You are welcome!
I am a librarian, as well as a graduate student of theology working mainly on liturgical history and theology...so collecting liturgical texts is a priority.
Feel free to check with me for anything else you might need.
For all those who messaged me asking for the book of Psalis, I apologize for the delay....I've been very busy.
I came across this new site that happens to also carry the book:
http://hotfile.com/dl/180358174/632a0bd/prayersexplanation.pdf.html
ht…
Same here...I agree fully with Least of All. It would have taken me much longer to pull out all these Patristic quotes, hence why I did not respond.
For a good overview of the canonical history of this "rule" in the different churches, please refer…
RO,
Anyone know where this rule of 50 is found in the canonical corpus? Or perhaps it is just one of those rules that became such in the collective consciousness of the Church by being repeated so often? Do other Apostolic Churches observe a simila…
The oldest evidence I was able to find referencing a Resurrectional procession is from the 15th century. This would be Ms. Coptic 3 Rites in the Coptic Museum, and it is essentially a Holy Week Typikon or ritual manual.
The summary of the processi…
Hello Andrew,
Thanks for sharing the current and accepted rite today, but let me raise some issues from history, since without a proper understanding of history and theology of rites, we easily become followers of the latest fashion.
Let's not fo…
By looking at manuscript evidence, such as The Church Order manuscripts published by Bp. Samuel among others, you will see that the number of circuits was never a big issue loaded with symbolism. Manuscripts differ, and many times do not specify any…
Imikhail,
First, my name is Ramez. Unless you are calling me Ramzy as a form of endearment. Either way, no big deal :)
Orthodoxy is life not canons and rules. Yes, I absolutely agree and I never meant to imply that Orthodoxy is a code of law or a …
Aegyptoc and Ophadece,
I did intend my comment mainly for Aegyptoc and only secondarily for Ophadece, since it was Aegyptoc who first expressed the idea with which I am taking issue. Aegyptoc, you responded by saying that you do not consider langua…
Excellent, well-nuanced post, Remenkimi.
I will only pick on what I think is the most dangerous and misguided element of the discussion here. Aegyptoc said What we care about, especially as Orthodox Christians, is the truth, whatever it is about. R…
Dear Mabsoota,
The answer to your question is rather difficult for many reasons. First, if you are looking for books about liturgical development or history in the Coptic church specifically, I am afraid the answer is that very little has been writ…
Agapy,
Please refer to the story I mentioned above from the life of Pope Christodoulos (11th cent). While I am not entirely sure this story is 100% accurate, I agree that part of it may have been attacks by Muslims. However, it would definitely not…
Servos and others,
The Divine Liturgy is the most joyous and festive event in the Coptic church as well, no difference there between Copts and Eastern Orthodox. Unfortunately, this is something that is sometimes obscured by later liturgical develop…
Arsenios,
Meghalo is correct, but I would question why he calls the matins OT readings "penitent". He is perhaps judging from the church atmosphere at the time of reading, where the sanctuary curtain is closed and most lights are turned off. Howeve…
For Copts who may not be familiar with what exactly happens in the Liturgy of the Presanctified, here is a brief description.
Essentially, it is a Vespers service almost to the end. At some point, the Great Entrance is done, where the body and bloo…
Hello,
Allow me to share with you some of what I know about the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. Sorry in advance if this will not be very well connected.
The practice of reserving communion for future use is something very old, way before the …
Hmm. Lots of confusion here..
The belt thing that was used in the ceremony (and also in H.H's enthronment) is a zonarion in Greek (and zinar in Arabic). It is a girdle, and is part of the standard clerical dress even for presbyters in the Byzantine…
While any spiritual discipline is of course done in consultation with the spiritual father, most early sources (I am thinking mainly of Abul-Barakat and others around the same era) stipulate fasting until 3pm. This also agrees with some of the ritua…
Since this is not a topic I have personally researched or read about, I will limit my response to referring the readers here to some famous liturgical sources on the topic of the origins of Lent:
Maxwell Johnson, Origins of Feasts, Fasts and Season…
Dear Cyril,
No need to justify asking for sources. I simply did not want my initial post to be too long, but sources should always be the basis for any discussion of history.
Regarding the bishop's liberty in making up his own prayers, first you c…
Dear Ophadeece,
I am not sure I understand your comment. I only started following these forums closely towards the end of Fr. Peter's presence here, and I frankly don't recall him speaking about the history of the liturgy very much. Can you please …
Dear Cyril,
There is no clear answer for your initial question about why the Coptic Church does not use the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. The reason why such an observation seems odd to some today and something that demands an answer, is because …
Dear Cyril,
It is great that you are interested in the history of the Liturgy, since most people tend to focus on current practice. Perhaps you can tell us a bit more about your specific questions or topic, and then many of us can be more confident…