Oremus - Roman Rite in the Orthodox Church

Morning and Evening Prayers

2011-10-21T00:30:00.004-05:00

A helpful new resource for the ordering of the domestic church--the home--according to the traditions of the Western Rite.

Morning and Evening Prayers in the Western Rite, from sources approved for use within the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, may now be found here:

http://tinyurl.com/3wh8wkv

The prayers are given in parallel Latin and English columns.

"In the morning shall my prayer come before Thee."

Pontifical Mass, Oct. 5, 2011

2011-10-18T21:39:00.003-05:00

There are some very nice photos from the Pontifical Mass which was celebrated on Oct. 5, 2011, the feast of Sts. Maurice & Companions, Martyrs, during the Western Rites Conference in Wappinger Falls, New York. The Conference, in which clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church, Antiochian Orthodox Church, and Carpatho-Russian Diocese participated, included a Pontifical Mass in the Tridentine Use of the Roman Rite, an Anglican Liturgy, and a Gallican Liturgy.

Here is a picture from the Pontifical Mass in the Roman Rite:

More pictures here.

Travelogue here.

A DVD from the Conference is in preparation and will be offered for about $10 after video-editing is complete.

After the opening address by Metropolitan Hilarion, primate of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, there were workshops and presentations regarding the Roman Rite; Phyletism; Growing a Parish; Monastic Life in the Russian Western Rite Vicariate, and its history; etc. There were discussion sessions. Above all, every day began with the celebration of the Liturgy or Mass, and was punctuated by the little Hours (sung at their proper times throughout the day), Vespers, and Compline. There was a movie showing, a women's meeting, and excellent meals in the refectory, including Lenten meals on Wednesday and Friday.

This was an historic event, and its high level of success is due very largely to the Force of Nature also known as Fr. Anthony Bondi, Pastoral Vicar to the Metropolitan for Western Rite.

Bp. Jerome Interviewed About W. Rite

2011-10-15T09:04:00.003-05:00

On Friday, Oct. 14, 2011, an interesting interview was posted on the website of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and South America. The interviewer was mainly asking Vladyka Jerome about questions pertaining to the newly-constituted Assembly (which has apparently replaced the old SCOBA group) and pertaining to inter-Orthodox cooperation in general.

During the second half of the interview, Bp. Jerome was asked some questions relating to the Western rite in the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, whether it will be accepted as a phenomenon by the other constituent jurisdictions in the Assembly, and about what transpired at the Canonical Western Rites Conference which was held in Wappinger Falls, New York, from Oct. 4 to Oct 7, 2011.

http://assemblyofbishops.org/multimedia/conversations

(It is necessary to then click the forward arrow to hear the interview.)

Canonical Western Rites Conference 2011

2011-10-09T20:16:00.016-05:00

From Tuesday, Oct. 4, to Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, the Canonical Western Rites Conference was held in Wappinger Falls, New York, with a number of monastics, clergy, and clergy families in attendance from both the ROCOR Western Rite Vicariate (RWRV) and the Antiochian Western Rite Vicariate (AWRV).

above: Clergy, monastics, servers in the borrowed Franciscan church at the Mt. Alvernia Retreat Center, which was the site of the historic conference. Click the image to see more detail.

=========================================

DAY ONE - Tuesday.

The conference opened with an address by Metropolitan Hilarion of the ROCOR. Vladyka asked the Western rite priests to work towards their integration into the life of the Russian Orthodox Church as a whole, and he encouraged the clergy to learn the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom as a secondary rite.

Vespers and confessions, supper, and Compline rounded out this day 1 of the conference.

DAY TWO - Wednesday.

In the early morning, there was a pontifical Mass in Latin celebrated by Bishop Jerome of Manhattan, with Gregorian chant, Anglican chant, and William Byrd's "Mass for Four Voices," all the priests concelebrating with the bishop.

Pontifical Mass:

After breakfast, the day consisted of presentations alternating with Hours of the divine office. Each day the activities were punctuated with the Hours; this is the way the day proceeds in a Western rite monastery. There were talks on the building up of a parish by Fr. Peter Guilianotti, on phyletism by Fr. Irenaeus Watson, on RWRV monastic life and its history and proto-history by Dom James of Christminster, and so forth. Participants were able by this time to meet each other and come to know each other a bit.

Vespers, supper, Compline. You get the drill.

DAY THREE - Thursday.

