Heruvimskaya Pesn'

General information

The Херувимскaя пeснь ("Heruvimskaya pesñ") - Cherubic hymn or Herouvikon (Gr.) - is the hymn sung during the so-called Great Entrance in orthodox liturgy. It accompanies the procession of the clergy who bring wine and bread in front of the iconostasis. Its first verses are sung to a solemn, slow rhythm. The hymn is then interrupted by a number of prayers (for the faithful, the patriarch etc.), after which the choir responds with 'Amin' and sings the final verse of the hymn in a more lively rhythm, as the clergy re-enters the sanctuary.

Settings by composers

Aleksandr Alyabyev Aleksandr Arhangelsky Atanas Badev Dmitri Bortniansky Setting 7, for 4 vv. from Liturgy for 3 voices (SSA) Pavel Chesnokov in A minor in G minor Mikhail Glinka Alexander Gretchaninoff Julian Gunkel Jos H. Hindriks Dobri Hristov (SATTBB)

M. Kostantinov Gavriil Lomakin Grigory Lvovsky Stevan Mokranjac Sergei Rachmaninoff (also available in English) Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky set this text many times: in F, D & C major at the Petrucci Music Library (IMSLP) The first of these, Heruvimskaya Pesn' (in F), is available in Slavonic and in two cpdl English versions: Holy, Holy and Hymn to the Trinity (merged to the main page) Cherubic Hymn No. 2 is transposed to D flat as Holy blessed Trinity Cherubic Hymn No. 3 is available as Angel spirits ever blessed, and as Holy and immortal Father As #6 on IMSLP of the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Op. 41, adapted as Cherubic Hymn Hristo Tsanoff (7 settings, all withdrawn)

Other settings possibly not included in the manual list above

• Anton Stepanovich Arensky — We praise Thee, Op. 40 No. 2
• Pavel Chesnokov — Cherubic Hymn / Херувимская Песнь / Cherubimskaya Pesn' Op. 37, No. 1
• Alexander Dmitriyevich Kastalsky — Cherubic Hymn "Ruins of Moscow"
• Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky — Kheruvimskaya pyesn no. 1
• Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky — Kheruvimskaya pyesn, Op. 41 No. 6
• Hristo Tsanoff — Heruvimska pesen No. 7

Text and translations

Church Slavonic text Иже Херувимы тайно образующе, и животворящей Тройцѣ трисвятую пѣснь припѣвающе. Всякое нынѣ житейское отложимъ попеченіе. Aминь. Яко да Царя всѣх подымемъ, Aнгельскими невидимо дори-носима чинми. Аллилуіa.

English translation We, who mystically represent the Cherubim, And chant the thrice-holy hymn to the Life-giving Trinity, Let us set aside the cares of life That we may receive the King of all, Who comes invisibly escorted by the Divine Hosts. Alleluia.

Dutch translation Laat ons, die hier op mystieke de cherubs verzinnebeelden, en het driemaal heilig zingen tot de levenschenkende Drie-eenheid, nu alle aardse zorgen opzij leggen zodat wij de Koning van het al kunnen verwelkomen, die binnentreedt, op onzichtbare wijze begeleid door de hemelse scharen. Alleluia.

French translation Nous qui dans ce mystère représentons les chérubins et chantons l'hymne trois fois sainte à la vivifiante Trinité, déposons maintenant tous les soucis de ce monde. Pour recevoir le Roi de toutes choses, invisiblement escorté par les armées des anges. Alléluia, Alléluia, Alléluia.

Greek translation Οἱ τὰ Χερουβεὶμ μυστικῶς εἰκονίζοντες, καὶ τῇ ζωοποιῷ Τριάδι τὸν τρισάγιον ὕμνον προσᾴδοντες, πᾶσαν τὴν βιοτικὴν ἀποθώμεθα μέριμναν, ὡς τὸν Βασιλέα τῶν ὅλων ὑποδεξόμενοι ταῖς ἀγγελικαῖς ἀοράτως δορυφορούμενον τάξεσιν. Ἀλληλούϊα.

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