What are the O antiphons in the Catholic Church?

The O Antiphons (also known as the Great Advent Antiphons or Great Os) are Magnificat antiphons used at vespers on the last seven days of Advent in Western Christian traditions. They likely date to sixth-century Italy, when Boethius refers to the text in The Consolation of Philosophy.

What are the 7 O antiphons?

Collectively they also suggest Christ’s response to that plea: the seven titles in Latin—Sapientia, Adonai, Radix Jesse, Clavis David, Oriens, Rex Gentium, and Emmanuel—in reverse order form an acrostic ERO CRAS which means “I am coming soon.”

How many antiphons are there?

seven antiphons
Each of the seven antiphons begins by addressing Jesus using an Old Testament title for the Messiah.

What is the last O antiphon the one for December 23?

O Emmanuel
December 23 – “O Emmanuel” the 7th and final O Antiphon.

What is the purpose of the antiphons?

antiphon, in Roman Catholic liturgical music, chant melody and text sung before and after a psalm verse, originally by alternating choirs (antiphonal singing).

What are vespers prayers?

Vespers, as a whole, is an introduction and preparation for the Liturgy, consisting of a collection of prayers, praises and Thanksgiving prayers which request the Lord’s blessings upon the sacramental service.

What does antiphon mean in drama?

1 : a psalm, anthem, or verse sung responsively. 2 : a verse usually from Scripture said or sung before and after a canticle, psalm, or psalm verse as part of the liturgy.

What are the four Marian antiphons?

The four Marian antiphons are long hymns, not true antiphons but independent compositions especially noted for their beauty: the “Salve Regina” (“Hail, Holy Queen”), “Ave Regina caelorum” (“Hail, Queen of Heaven”), “Regina caeli, laetare” (“Queen of Heaven, Rejoice”), and “Alma Redemptoris Mater” (“Kindly Mother of the …

What is the meaning of antiphons?

What does the word Antiphonally mean?

1. antiphonal – containing or using responses; alternating; “responsive reading”; “antiphonal laughter” responsive. 2. antiphonal – relating to or resembling an antiphon or antiphony.

What are vesper services?

Vespers is a service of evening prayer, one of the canonical hours in Eastern Orthodox, Coptic orthodox, Roman Catholic and Eastern Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican liturgies. The word for this fixed prayer time comes from the Greek ἑσπέρα and the Latin vesper, meaning “evening”.