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Which hymns are included in the opening chapters of the Gospel According to Luke?
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St. Luke
St. Luke, illuminated page from the Beatus Apocalypse, Mozarabic, 975; in the Gerona Cathedral, Spain.
The opening chapters of the Gospel According to Luke contain three significant hymns, often referred to as the "greater canticles" or "evangelical canticles," which reflect early Christian tradition and Old Testament influence:12
- Magnificat: Found in Luke 1:46–55, this is the hymn of praise sung by Mary following the Visitation to her relative St. Elizabeth.32
- Benedictus: Located in Luke 1:68–79, this canticle is attributed to Zechariah upon the birth and naming of his son, St. John the Baptist.42
- Nunc Dimittis: Found in Luke 2:29–32, this is the prayer of Simeon, offered when he encounters the infant Jesus in the Temple.52
These hymns are deeply rooted in the language of the Septuagint and provide insight into the piety and messianic expectations of the early Christian community.1