After a St. Tikhon Mass in English celebrated by Fr. John Connely of the AWRV, and breakfast, there was conference work on various liturgical and paraliturgical questions, a two-part presentation on the Roman Mass by Fr. Nicholas Alford of Washington, D.C. (AWRV), and other features. Sext. Lunch. By this time various participants were able to make good connections with the other men and women participating in the Conference. Part of these days included choir rehearsals for various services. In the evening many of us got pizzas.

Vespers, supper, Compline. There was an evening showing of the movie "The Island" ("Ostrov"), a Russian film about the repentance and salvation of an Orthodox monastic. This film was quite edifying.

DAY FOUR - Friday.

After a Gallican Liturgy celebrated by Fr. Lev Smith of Iowa (RWRV),

we had breakfast.

On this day there was another conference session to work out some details of our WR observances, and the manner in which we conduct our public outreach. Suggestions on next year's conference, which it is thought will include a Sarum Mass to be celebrated by Fr. Hieromonk Aidan (ROCOR) and a Fraternity Liturgy. After this meeting, lunch. Sext. Regretful but mandatory farewells.

above: Clergy, their families, servers, monastics at the Conference. Click the image to see more detail.

This conference was well planned and was remarkably rich and varied in its content. Next year we hope to have some practicums, and we discussed a few minor points for improvement in the execution of the conference. Fr. Abbot David hopes to be able to attend next year's conference, and celebrate the Sarum Mass together with Fr. Aidan, and it is hoped that many of the clergy who had originally planned on attending this year's conference, but in the end were not present, will be present at the 2012 Conference.

Throughout, our Franciscan hosts were kind, gracious, accommodating, and showed a hospitable and irenic spirit. We are grateful to them. And most especially we are grateful to Fr. Anthony (Bondi), RWRV, who was the foremost planner and Force of Nature behind this successful Conference.

Deo Gratias. (Thanks be to God.)

- by a Participant

Ordination, in the Roman Rite, of Steven Tolbert, July 10, 2011

2011-07-14T23:11:00.005-05:00

http://tinyurl.com/6jsfge7

Very illuminating photo report from the ordination service. I am modifying this post since I was able to resolve the issue of enormous files slowing the loading of the photo report page.

Enjoy!

WR Vestments

2011-07-03T21:10:00.011-05:00

There follow some illustrations of Western Rite vestments. It should be noted that in presenting them, there is no claim that these are the only styles or cuts of vestments which are open to use by members of the RWRV. They are presented here as representing an older style of Western vestments.

Here is an illustration of old-style Western Rite bishop's vestments.

The bishop is wearing an older style Western mitre. In the back these have two lappets of cloth which hang behind. Around the bishop's neck is an appareled amice, which forms a sort of collar. Around the neck of the chasuble are embroidered seraphim. Over the chasuble hangs the pallium, which is similar to an omophor. Later, the pallium became restricted to archbishops. The bishop is wearing gloves, which were a standard part of pontifical vestments in the West from the 8th or 9th century onward. The bishop's crozier is of the prevalent pre-Schism style, the "Tau" crozier. The shepherd's crook style of crozier appears in the 11th century and is in use today. Early croziers often were surmounted by a cross, as shown here. The little cloth hanging from the crozier is called the panisellus. Under the bishop's chasuble may be seen the tunicle and dalmatic. Actually, only on great feasts were both of those worn together; usually just the dalmatic of sky blue or hyacinth was worn. The ends of the stole show beneath the other vestments near the bishop's feet. On the bishop's alb is sewn an apparel, a decorative square of ornamentation.

And here is an icon of St. Felix of Dunwich, apostle of East Anglia, in Western Rite bishop's vestments, wearing a mitre in the style of the 13th century.

To the left, on the hip of the saint, is what looks like an epigonation. This is actually the succinctory, which was pendant from the zona or belt (a bishop wears two, one on each side). Despite the fact that the saint lived in England, the diamond- or lozenge-shaped succinctory is here shown, known only to have been used in the Roman rite in Italy.

The following is a picture of the head of a bishop's crozier found in Iceland and dating to the late 11th century. It is of Urnes ornamentation, which was a style that flourished in the British Isles and Scandinavia from 1050 to 1170. This "Tau" style crozier was the prevalent form prior to the Schism of Rome in 1054, although there are a few examples of the shepherd's crook style predating 1054.

Comments are welcome.

Further, here are illustrations of older style Western Rite vestments for the lower clergy, servers, and priest.

Server (thurifer wears a dalmatic, and on double feasts other servers may as well):

above: The server puts on first the appareled amice, then the alb. On the sleeves are ornamentations called apparels. Usually these are squares of decorative material which do not completely encircle the wrist, but encircle it about 2/3. In later illustrations, it is hoped, this will be adjusted. Over the alb, girded up with a belt of rich cloth, is the dalmatic.

