Agnus Dei

'Agnus Dei' is Latin for 'Lamb of God' and refers to Jesus Christ in his role of the perfect sacrificial offering that atones for the sins of man in Christian theology, harkening back to ancient Jewish Temple sacrifices.

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The Agnus Dei, the figure of a lamb bearing a cross, is a symbol of Jesus as the Lamb of God. The device is common in ecclesiastical art.

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Agnus Dei is also the popular name for the litany beginning with these words, which is said to have been introduced into the Mass by Pope Sergius I (687-701). Based upon John 1: 29, the Latin form (with translation) is:

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Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.

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Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.

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Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.

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Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

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Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

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Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

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This litany is spoken or sung during the Rite of Fraction and Commingling.

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It is also appended to many of the Church's litanies. In the Church of England, it is acceptable for the "Agnus Dei" to be sung in English by the choir during the administration of Holy Communion, provided that the reception of the elements is not delayed till its conclusion.

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In the Roman Catholic Church, this name also refers to a small cake made of the wax of the Paschal candle and impressed with this figure. Since the 9th century, it has been customary for the Pope to bless these cakes, and distribute them on the Sunday after Easter among the faithful. They are highly prized as having the power to avert evil. In modern times the distribution has been limited to persons of distinction, and is made by the Pope on his accession and every seven years thereafter.

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Lamb of God: The title Lamb of God may refer to:...

Jesus Christ: REDIRECT Jesus...

Christian theology: Christian theology practices theology from a Christian viewpoint or studies Christianity theologically. Given the overwhelming influence exercised by Christianity, especially in pre-modern Europe, Christian theology permeates much of Western culture and often reflects that culture....

Agnus Dei related Images and Photos (experimental)

Agnus Dei circa 1635-40	La Resa Dei Conti	Il Giardino Dei Gatti	San Giorgio Dei Greci Venice
Maria dei Medici Queen of France	The Salone Dei Cinquecento c.1495	The Scala Dei Giganti Commissioned in 1485	Amalfi Del Convento Dei Capuccini 1880
Palazzo Di Caserta Dichiarazione Dei Disegni Del Reale Palazzo Di Caserta Engraved Carlo Nolli	The Compagnia Dei Comici Gelosi with Isabella Andreini Depicted Giving a Performance in Paris	Statue and Leaning Tower of Pisa Campo Dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles) Pisa Tuscany Italy	Francis I and Alessandro Farnese Entering Paris in 1540 from the "Sala Dei Fasti Farnese" 1557-66