Agnus Dei is the Latin name under which the "Lamb of God" is honoured withinChristian liturgies descending from the historicLatin liturgical tradition, including those ofRoman Catholicism,Lutheranism andAnglicanism. It is the name given to a specific prayer that occurs in these liturgies, and is the name given to the music pieces that accompany the text of this prayer.[1][2]
The use of the title "Lamb of God" in liturgy is based onJohn 1:29, in whichSt. John the Baptist, upon seeingJesus, proclaims "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"
TheSyrian custom of a chant addressed to the Lamb of God was introduced into theRoman RiteMass byPope Sergius I (687–701)[3][4] in the context of his rejection of theCouncil of Trullo of 692 (which was well received in theByzantineEast), whose canons had forbidden the iconographic depiction of Christ as a lamb instead of a man.[5]
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. | Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. |
| —Latin | —English translation[6] |
The verse used in the first and second invocations may be repeated as many times as necessary whilst the celebrant prepares the host and wine for communion.[7]
In aTridentineRequiem Mass, the words "miserere nobis" are replaced by "dona eis requiem" (grant them rest), while "dona nobis pacem" is replaced by "dona eis requiem sempiternam" (grant them eternal rest). Virtually everyMass setting includes anAgnus Dei
The priest uses the phrase "Lamb of God" again, later in the Mass. While displaying the Eucharistic species to the people before giving themHoly Communion, he says: "Ecce Agnus Dei, ecce qui tollit peccata mundi. Beati qui ad cenam Agni vocati sunt." ("Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.")[6]: 132
The following instances are found in theChurch of England'sBook of Common Prayer:
From "The Litany":
O Lamb of God: that takest away the sins of the world;Grant us thy peace.
O Lamb of God: that takest away the sins of the world;Have mercy upon us.
From "Holy Communion":
Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
The following versions are found inCommon Worship, the alternative Anglican liturgical resources, and also in theEpiscopal Church's liturgical resources:
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, grant us peace.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, grant us thy peace.
Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins, have mercy on us.
Jesus, redeemer of the world, grant us peace.
The version found in theLutheran Service Book of theLutheran Church–Missouri Synod is:
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant us Your peace, grant us Your peace.
A popular worship song amongEvangelical Protestants is a reaction to the Lamb of God being seated on the throne inRevelation 5 byMichael W. Smith. This version is response of praise to scene, while the other liturgical versions are prayers.
The words are
Alleluia Alleluia
For our Lord God Almighty reigns
Alleluia Alleluia
For our Lord God Almighty reigns
Alleluia Holy
Holy
Are You Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
You are Holy
(Last stanza repeats 3 times)
AUkrainian translation was sung in 2015 inLviv, Ukraine, during theWar in Donbas[8] at an event organized byFranklin Graham. The song was notably sung again onEaster 2022 in Lviv by a choir ofUkrainian refugees fleeing theRusso-Ukrainian War.[9]
The supplicationAgnus Dei, is, as a rule, sung by the choir or cantor with the congregation responding; or it is, at least, recited aloud. This invocation accompanies the fraction and, for this reason, may be repeated as many times as necessary until the rite has reached its conclusion, the last time ending with the wordsdona nobis pacem ('grant us peace').
