Christ, the fair glory of the holy angels (St. Michael and All Angels)

Michaelmas, also known as the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, Uriel and Raphael, the Feast of the Archangels, or the Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels is a minor Christian festival observed in some Western liturgical calendars on 29 September. Michaelmas has been one of the four quarter days of the financial year. The Serbian Orthodox Church observes the feast, whereas most Eastern Orthodox Churches do not. The Greek and Romanian Orthodox honor the archangels on 8 November instead.

In Christian angelology, the Archangel Michael is the greatest of all the Archangels and is honored for defeating Satan in the war in heaven. He is one of the principal angelic warriors, seen as a protector against the dark of night, and the administrator of cosmic intelligence. Michaelmas has also delineated time and seasons for secular purposes, as well, particularly in Britain and Ireland as one of the quarter days - as in dividing the four quarters (sections) of the year.

This hymn is an "office hymn."

An office hymn has formed a part of the Daily Offices of western Christians since the time of St. Ambrose in the fourth century. On "ordinary weekdays," the office hymn is chosen for the time of day, and found in the office of Matins (Morning Prayer) and Evensong (Evening Prayer). Proper hymns are used during the major seasons of the liturgical year and on festivals. Traditionally speaking, the office hymn is sung after the opening Preces and Responses (O Lord, open thou our lips, etc.), and immediately before the singing of the psalms.

While the hymn heard here is an office hymn, it has found it's way into the Mass/Holy Eucharist, and is certainly "proper" and fitting in this use.

The music comes from the "Rouen Antiphoner", 1728, and it was harmonized by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

The text is Latin, dating from the 9th century was translated by Athelstan Riley (1858-1945).

The score is attached below, as well as photos of RVW, Riley, and some images of the Archangels.