The Regular Services of the Orthodox-Catholic and Apostolic Church: rubric and commentary
May 11, 2012 By Fr. Patrick
I begin entering liturgical description and commentary on up-coming commemoration-days according to the Typikon of Orthodox Christian worship. This description will consist of the rubric for the celebration of the regular services (???????? ??????????); namely, Vespers and Orthros, with variables for the Divine Liturgy. I intend to present a historically transparent description, making reference to early typika and lectionaries. It is not possible to establish any clear distinction between monastic and parochial practice, as this way of discriminating between services is subject to considerable variation. At first, this material will be selective to certain days, but eventually it will include almost every day. This will take some time to bring up to full speed! This site is not an official site of any ecclesiastical jurisdiction and carries no hierarchical authorization, implicit or explicit. Everything here is presented "for educational value." The resources I use in compiling my liturgical rubric for any given day are the following: 1. ???????, of George Rigas, 1908. [???????????? ?????? ????????? ???????] (very conservative, hews closely to the Sabbaite and Athonite way) 2. ??????? ???????, of Konstantinos Papagiannes, 2006. [?????????? ????????] (exhaustive; critical treatment of many typika, including several Athonite, along with the usual TME) 3. ???????, of George Biolakis, 1888. [Commonly referred to as TME]. This is considered the "typikon in force" among churches subject to, or in concert with, Constantinople. In short, many consider it the reference typikon for "Greek Orthodox" churches, including the Church of Antioch. However, there are considerable inconsistencies in its rubrics, as well as some deformities. 4. The important historical typika: a. Typikon of the Great Church (10th century cathedral usage of Constantinople), edited by Juan Mateos, Le Typikon de la grande Eglise. b. Typikon of St Sabbas (I refer to various manuscripts edited by Dmitrievsky, in his Opisanie Liturgitseskich Rukopisej, Vol III). This typikon is strictly monastic. It assumes the monastic all-night vigil (????????) as the norm for festal days, including the Lord's Day. c. Witnesses to the Studite typikon: Le Typicon du Monastere du Saint-Sauveur a Messina, (A.D. 1131), Miguel Arranz; Rome, 1969. And others sources will be noted where necessary. It is due to a rather intense love for, and involvement … [Read More...]
Welcome to The Daily Typikon!
March 5, 2012 By Fr. Patrick
Here is the first day of what I hope will become a daily occurrence: the posting of informative commentary on the akolouthia ("service") of the day as celebrated in the Holy Orthodox-Catholic Church of Christ. My chief sources of authority are the typika published by our Church, especially in the "Mediterranean" usage (Jerusalem-Constantinople). This order of worship stems originally from Antioch the Great, the first metropolis-church of the apostolic era. The Antiochene heritage is my own, as I serve as a presbyter under the American province of the Church of Antioch. I wish to make clear here that these postings do not constitute any "official" publication of our Church. However, I do try to be very accurate and clear in my detailed work. The Daily Typikon will consist of the following elements: First, a very brief synopsis of the nature of the day's commemoration in view. Each day will be presented on the day before its akolouthia begins to be celebrated. For example, on Monday the commentary for the akolouthia which begins to be celebrated on Tuesday evening (and runs through Wednesday afternoon) will appear. In this way, all who are interested in preparing for the upcoming commemoration will have time to prepare. As I gain traction with this project, I may begin posting yet earlier... Second, the "recipe" for the day's commemoration, along with rubrical particularities or potential points of difficulty, will be set forth. Finally, I draw brief historical, theological, and pastoral conclusions from my own reading of the day's service. Through the intercessions of our holy Fathers, may this humble offering be acceptable to God and profitable to YOU! in hope, Fr Patrick … [Read More...]
