View source for Sub tuum praesidium

{{Short description|Christian hymn and prayer}}
{{italic title}}
[[File: Manila Cathedral (1) 2024-12-09.jpg|thumb|The altar image of the [[Immaculate Conception]] in [[Manila Cathedral]] by the Roman sculptor Vincenzo Assenza, adorned with a festal [[mandorla]] containing the first four Latin words of the hymn. ]]
'''''Sub tuum præsidium''''' ({{langx|grc|Ὑπὸ τὴν σὴν εὐσπλαγχνίαν}}; {{lit|under your protection}}) is an ancient [[Christianity|Christian]] hymn and prayer dedicated to the [[Blessed Virgin Mary]]. 

The hymn enumerates her special election by [[God the Father]] and her motherhood of [[God the Son]]. It is one of the oldest known [[Mariology|Marian]] prayers and among the most ancient preserved hymns still currently in use. 

The [[Papyrus]] No. 470, containing a substantial portion of the prayer was dated initially to the 3rd or 4th century; later dated as late as the 9th century A.D. The dating of the Papyrus remains uncertain.<ref>Roberta Mazza (2019). Dating Early Christian Papyri: Old and New Methods – Introduction, in ''Journal for the Study of the New Testament'', vol. 42(1) (2019) [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0142064X19855579]</ref> Accordingly, the celebrated hymn is well attested within the [[Roman Catholic Church]], the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] and [[Oriental Orthodox Churches]].

==Historicity==
[[File:Hypo ten sen eusplanchnian (papyros).jpg|thumb|right|The Papyrus No. 470, purported to be the earliest surviving manuscript in the Greek language, dated between 3rd to 9th centuries. Preserved today at the [[John Rylands]] library in [[Manchester, England]]. ]]

The earliest text of this [[Marian hymn|hymn]] was found in a [[Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria|Coptic Orthodox]] [[Christmas]] liturgy. Rylands Papyrus 470 records the hymn in [[Koine Greek|Greek]], and was dated to the 3rd century by papyrologist [[Edgar Lobel]] and by scholar [[Colin Henderson Roberts]] to the 4th century.<ref>{{Cite book| last = Matthewes-Green| first = Frederica| title = The Lost Gospel of Mary: The Mother of Jesus in Three Ancient Texts| publisher = Paraclete Press| year = 2007| location = Brewster MA| pages = 85–87| isbn = 978-1-55725-536-5}}</ref><ref>See the Leuven Database of Ancient Books, [http://www.trismegistos.org/text/64320 P. Ryl. 470]. About the date of the papyrus Rylands III 470, see also Hans Förster, «Die älteste marianische Antiphon - eine Fehldatierung? Überlegungen zum "ältesten Beleg" des Sub tuum praesidium», in ''Journal of Coptic Studies'' 7 (2005), pp. 99-109.</ref><ref>{{Cite book| last = O'Carroll| first = Michael| title = Theotokos. A Theological Encyclopedia of the Blessed Virgin Mary| publisher = Michael Glazier Inc| year = 1982| location = Wilmington| pages = 336}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book| last = Mercenier| first = François| title = L'Antienne mariale grecque la plus ancienne | publisher = Le Muséon 52| year = 1939| pages = 229–233|language=fr}}</ref> By contrast, Hans Förster dates it to the 8th century and states that Roberts merely quoted Lobel, and that there is no consensus supporting the Lobel date.<ref>Hans Förster, «Die älteste marianische Antiphon - eine Fehldatierung? Überlegungen zum "ältesten Beleg" des Sub tuum praesidium», in ''Journal of Coptic Studies'' 7 (2005), pp. 99-109.</ref> Although he notes that a number of scholars support Lobel and Roberts, Towarek follows Förster and others in concluding that the earliest textual witness to the hymn is of 6th—7th century provenance and that it only became liturgically prevalent in the Middle Ages.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Towarek |first=Piotr |date=2021 |title=Prayer "Sub Tuum praesidium": Time of Origin, Place in Liturgy and Reception in Musical Culture. Outline of the Issues |url=https://czasopisma.kul.pl/index.php/vp/article/view/12929 |journal=Vox Patrum |volume=80 |pages=239–268|doi=10.31743/vp.12929 |s2cid=245321013 |doi-access=free }}</ref> 

