what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’
If you have ever found yourself wondering what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’, you are certainly not alone. Many churchgoers recall the melody or the opening words but cannot quite place the title or context. The short answer is: it is the Gloria, traditionally known by its Latin title, “Gloria in Excelsis Deo.” This article explains where it comes from, why it matters, when it is used, and how different Christian traditions understand it.
By the end, you will have a clear and friendly guide that not only answers what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’ but also shows you how this ancient hymn fits into worship today, what its words mean, and how to avoid common confusions with similarly named prayers.
The short answer to what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’
The prayer is called the Gloria, often given its full Latin title, “Gloria in Excelsis Deo.” In English, it begins “Glory to God in the highest…” and continues with a series of praises addressed to God the Father and to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. When people ask what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’, they are nearly always thinking of this hymn, sometimes nicknamed the “Greater Doxology” in the West, or associated with the “Great Doxology” in the Eastern Churches.
Where the opening line comes from
The very first line quotes the angels’ song in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 2:14), when they announce the birth of Jesus to the shepherds: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace…” That biblical acclamation lies at the heart of the Gloria’s identity, which is why so many people frame their question as what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’. Over time, the early Church expanded the angelic line into a complete hymn of praise, weaving together biblical phrases and early Christian devotion.
Why the Gloria matters: a hymn of praise, not a petition
The Gloria is a hymn of praise and adoration. Unlike many prayers that ask for something (intercession, forgiveness, guidance), the Gloria primarily glorifies God for who God is. It is jubilant and doxological, celebrating the holiness of God, the saving work of Jesus Christ, and the action of the Holy Spirit. Understanding that distinction helps make sense of its place in worship and clarifies why different seasons of the Church year include or omit it.
How different Christian traditions answer what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’
Most Western Christians will say the answer to what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’ is “the Gloria.” Yet practice differs a little by tradition, and its placement within services varies as well.
Roman Catholic use
In the Roman Catholic Mass, the Gloria belongs to the “Ordinary” (the parts that do not change daily). It is sung or said on Sundays outside of Advent and Lent, and on solemnities and feasts. It follows the introductory rites—after the penitential act and the Kyrie—and comes before the Collect (opening prayer). So, when a Catholic asks what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’, the answer is unequivocally the Gloria, with the 2010 English translation beginning “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.”
Anglican and Episcopal use
In Anglican and Episcopal liturgies, the Gloria is usually included on Sundays and major feast days. Depending on the specific rite or local custom, it may appear early in the service (similar to the Roman position) or after Communion. If you are an Anglican wondering what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’, you will still call it the Gloria, though you might notice a slightly different English phrasing such as “and peace to his people on earth.”
Lutheran use
Lutheran churches also retain the Gloria within the Divine Service. It is treated as a joyful hymn of praise early in the liturgy. As in other Western traditions, it may be omitted during seasons of penitence.
Eastern Orthodox parallels
Eastern Orthodox Christians do not usually use the Western “Gloria in excelsis” in the Divine Liturgy. Instead, the opening “Glory to God in the highest…” appears prominently in the Great Doxology at Matins (Orthros), especially on Sundays and feast days. While the structure and wording differ, the same angelic acclamation anchors the hymn. So, if someone within Orthodoxy asks what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’, the closest equivalent in context would be the Great Doxology at Matins rather than a part of the Eucharistic Liturgy itself.
Text and meaning: a brief walkthrough
To get a feel for the Gloria, here is a simple orientation. The hymn opens with the angelic line, praising God in the highest. It continues with a stack of acclamations that celebrate God’s glory: “We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory…” It then turns to Christology, professing Jesus as “Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,” linking to the language of John 1 (“Lamb of God”) and Revelation. A central line, “you take away the sins of the world,” echoes biblical soteriology (salvation) and culminates in praise of the Holy Spirit.
These lines show why, beyond discovering what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’, it matters to know what the prayer actually says: it is a compact confession of faith and joy, not merely a beautiful opening sentence.
Translation differences you may notice
- Roman Catholic translation since 2010: “and on earth peace to people of good will.”
- Older ecumenical or Anglican usage: “and peace to his people on earth.”
- Orthodox Great Doxology: a different arrangement, but beginning with “Glory to God in the highest…” in Greek or a vernacular translation.
These variations reflect translation choices and liturgical history. The essential meaning—praise to God and proclamation of peace—remains consistent.
When the Gloria is used, and when it is not
In the Roman Rite and in many Anglican and Lutheran settings, the Gloria is used on Sundays and feast days outside the seasons of Advent and Lent. During Advent and Lent, the Church adopts a more restrained tone, focusing on expectation (Advent) and penitence (Lent), so the Gloria is typically omitted. Exceptions include solemnities that may fall within these seasons, like a major feast, where the Gloria might still be sung according to local rubrics. Understanding this pattern helps you know when you will hear the response to what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’ in church and when you will not.
Where it sits in the service
- Roman Catholic Mass: after the Penitential Act and Kyrie, before the Collect.
- Anglican/Episcopal Eucharist: either early in the service after penitential prayers, or in some forms after Communion.
- Lutheran Divine Service: near the beginning, after the Kyrie.
- Orthodox Matins: the Great Doxology (which begins similarly) is chanted toward the conclusion of Matins on Sundays and feast days.
How to learn and pray the Gloria
Many people first ask what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’ because they have heard it sung. The Gloria has countless musical settings, from simple congregational tones to famous choral works. Learning it is easiest if you:
- Listen attentively to a familiar sung setting at your parish or church for a few weeks.
- Follow the text in a missal, service sheet, or hymnal while the choir leads.
- Practise the refrain lines, which are often the easiest to remember.
- Read the text at home and notice its structure: praise to the Father, confession of Christ, invocation of the Holy Spirit.
If you prefer to see the official Roman Catholic wording, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops provides the text and placement within Mass here: Order of Mass: The Gloria (USCCB). For a concise overview of the hymn’s history and variants, see Gloria in Excelsis Deo on Wikipedia.
Common confusions and mistakes
Because the question what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’ is so common, it is worth clearing up a few related confusions.
“Gloria” vs “Gloria Patri” (“Glory Be”)
These are not the same prayer. The “Gloria” (Gloria in Excelsis Deo) is the long hymn we have been discussing. The “Gloria Patri,” often called the “Glory Be,” is the short doxology used at the end of psalms and in personal prayer: “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…” The similar names can mislead newcomers.
Carols and songs that quote the line
Christmas carols such as “Angels We Have Heard on High” famously include the Latin refrain “Gloria in excelsis Deo.” These are inspired by the same biblical text, but they are not the liturgical Gloria used in Mass or Eucharist. If you love the carol and search what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’, you are looking for the liturgical hymn, not the carol.
Seasonal usage
Another common misunderstanding is assuming the Gloria appears every Sunday. As noted, it is omitted during Advent and Lent in many Western traditions, so do not be surprised if you do not hear it in those seasons.
The Gloria in music and culture
Composers across the centuries have set the Gloria to music: Monteverdi, Vivaldi (his “Gloria” in D major), Bach, Mozart, Haydn, Poulenc, and many more. These settings often reflect the language and theology of their time and can be powerful ways to experience the meaning of the text. If you find yourself humming the opening words and then wondering what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’, chances are you have encountered one of these musical masterpieces.
Theology in brief: what the Gloria proclaims
The Gloria encapsulates core Christian beliefs in a compact hymn:
- God’s transcendence and
