deep devotion,
Gold, and frank incense, and myrrh.
4. Sacred gifts of mystic meaning:
Incense doth their God disclose,
Gold the King of kings proclaimeth,
Myrrh his sepulchre foreshows.
5. Jesu, whom the Gentiles worshipped
At thy glad Epiphany,
Unto thee, with God the Father
And the Spirit, glory be.
Prudentius tr. Edward Caswall (1814–78); Psalmodia Sacra, Gotha, 1715
Please sit for
The Fifth Reading
Haggai 2: 5b–9
Read by a Cathedral Volunteer.
The Choir sings
Letabundus exultet fidelis chorus: ‘Alleluia’…
(Come rejoicing, you faithful ones, singing ‘Alleluia’. King of kings, born of holy maiden. Mighty wonder! Angel of the Counsel, Sun from a star; a star for ever shining. Mary shows her child; still undimmed, the star shines on. The tall cedar of Lebanon bends low to the hyssop. The Word from on high has taken flesh. The synagogue denied what Isaiah proclaimed, and blindness afflicted the guide. If her prophets speak in vain, let her heed the voice of the gentiles. Hear what the Scriptures say: why be damned, forlorn people? Behold this boy-child, foretold in the Scriptures.)
Sarum Primer, 1538
Please remain seated for
The Sixth Reading
Revelation 21: 22 – 22: 5
Read by the Retail Manager.
Please stand to sing
The Hymn
1. As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed its light,
Leading onward, beaming bright;
So, most gracious Lord, may we
Evermore be led to thee.
2. As with joyful steps they sped,
Saviour, to thy lowly bed;
There to bend the knee before
Thee whom heaven and earth adore;
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek thy mercy-seat.
3. As they offered gifts most rare
At thy cradle rude and bare;
So may we with holy joy,
Pure and free from sin’s alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to thee, our heavenly King.
4. Holy Jesus, every day
Keep us in the narrow way;
And, when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds thy glory hide.
5. In the heavenly country bright
Need they no created light;
Thou its light, its joy, its crown,
Thou its sun, which goes not down:
There for ever may we sing
Alleluias to our King.
William Dix (1837–98); William Monk (1823–89)
Please sit for
The Seventh Reading
Matthew 2: 1–12
Read by a member of the Cathedral Chapter.
The Choir sings
Magi veniunt ab oriente Ierosolimam, quærentes et dicentes, ubi est qui natus est rex Iudæorum? Cuius stellam vidimus et venimus cum muneribus adorare Dominum.
(Magi came from the east to Jerusalem questing and asking: where is he who is born King of the Jews? We have seen his star and have come with gifts to adore the Lord.)
Jacobus Clemens non Papa (d.1556)
A Minister says
We saw the rising of his star, and have come to pay him homage.
Let us pray.
Please kneel or sit, according to your custom for
The Prayers
The Magi knelt in adoration before the Christ-child. So we also kneel to worship him with great joy, offering our prayers to his heavenly Father, saying,
Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.
You have called us into the family of those who are called the children of God.
May our love for our brothers and sisters in Christ be strengthened by your grace.
Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.
You have called us to be a temple where the Holy Spirit can dwell.
Give us clean hands and pure hearts so that our lives will reflect your holiness.
Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.
You have called us to be a light to the world that those in darkness can come to you.
May our lives shine as a witness to the saving grace you have given for all.
Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.
You have called us to be members of the body of Christ,
so when one suffers all suffer together.
We ask for your comfort and healing power to bring hope to those in distress.
Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.
You have called us to be the Bride where Christ the Lord is the Bridegroom.
Prepare us for the wedding feast where we will be united with him for ever.
Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.
Rejoicing in the fellowship of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Patrick, we commend ourselves and all Christian people to your unfailing love.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Please stand to sing
The Hymn
During this hymn, a collection of money is made. Should you wish to donate online, please tap the button below to give securely by card.
1. Songs of thankfulness and praise,
Jesu, Lord, to thee we raise,
Manifested by the star
To the sages from afar;
Branch of royal David’s stem
In thy birth at Bethlehem:
Anthems be to thee addrest,
God in Man made manifest.
2. Manifest at Jordan’s stream,
Prophet, Priest, and King supreme;
And at Cana wedding-guest
In thy Godhead manifest;
Manifest in power divine,
Changing water into wine:
Anthems be to thee addrest
God in Man made manifest.
3. Sun and moon shall darkened be,
Stars shall fall, the heavens shall flee;
Christ will then like lightning shine,
All will see his glorious sign;
All will then the trumpet hear,
All will see the Judge appear:
Thou by all wilt be confest,
God in Man made manifest.
4. Grant us grace to see thee, Lord,
Mirrored in thy holy word;
May we imitate thee now,
And be pure, as pure art thou;
That we like to thee may be
At thy great Epiphany;
And may praise thee, ever blest,
God in Man made manifest.
Christopher Wordsworth (1807–85); Charles Steggall (1826–1905)
Please remain standing for the Collect of the Epiphany and the Blessing.
Please remain at your seat for the procession.
Acknowledgements
Developed by Clark Brydon (Education & Safeguarding Officer).
n.b.: Translations are provided automatically by Google Translate. Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is not responsible for automatically generated content or for content on external websites.
To report a problem or to send feedback and suggestions, please email: education@stpatrickscathedral.ie