Recent scholarship has identified the hymn in the Georgian Iadgari (Chantbook) of Jerusalem, demonstrating that the ''Sub tuum praesidium'' was in liturgical use during the 5th century.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1047578356 |title=The first Christian hymnal : the songs of the ancient Jerusalem church |date=2018 |others=Stephen J. Shoemaker |isbn=978-1-944394-68-4 |location=Provo, Utah |pages=xxviii |oclc=1047578356}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Frøyshov |first=Stig Simeon |title=[Hymnography of the] Rite of Jerusalem |url=https://www.academia.edu/4874556 |journal=Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology}}</ref> The hymn is also part of the Order of [[Sulpician]] custom that all classes ended with a recitation of this prayer.<ref name=green/> Besides the Greek text, ancient versions can be found in [[Coptic language|Coptic]], [[Syriac language|Syriac]], [[Armenian language|Armenian]] and [[Latin]].<ref name=Villiers>{{cite web|url=http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2011/02/sub-tuum-praesidium.html|title=The Sub Tuum Praesidium|website=Newliturgicalmovement.org|access-date=22 February 2019}}</ref>

[[File:Bandeira processional da Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa (1784) - Bernardo Pereira Pegado.png|thumb|A religious processional banner from the [[Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa|Holy House of Mercy in Lisbon]] (1784) depicting the [[Virgin of Mercy]]; the first verse of the hymn is displayed below.]]

The Frenchman, Henri de Villiers finds in the term "blessed" a reference to the salutation by [[Elizabeth (biblical figure)|Saint Elizabeth]] in {{bibleverse|Luke|1:42|NIV}}.<ref name=Villiers/> {{lang|la|'Praesidium'}} is translated as "an assistance given in time of war by fresh troops in a strong manner."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://udayton.edu/imri/mary/h/help-of-christians.php|title=Help of Christians : University of Dayton, Ohio|website=Udayton.edu|access-date=22 February 2019}}</ref>

The former medieval and post-medieval practice in several dioceses, especially in [[Catholic Church in France|France]], was to use the {{lang|la|Sub tuum}} as the final [[antiphon]] at [[Compline]] instead of the {{lang|la|[[Salve Regina]]}},<ref name=Villiers/> and in the [[Rite of Braga]], where it is sung at the end of the [[Catholic Mass]].

==Pontifical indulgence==
[[Pope Pius VI]] in the decree of 5 April 1786 granted the indulgence of one hundred days and, on Sundays, of 7 years and the same number of forty years to anyone who with sincere [[contrition]] recited in the morning the [[antiphon]] ''[[Salve Regina]]'' and in the evening the ''Sub tuum praesidium''.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qMKmGkxJIEAC&pg=PA65|page= 65|title=Brief instruction on ecclesiastical indulgences in general and on the jubilee|author=Cancani Amadeo|year=1826|publisher=in the Andreola typography editr.|oclc=|language=it}}</ref>

During the modernization efforts of the [[Second Vatican Council]],  these types of indulgences (expressed in days or years) was suppressed by the ''[[Indulgentiarum Doctrina]]'' (1967). 

