dimittis

Dimittis, usually known in Christian liturgy as the Nunc dimittis, is the Canticle of Simeon drawn from the Gospel of Luke (2:29–32). It records Simeon blessing the infant Jesus at the Temple and proclaiming that salvation has been revealed to all people.

The Latin phrase "Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine" translates as "Now you dismiss your servant, Lord." The canticle expresses Simeon’s readiness to depart in peace after recognizing Jesus as the promised salvation, a theme of fulfillment and illumination for both Israel and the nations.

In Western Christian worship, the Nunc dimittis is a standard canticle in the Liturgy of the Hours, traditionally used at evening prayer (Vespers) and, in many communities, at Lauds or Compline as well. It is common in Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran rites, among others, and is often recited or sung in various settings of the Divine Office and church services.

The canticle has been set to music by many composers, especially within the English choral tradition. Notable settings include works by Thomas Tallis and Orlando Gibbons; later contributors such as Henry Purcell and Herbert Howells have also produced widely performed versions, illustrating the text’s enduring presence in liturgical and concert repertoires.

The title derives from the opening Latin words, with "dimittis" meaning "you dismiss" or "let your servant go." The Nunc dimittis remains closely associated with the related canticles Magnificat and Benedictus in liturgical practice.