Christ, above all glory seated

Christ, above all glory seated. Latin, possibly 9th century or earlier, translated by James Russell Woodford* (1820-1885). The Latin text of this hymn, beginning ‘Aeterne Rex altissime’*, is of unknown origin. It appears in several medieval sources, including four of the manuscripts edited by Bruno Stäblein (Monumenta Monastica Medii Aevi, Kassel, 1956): it was traditionally associated with the Feast of the Ascension. The hymn was found in the Roman Breviary of 1632 onwards for use at Matins on Ascension Day, and then daily until Whit Sunday. Woodford’s translation is the best known of many versions. It was published in his Hymns arranged for the Sundays and Holy-Days of the Church of...