Christus Vincit

[Stone]

Christus Vincit
Taken from here.

Also called the laudes regiae, Christus Vincit is the Hymn par excellence to acclaim Christ as the King of Kings. “Christ conquers, Christ reigns, Christ commands.”, an inscription engraved in the obelisk that stands in the middle of St. Peter’s square in the Vatican, the Obelisk itself symbolizing Christus Invictus.

The acclamation goes back to the great Christian King Charlemagne, in whose time the Church and state lived in harmony to a great extent. It is recorded, that at his coronation as Emperor of the Romans (A.D. 800) he took for his motto: Christus Vincit, Christus Regnat, Christus Imperat.

Since then, these words were instituted as the chant used in the coronation of the Holy Roman Emperors, and later on in France, during the anointing and coronation of the Kings.

Later on, the praises were sung every year, at the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, which was the King’s own parish church. On Easter Sunday, as the king processed into the Cathedral, the laudes regiae were sung for both Him and Christ or rather, to Christ, in him.

Later on, this would move into England, Rome, and the rest of Europe, and it became of popular use also at the entrance of Bishops, and of course the Pope. In the several scores existing, one will find the acclamation for the Bishop, or the simple Christus Vincit, with verses from the Psalm 117.

Lyrics and Translation:

Christus vincit,
Christus regnat,
Christus imperat.

Laudate Dominum, omnes gentes
laudate eum, omnes populi.

Christus vincit,
Christus regnat,
Christus imperat.

Quoniam confirmata est super nos misericordia ejus,
et veritas Domini manet in aeternum.

Christus vincit,
Christus regnat,
Christus imperat.

Gloria Patri et Filio,
et Spiritui Sancto.

Christus vincit,
Christus regnat,
Christus imperat.

Sicut erat in principio et nunc, et semper,
et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Christus vincit,
Christus regnat,
Christus imperat.



Christ conquers,
Christ reigns,
Christ commands.

O praise the Lord, all ye nations:
praise ye Him, all ye people.

Christ conquers,
Christ reigns,
Christ commands.

For His mercy is confirmed upon us:
and the truth of the Lord remaineth forever.

Christ conquers,
Christ reigns,
Christ commands.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.

Christ conquers,
Christ reigns,
Christ commands.

As in the beginning, is now and always and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.

Christ conquers,
Christ reigns,
Christ commands.