Subdeacon:

above: The subdeacon's vestments are similar but he wears a tunicle, not a dalmatic (although they are often difficult to tell from each other) and the maniple on his left wrist.

Deacon:

above: The deacon wears a dalmatic, the maniple, and also the stole, which in older English usage is worn over, not beneath, the dalmatic. In later times came two developments: the ends of the stole came to be joined under the right arm, on the side, and, by the late middle ages or earlier, the stole came to be worn beneath the dalmatic so that it was not very visible. While in the Eastern Rite we can see a combination of the two "hangs" of stole (hanging down straight from the left shoulder plus looped around under the right arm, in Western Rite so far as is known, the stole was always worn one way or the other.

Priest, in alb and amice:

above: This illustration shows how the belt (called in England the "zona") girds up the flowing folds of the alb. It should be noted that albs of silk were common, as well as albs which were red, blue, green, etc. Still, the most common colour for an alb, to this day, is white.

Priest, vested for the procession before Mass:

above: Over the amice and alb the priest is wearing the cope, secured at the neck with a brooch called a "morse."

Priest, vested for the Mass:

above: The priest in the chasuble. The orphreys or bands, as they are shown here, is a somewhat later style.

Here is an old illustration of a priest vested for Mass:

Comments are welcome on these vestment illustrations as well as the pontifical vestment illustrations.

New WR Ordination Set For July 10, 2011

2011-07-03T20:29:00.006-05:00

This just received:

"With the Blessing of the Metropolitan, next Sunday, July 10th at St Ambrose of Milan Orthodox Church in Putnam Valley NY, Steven P. Tolbert will be ordained to the Minor Orders, Subdiaconate, and Diaconate by His Grace Bishop Jerome, Vicar Bishop for Western Rite. Steven is a graduate of St Vladimir’s Seminary and a Lieutenant in the National Guard. He is coordinating four missions in Oklahoma starting with a base at St Brigit of Ireland in Claremore currently under the leadership of Reader Matthew. His ordination brings to 30 the amount of priests, deacons and subdeacons in Western Rite in the Fraternity of St Gregory here in North America not counting two deceased ROCOR (Dom Augustine and Dn. Robert [Polycarp]) WR Clergy.

"Please pray for Steven, his wife Michele, and their twins Anna and Rebecca.

“…. And the Lord added to their number.”

"Faithfully,

"Fr. Anthony
"Pastoral Vicar for Western Rite

Obit Diaconus Polycarpus, RWRV

2011-06-05T17:30:00.005-05:00

From Pastoral Vicar Father Anthony (Bondi)

Dear Fathers,

It is with profound sadness that I convey to you the death of Father Deacon
[Polycarp] Robert (Sherwood) who passed away suddenly, about 1 p.m. this afternoon.

Father Deacon is survived by his wife Lillias. At the present time we do
not know more than this. As information becomes available I will pass it on.

Fraternally,

Father Anthony
Pastoral Vicar

=========================

From Dom James, Abbot of Christminster:

The official funeral and internment of our beloved friend, brother and benefactor Robert Sherwood will take place on Thursday, 9 June 2011, at
St. Mark's Orthodox Church in Denver, Colorado.

On Saturday, at a time and place in Hamilton to be announced, there will be a non-religious memorial testimonial for him.

On Thursday at 10:00am, at Christminster, in the monastic church of Our Lady of Glastonbury, a Sung Mass of Requiem will be celebrated by Abbot James and the monastic community for the repose of his soul. We invite all his friends and colleagues to join us as we remember and pray for our departed brother and friend.

For further information on the Saturday memorial, please contact us later in the week.

In our Saviour,
Fr. James
Abbot of Christminster

=============================

Fr. Polycarp died of a sudden heart attack at his home in Barrie, Ontario, on Saturday, June 4, 2011 (new style).

Requiescat in pace! Vale, frater reverendissime.

RWRV Ukaz -- Father Anthony (Bondi)

2011-06-01T14:38:00.004-05:00

An "ukaz" in the Russian Orthodox Church means an official decree from a Bishop. Here is the Dec. 18, 2010 ukaz which appoint Fr. Anthony (Bondi) as Pastoral Vicar for the Western Rite.

Click the image to see greater detail:

Parable of the Western Rites

2011-06-01T14:17:00.002-05:00

Some have expressed either dismay, or dissatisfaction, or disapproval, regarding the fact that so many different forms of Western rite are currently permitted by the RWRV. Therefore I have thought to set down the following parable for prayerful consideration.

