**“CRUDELIS HERODES DEUM”** — A Vespers hymn for the feast of Epiphany, composed of stanzas 8, 9, 11 and 13 of the celebrated hymn by Sedulius, which celebrate the three mysteries recurring in the feast of Epiphany: the adoration of the Magi, the Baptism in the Jordan, and the miracle at the wedding of Cana. The first stanza is a significant interrogation of Herod regarding his unfounded fear of the birth of the new king, who does not usurp earthly dominions but rather bestows the kingdom of heaven as a reward upon his followers. The entire composition is inspired by a parallel between the divine and human natures of the newborn Messiah.
Enciclopedia Cattolica