D is for (Great) Doxology
For the last couple of weeks or so I have had the Great Doxology running through my head. This is an ancient hymn that is sung/chanted in Eastern Orthodox Matins services. Our Parish offers Matins services during the school year. I think the hymn has been on my mind because we’ve just started having Matins again. According to Orthodox Wiki, the word doxology means a short hymn or verse of praise for the Trinity. The Western Church has a shortened version and in my [limited] research I discovered that some variations leave our the bit about “Vouchsafe to keep us this day without sin.” Orthodox Christians are not the only Christians who have doxologies or hymns of praise. Many liturgical traditions have them. When I think of NON Orthodox Doxologies I immediately think of the one that begins “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.” I found this version of the Great Doxology on YouTube. It is the closest I could find to the version that my parish uses. The Great Doxolog