Sub tuum praesidium

A 15th century Virgin of Mercy, depicting protection under the mantle of the Madonna.

Roman Catholic Mariology A series of articles on Marian Prayers

Alma Redemptoris Mater Angelus As a Child I Loved You Ave Maris Stella Ave Regina Caelorum Fatima Prayers Flos Carmeli Hail Mary Hail Mary of Gold Immaculata prayer Immaculate Mary Magnificat Mary Our Queen Memorare Regina Coeli Rosary Salve Regina Stabat Mater Sub tuum praesidium Three Hail Marys

Beneath thy protection (Greek: Ὑπὸ τὴν σὴν εὐσπλαγχνίαν; Latin: Sub tuum praesidium) is the oldest extant hymn to the Theotokos (Blessed Virgin Mary).

History

The earliest text of this hymn was found in a Coptic Orthodox Christmas liturgy of the third century. It is written in Greek and dates to approximately 250. It is used in the Coptic liturgy to this day, as well as in the Byzantine, Ambrosian, and Roman liturgies. It is especially sung by young Christian men and women who are being educated by the Marist Brothers.

Contemporary use

Although the hymn has been translated into many modern languages, the three major textual recensions are still the Greek, the Slavonic and the Latin.

In the Byzantine Rite used by the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches, the hymn occurs as the last dismissal hymn of daily Vespers in Great Lent. In Greek practice it is usually sung in Neo-Byzantine chant.

The Slavonic version of the hymn is also often used outside of Great Lent, with the triple invocation «Пресвѧтаѧ Богородице спаси насъ» ("Most Holy Theotokos, save us") appended. Other than the traditional and modern chant settings, which are the most commonly used, the most well-known musical setting is perhaps that of Dmytro Bortniansky.

In the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church it is used as the antiphon for the Nunc Dimittis at Compline in the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and in the Liturgy of the Hours may be used as the Marian antiphon after Compline outside of Eastertide.

The Latin version has also been set to music in the West many times, notably by Antonio Salieri and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

The Sub Tuum is often heard in Marist schools and groups around the world. It is often sung in Latin, although some Marist schools sing an English translation "We fly to your Patronage Oh Heavenly Mother of God"....

Recensions

Greek

Greek Text	English Translation
Ὑπὸ τὴν σὴν εὐσπλαγχνίαν, καταφεύγομεν, Θεοτόκε. Τὰς ἡμῶν ἱκεσίας, μὴ παρίδῃς ἐν περιστάσει, ἀλλ᾽ ἐκ κινδύνων λύτρωσαι ἡμᾶς, μόνη Ἁγνή, μόνη εὐλογημένη.	Beneath your compassion, We take refuge, O Mother of God: do not despise our petitions in time of trouble: but rescue us from dangers, only pure, only blessed one.

Church Slavonic

The earliest Church Slavonic manuscripts have the prayer in the following form:

Church Slavonic	English Translation
Подъ твою милость, прибѣгаемъ богородице дѣво, молитвъ нашихъ не презри в скорбѣхъ. но ѿ бѣдъ избави насъ, едина чистаѧ и благословеннаѧ.	Beneath thy mercy, we take refuge, O Virgin Theotokos: disdain not our supplications in our distress, but deliver us from perils, O only pure and blessed one.

This version continues to be used by the Old Believers today. In 1586, under the liturgical reforms of Patriarch Nikon of Moscow, the Russian Orthodox Church adopted a new translation (but parishes continue to use the form given above):

Church Slavonic	English Translation
Подъ твое благоѹсробїе прибѣгаемъ Богородице, моленїѧ наша не презри во ωбстоѧнїй, но ѿ бѣдъ исбави ны, едина Чистаѧ, и Благословеннаѧ	Beneath thy tenderness of heart we take refuge, O Theotokos, disdain not our supplications in our necessity, but deliver us from perils, O only pure and blessed one.

This second version continues in use today.

Latin

The Latin translation, likely derived from the Greek, dates from the 11th century:

Latin Text	English Translation
Sub tuum praesidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genitrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus nostris, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta	Under thy protection we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our needs, but from all dangers deliver us always, Virgin Glorious and Blessed

External links

• "Under thy compassion we take refuge..." Photograph of papyrus, dated to 250 AD, the earliest example of this hymn.
• "The Sub Tuum Praesidium" Another interesting article regarding the hymn