The ''[[Enchiridion Indulgentiarum]]'' of 2004 provides for partial indulgence.<ref>''[[Enchiridion Indulgentiarum]]'', ''[https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/documents/rc_trib_appen_doc_20020826_enchiridion-indulgentiarum_lt.html Concessiones]'', n°. 17 $2, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 4th edition, 2004, p. 63. {{ISBN|88-209-2785-3}}.</ref>

==Modern use==
{{Roman Catholic Mariology}}
In the [[Byzantine Rite]] used by the [[Eastern Orthodox Churches|Eastern Orthodox]] and [[Eastern Catholic Churches]], the hymn is the last [[apolytikion]] of [[Vespers]] celebrated during [[Great Lent]] on Sunday evenings and weekdays.<ref>{{cite book |translator-last1=Mother Mary |translator-last2=Ware |translator-first2=Kallistos |translator-link2=Kallistos Ware |title=The Lenten Triodion |date=2002 |series=The Service Books of the Orthodox Church |publisher=St. Tikhon's Seminary Press |location=South Canaan, PA |pages=90–92}}</ref> It is also the last apolytikion of Vespers on other [[Alleluia#Lenten Alleluia|Days of Alleluia]] outside of Great Lent.<ref>{{cite book |title=Service-Book for Clergy: Vespers |date=2019 |publisher=Metropolitan Cantor Institute |location=Pittsburgh, PA |page=81}}</ref> In Greek practice, it is usually sung in [[Byzantine music|Neo-Byzantine chant]].

In the [[Armenian Rite]], the hymn is sung on the [[Epiphany (holiday)|Eve of Theophany]] and is also used as an acclamation ({{langx|hy|մաղթանք}}) in the daily [[compline]] service known as the Rest Hour ({{lang|hy|Հանգստեան Ժամ}}). A slightly different version of the hymn is appended to the [[Trisagion]] when the latter is chanted in the daily Morning ({{lang|hy|Առաւօտեան}}) and Evening ({{lang|hy|Երեկոյեան}}) Hours of the [[Daily office|Daily Office]].

The Slavonic version of the hymn is also often used outside of [[Great Lent]], with the triple invocation {{lang|ru|«Пресвятая Богородице, спаси нас!»}} ("Most Holy Theotokos, save us") appended.

The prayer has a special importance in [[Orthodox Church of Ukraine|Ukrainian Orthodox]]y because Ukrainians connect it to the [[Intercession of the Theotokos|Intercession aspect of the Mother of God]], which in its turn is outstandingly hallowed in the [[History of Christianity in Ukraine|Ukrainian tradition]].

The hymn is used in the Coptic liturgy, as well as in the Armenian, [[Byzantine Rite|Byzantine]], [[Ambrosian Rite|Ambrosian]], and [[Roman Rite|Roman]] Rite liturgies.

In the [[Roman Rite]] of the Catholic Church it is used as the antiphon for the ''[[Nunc Dimittis]]'' at [[Compline]] in the [[Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary]], and in the [[Liturgy of the Hours]] may be used as the [[Marian antiphon]] after [[Compline]] or [[Vespers]] outside of [[Eastertide]].

The prayer has a special significance for [[Society of Mary (Marists)|Marists]],<ref name=green>{{cite web|url=http://static.squarespace.com/static/52422a6fe4b06209130d02bd/t/532175f8e4b037cba19fc86c/1394701816406/History%20of%20Sub%20Tuum.pdf|title=Green, Michael. "The History of the Sub Tuum"|website=Static.squarespace.com|access-date=22 February 2019}}</ref> and it is often heard in [[List of Marist Brothers schools|Marist schools]] and groups around the world. It is also commonly used by the [[Salesians]] in honor of [[Mary Help of Christians]].

Since 2018, [[Pope Francis]] has asked to pray this hymn along with the [[Rosary]] and the [[Prayer to Saint Michael]] asking for the unity of the Church during October (2018). In the official communiqué he added that "Russian mystics and the great saints of all the traditions advised, in moments of spiritual turbulence, to shelter beneath the mantle of the Holy Mother of God pronouncing the invocation 'Sub Tuum Praesidium'".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-09/pope-francis-pray-rosary-october.html|title=Pope Francis invites the faithful to pray the Rosary in October |website=Vaticannews.va|date=2018-09-29|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en}}</ref>

In Poland, this prayer is often recited at the end of the [[Rosary based prayers#Holy_Rosary|Holy Rosary]].

