Agnus Dei

File:Glenbeigh St. James' Church Nave Triple Window Agnus Dei 2012 09 09.jpg

Jesus represented as the Lamb of God (Agnus Dei)

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lang}} is sung or said

File:Agnus Dei, por Francisco de Zurbarán.jpg

Jesus represented as the Lamb of God by Francisco de Zurbarán

{{#invoke:Lang|lang}} is the Latin name under which the "Lamb of God" is honoured within Christian liturgies descending from the historic Latin liturgical tradition, including those of Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism and Anglicanism.<ref name="COS2007"/> 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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

File:Crozier lamb Louvre OA7267.jpg

13th century ivory carving, Louvre.

The use of the title "Lamb of God" in liturgy is based on Template:Bibleverse, in which St. John the Baptist, upon seeing Jesus, proclaims "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

File:Schubert-mass in g. 6. agnus dei.ogg

Agnus Dei from Schubert's Mass No. 2

Liturgical usage

Latin Catholic

The Syrian custom of a chant addressed to the Lamb of God was introduced into the Roman Rite Mass by Pope Sergius I (687–701)<ref name="Duffy2006">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> in the context of his rejection of the Council of Trullo of 692 (which was well received in the Byzantine East), whose canons had forbidden the iconographic depiction of Christ as a lamb instead of a man.<ref name="Ekonomou2007">Template:Cite book</ref> Template:Verse translation

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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

In a Tridentine Requiem Mass, the words "{{#invoke:Lang|lang}}" are replaced by "{{#invoke:Lang|lang}}" (grant them rest), while "{{#invoke:Lang|lang}}" is replaced by "{{#invoke:Lang|lang}}" (grant them eternal rest). Virtually every Mass setting includes an {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}

File:Fauré - Requiem - V. Agnus Dei.flac

Agnus Dei from Fauré's Requiem

The priest uses the phrase "Lamb of God" again, later in the Mass. While displaying the Eucharistic species to the people before giving them Holy Communion, he says: "{{#invoke:Lang|lang}}" ("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.")<ref name="missal" />Template:Rp

Lutheran

The version found in the Lutheran Service Book of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod is: Template:Poemquote

In celebrations of the Mass done in English, the following translation is employed by the Church of Sweden:<ref name="COS2007"/> Template:Poemquote

Anglican

The following instances are found in the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer:

From "The Litany": Template:Poemquote

From "Holy Communion": Template:Poemquote

The following versions are found in Common Worship, the alternative Anglican liturgical resources, and also in the Episcopal Church's liturgical resources: Template:Poemquote

Evangelical Protestants

A popular worship song among Evangelical Protestants is a reaction to the Lamb of God being seated on the throne in Revelation 5 by Michael W. Smith. This version is response of praise to scene, while the other liturgical versions are prayers.

The words are

Template:Poemquote (Last stanza repeats 3 times)

A Ukrainian translation was sung in 2015 in Lviv, Ukraine, during the War in Donbas<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> at an event organized by Franklin Graham. The song was notably sung again on Easter 2022 in Lviv by a choir of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russo-Ukrainian War.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>