The _Apostolic Constitutions_ is a manual in eight books, of ecclesiastical discipline, doctrine and worship, including the _Didache_.[25] Dating from the fourth or fifth century, more probably the fourth, it represents the practice of an earlier period well within the scope of this study and, in the opinion of Brightman, was compiled in Antioch or its neighborhood.[26] Since Greek was the prevailing language in the Christian world of that day, it became the liturgical language of early Christianity for the first three centuries. Even in Rome and other large cities of Italy, Greek was used. In Italy, with these exceptions and in the western provinces, Latin was employed, finally superseding Greek as the official language of the Western Church.[27] The following hymns appear in the seventh book of the Apostolic Constitutions: A morning hymn, {Doxa en hypsistois theo}, _Gloria in excelsis_, Glory to God in the highest;[28] an evening hymn, {Aineite paides}, Ye children praise the Lord,[29] which includes {Soi prepei ainos}, _Te decet laus_, Praise becomes Thee, and {Nyn apolyeis ton doulon sou}, _Nunc dimittis_, Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace; and a prayer at dinner, {Eulogetos ei}, Thou art blessed, O Lord, who nourishest me from my youth.[30] In the eighth book of the _Apostolic Constitutions_ and also in the _Liturgy of St. James_ we have the _Tersanctus_, {Hagios, hagios, hagios}, Holy, holy, holy. In another part of the same _Liturgy_ the _Trisagion_ appears, {Ho trisagios hymnos,}, Holy God, holy mighty, holy immortal, Have mercy upon us.[31] An evening hymn, {Phos hilaron}, Joyful light, is mentioned by Basil in the fourth century as very old. It was sung at vespers in the Eastern Church:[32] O gladsome light, O grace Of God the Father's face.[33] Among ancient liturgical hymns the _Te deum_ should be mentioned. It is attributed to Nicetas, Bishop of Remesiana in Dacia, and dated from the end of the fourth century. It appears to be a combination of three distinct parts. The first thirteen verses, or parts one and two, probably originated earlier than the fourth century and may have been inspired by Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, 200-258, who wrote in terms almost identical with the phrases of this early section, used of prophets, apostles and martyrs.[34] Biblical sources, especially the canticles, now appear as liturgical hymns, either in their original form or in an enlarged version.[35] The use of canticles, more particularly in their variations, is of supreme interest to the hymnologist, because it offers a theory of the origin of Christian hymnody apart from liturgical interpolations or from the psalms. Clement of Rome urged the Corinthians to unite in the spirit of praise as expressed in the seraphic chorus of Isaiah's vision, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory,