The '''[[Cherubim|Cherubic]] Hymn''' is the primary ''cherubiconcherubikon'', or song of the angels[[angel]]s, sung during every [[Divine Liturgy]] of the year except those of [[Holy Thursday ]] and [[Holy Saturday]]. It occurs after the [[Gospels|Gospel]] reading and is interrupted by the [[Great Entrance]]. The Cherubic Hymn was added to the [[Liturgy of St [[. John Chrysostom]] by order of the Emperor [[Justinian]] near the end of the sixth century. ==The Hymn itself==

:"We, who mystically represent the [[Cherubim]], :And chant the [[trisagion|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."

Though the actual text is short, the hymn lasts for quite a while due to its drawn-out, ethereal style. It is our best imitation of and supplement to the singing of the Heavenly Hosts.

In either 573 or 574, [[Justinian]] I had the Cherubic Hymn added to the standard liturgy. The previous cherubicon used was that of the Liturgy of Saint [[Apostle James the Just==Reference==*{{note|James]], which had then been borrowed into the Liturgy of St 1}} [[Basil the Great|Basil]]http://www. This hymn, beginning with the phrase "let all mortal flesh keep silent" is currently only used on Holy Saturdayliturgica. (The cherubicon used on Holy Thursday begins, "Of thy mystical supper...")com/html/litEOLit.jsp Eastern Orthodox Liturgics]

Liturgica==External links==*[http://www.orthodoxpsalm.org/resources/glossary/a-e.html#cheru PSALM Glossary of Liturgical Terms]*[http://www.liturgica.com/html/litEOLit.jsp?hostname=null liturgica.com explains the Hymn's addition in this wayEastern Orthodox Liturgics]*[http: "During the period of the fourth to sixth centuries, the shape of the Eastern Divine Liturgy reached its final form under the guidance of liturgists such as St//www. John Chrysostomgoarch. In this same period the major formative changes occurred, most of which resulted in liturgical components that corresponded to the Church's developing theological understandingorg/print/en/ourfaith/article8049. Among them were the hymn "Only-Begotten Son" and the addition asp A Dictionary of the Nicean-Constantinopolitan Creed Orthodox Terminology] (countering heresiessee Cherubic Hymn), and "The Trisagion Hymn" reflecting the Trinitarian theology being currently defined*[http://www.antiochian.org/midwest/Articles/Development_of_Holy_Week_Services. In this period and on through the ninth century, hymns were composed and added to the Divine Liturgy, such as the ''Cherubic Hymn'', sung while the priest recites the prayer that is now called "htm The Prayer Historical Development of the Cherubic Hymn." Holy Week Services] (see Holy Thursday and especially footnote 21)

==Links=Music===*[http://www.stanthonysmonastery.org/music/Cherubic.htm#Cherubic Cherubic Hymns] from the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (Byzantine notation from the Divine Music Project)