==Musical settings==
[[File : Bratislava Hlboká 04 04.jpg|thumb|A mosaic rendition of the [[Virgin of Mercy]] with the inscription in a school—orphanage administered by the Order of Saint Paul the Hermit in [[Bratislava, Slovakia]]. ]]

The Latin version has been set to music in the West many times, notably by [[Marc-Antoine Charpentier]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Charpentier |first1=Marc-Antoine |year=2017 |title=Sub tuum praesidium, H.352 |url=http://imslp.org/wiki/Sub_tuum_praesidium%2C_H.352_(Charpentier%2C_Marc-Antoine) |access-date=20 April 2018 |website=Imslp.org |language=en |orig-year=ca. 1687}}</ref> (3 settings:  H.20, for 3 voices and bc, 1670; H.28, for 3 voices unaccompanied, 1681–82; H.352, for 1 voice and bc; late1680s), [[Jan Dismas Zelenka]], (10 settings for SATB and bc),<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zelenka |first1=Jan Dismas |year=2015 |title=10 Sub tuum praesidium, ZWV 157 |url=https://imslp.org/wiki/10_Sub_tuum_praesidium%2C_ZWV_157_(Zelenka%2C_Jan_Dismas) |website=Imslp.org |language=en |orig-year=ca. 1725-34}}</ref> [[Antonio Salieri]], [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart]] and [[Ludwig van Beethoven]].<ref name="green" />

Other than the traditional and modern chant settings, which are the most commonly used, the most well-known musical setting in Slavonic traditiona is perhaps [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReHZMnO3bfo that] of the Ukrainian composer [[Dmitry Bortniansky]]. Another [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5aJ7ujqCQs Ukrainian version] was composed by [[Ihor Sonevytsky]].

==Authenticated Recensions==
===Greek===
{|
!Greek Text!!English Translation
|-
|
:{{lang|grc|Ὑπὸ τὴν σὴν εὐσπλαγχνίαν,}}
:{{lang|grc|καταφεύγομεν, Θεοτόκε.}}
:{{lang|grc|Τὰς ἡμῶν ἱκεσίας,}}
:{{lang|grc|μὴ παρίδῃς ἐν περιστάσει,}}
:{{lang|grc|ἀλλ᾽ ἐκ κινδύνων λύτρωσαι ἡμᾶς,}}
:{{lang|grc|μόνη Ἁγνή, μόνη εὐλογημένη.}}
|
::Beneath thy compassion,
::We take refuge, O Theotokos [God-bearer]:
::do not despise our petitions in time of trouble:
::but rescue us from dangers,
::only pure one, only blessed one.
|}

===Slavonic===
The earliest [[Church Slavonic]] manuscripts have the prayer in the following form:
{|
![[Church Slavonic language|Church Slavonic]]!!English Translation
|-
|
:{{lang|cu|Подъ твою милость,}}
:{{lang|cu|прибѣгаемъ богородице дѣво,}}
:{{lang|cu|молитвъ нашихъ не презри в скорбѣхъ.}}
:{{lang|cu|но ѿ бѣдъ избави насъ,}}
:{{lang|cu|едина чистаѧ и благословеннаѧ.}}
|
::Beneath thy mercy,
::we take refuge, O Virgin Theotokos:
::disdain not our supplications in our distress,
::but deliver us from perils,
::O only pure and blessed one.
|}

This version continues to be used by the [[Old Believers]] today, as well as those churches (Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic alike) which use the Ruthenian Recension.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://mci.archpitt.org/songs/Slavonic/Pod_tvoju_milost.html | title=Pod tvoju milost' }}</ref> In the 17th century, under the liturgical reforms of [[Patriarch Nikon]] of Moscow, the [[Russian Orthodox Church]] adopted a new translation (but parishes continue to use the form given above):{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}
{|
![[Church Slavonic language|Church Slavonic]]!!English Translation
|-
|
:{{lang|cu|Подъ твое благотробїе}}
:{{lang|cu|прибѣгаемъ Богородице,}}
:{{lang|cu|моленїѧ наша не презри во ωбстоѧнїй,}}
:{{lang|cu|но ѿ бѣдъ исбави ны,}}
:{{lang|cu|едина Чистаѧ, и Благословеннаѧ}}
|
::Beneath thy tenderness of heart
::we take refuge, O Theotokos,
::disdain not our supplications in our necessity,
::but deliver us from perils,
::O only pure and blessed one.
|}

This second version continues in use today.

