Great Antiphons
Great Antiphons
Recited from 17 to 23 December inclusive at the Magnificat in Vespers, one being said each day. They are written in poetic, scriptural prose, it is not known when or by whom, but they date at the latest from the 9th century. The antiphons address Our Lord under scriptural titles and conclude with a petition to the coming Saviour. Their opening words are:
O Sapientia (O Wisdom), O Adonai, O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse), O Clavis David (O Key of David), O Oriens (O Orient), O Rex Gentium (O King of the Gentiles), O Emmanuel.