Gloria in excelsis [Lat.,=glory in the highest], the Angelic Hymn or greater doxology, ancient Christian hymn beginning, according to the Authorized Version, "Glory be to God on high, and on earth, peace, goodwill towards men." An amplification of Luke 2.14, the hymn was of Greek origin and took its place in the Roman Mass about the beginning of the 6th cent. In the Latin Mass it follows the Kyrie.