===Latin===
The Latin translation, likely derived from the Greek, dates from the 11th century: 
{|
!Latin Text!!English Translation
|-
|
:{{lang|la|Sub tuum praesidium}}
:{{lang|la|confugimus,}}
:{{lang|la|Sancta Dei Genetrix.}}
:{{lang|la|Nostras deprecationes ne despicias}}
:{{lang|la|in necessitatibus,}}
:{{lang|la|sed a periculis cunctis}}
:{{lang|la|libera nos semper,}}
:{{lang|la|Virgo gloriosa et benedicta}}
|
:We fly to thy protection,
:O Holy Mother of God; <!-- "Dei Genitrix" is used *specifically* to translate "Theotokos". See [[Theotokos]] N.B. It also can be translated, and typically is translated, literally; considering that the prayer is from Latin to English, it seems unfitting to use a Greek term, especially one which is atypical among Latin Catholics-->
:Do not despise our petitions
:in our necessities,
:but deliver us always
:from all dangers,
:O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kofc.org/un/en/resources/service/church/ic-prayercard-5049.pdf|title="Sub tuum Praesidium", KofC|website=Kofc.org|access-date=22 February 2019}}</ref>
|}

Some of the Latin versions have also incorporated the following verses often attributed to [[Bernard of Clairvaux|Saint Bernard of Clairvaux]]<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_FgkTiEigHsC&q=Domina+nostra%2C+mediatrix+nostra%2C+advocata+nostra+bernardus&pg=PA129|title=Manuale Sacerdotum|last=Schneider|first=Josephus|date=1900|publisher=J. P. Bachem|language=la}}</ref> to the above translation:

<blockquote>{{lang|la|Domina nostra, Mediatrix nostra, Advocata nostra}} (Our Lady, our Mediatrix, Our Advocate)

{{lang|la|tuo Filio nos reconcilia}} (Reconcile us to your Son)

{{lang|la|tuo Filio nos recommenda}} (Recommend us to your Son)

{{lang|la|tuo Filio nos representa}} (Represent us to your Son)<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vu9jAAAAcAAJ&q=Domina+nostra%2C+mediatrix+nostra%2C+advocata+nostra&pg=PA187|title=Jesus, Maria, Joseph: Or, The Devout Pilgrim of the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary. In His Holy Exercises Upon the Sacred Mysteries of Jesus, Maria, Joseph|page=187|date=1663|language=en|last1=Crowther|first1=Arthur Anselm}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7xdkpPwpvDQC&q=Domina+nostra%2C+mediatrix+nostra%2C+advocata+nostra&pg=PA116|title=Gebet- und Gesang-Buch für die Schüler des Znaimer Gymnasiums|page=116|date=1865|publisher=Lenck|language=de}}</ref></blockquote>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Sub tuum praesidium}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180812081223/http://www.frederica.com/gallery/places-and-things/1067611 "Under thy compassion we take refuge..."] Photograph of Papyrus Rylands III 470, dated to 250 AD.
* [https://www.roger-pearse.com/weblog/2023/08/24/theotokos-a-review-of-the-scholarship-on-the-paleographical-date-of-p-ryl-iii-407-sub-tuum-praesidium/ Theotokos: A review of the scholarship on the paleographical date of P.Ryl. III 470 (“Sub Tuum Praesidium”)]

{{Catholic Prayers}}
{{Virgin Mary}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sub Tuum Praesidium}}
[[Category:Catholic liturgy]]
[[Category:Byzantine Rite]]
[[Category:Eastern Orthodox Mariology]]
[[Category:Oriental Orthodoxy]]
[[Category:Marian devotions]]