THE PARABLE OF THE WESTERN RITES

Once upon a time, there was a lady, and she was rich. She fed many poor, each day, from the abundance of her luxuriant fields. One day it came to the lady's attention, that some Oriental folk lived beyond the bridge, just past the hill. How they hungered for rice! But no rice grew in her fields. And the lady said to herself, "I know what I will do! I will plant rice in my fields, and the Oriental folk shall be as well-nourished as all the other folk whom I feed, each day, from my plantings." And having gone to buy seedlings, she found basmati, white, and brown. Long-grain and short-grain did she find. And as she hesitated, there approached an Oriental fellow, crying, "Basmati! Only basmati!" The lady nodded, and besought the seller of seeds for basmati. But in that very instant another fellow arrived, and he cried, "Brown! Only brown!" Soon came another,
"Long-grain only!" And others came, and cried aloud in like manner. Then the lady said (for she was a rich woman), "My dears, I will buy of each kind of seedling, and will plant. Yours it shall be to cultivate and to reap, and to seed again. The years of many harvests shall reveal, in the sight of all the town, which rice is most beloved by you and best feeds you. Only keep a constant peace amongst you." But no sooner had she said it, than the first fellow gnashed his teeth and cried out, saying, "I said basmati only, and what is this!" But she answered and said to him, "Dear sir, grow your basmati, and the Lord of the fields send good rain." Thus, therefore, after a moon of years, it happened that the rice fields were flourishing, and their cultivators were well-sated, and there was abundance and contentment. And the kind of rice which sprouted in all the fields, and refreshed all its growers, in those days, was..."

(to be continued)

Joseph DelGiorno Ordained Deacon for RWRV

2011-06-01T11:31:00.011-05:00

On May 28, 2011, at Christminster (the monastery of Christ the Saviour) in Canada, Dom Joseph DelGiorno was ordained to the sacred diaconate, in a Western rite ordination service, by Bishop Jerome of Manhattan, who assists Metropolitan Hilarion in administering the ROCOR Western Rite Vicariate (RWRV).

We declare him "dignus," and we pray that Fr. Joseph will receive grace and strength from Our Lord in the coming years to fulfill the loftiness of his sacred calling.

Ad multos annos, pater!

Reading of the Holy Gospel

At left is Bishop Jerome in Western rite vestments.

Ordination banquet

Future of Western Rite Orthodoxy

The Face of the ROCOR Western Rite Vicariate

2011-05-25T10:54:00.009-05:00

So many clergy have been received into the ROCOR recently that keeping up with their names, even, is a bit of a challenge. Much less has it been easy to come by portraits or photos of the new clergy. I was very happy to receive a photo of the Rev. Fr. John Vieages of Louisiana:

above: Rev. Fr. John Vieages, ROCOR Western Rite Vicariate

Many Years! Ad multos annos!

It goes without saying that by placing this photo of Father John here, under the headline of this post, I am not implying that Fr. John, individually, is the face of the Vicariate. That honour belongs not to Fr. John alone, but to all the clergy and all the faithful believers of the Vicariate. God grant them all a good success.

I hope to post more photos of our new clergy here, as available. To that end, reader assistance is requested. Just send me any photos at hieromonachusaidanus at yahoo dot com. Of course, there is a growing photo album on the Occidentalis website at:

http://www.allmercifulsavior.com/Western.html

Western Rite Vicariate Established

2011-05-25T10:50:00.002-05:00

BREAKING NEWS:

"At the proposal of the President of the Synod of Bishops, a Western Rite Vicariate was established. His Grace Bishop Jerome of Manhattan was appointed assistant to the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad in ministering to these communities."

NEW YORK: May 17, 2011
The Council of Bishops of the Russian Church Abroad Comes to a Close
http://www.synod.com/synod/eng2011/20110517_ensoborconclusion.html

New W. Rite Ordination in Russian Church

2011-04-27T09:45:00.009-05:00

By the grace of God and at the hands of His Grace Bishop JEROME of Manhattan, acting for the Metropolitan, Father Philip Ramstad of Sts. Aidan & Cuthbert parish in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States of America, was ordained to the diaconate on Tuesday, April 26, 2011.

On Wednesday, April 27, 2011, he will be ordained to the priesthood to serve in the Western Rite.

Fr. Philip is a former Anglican priest who was received into the Orthodox Church years ago. May God grant him many years! Ad multos annos!

above: an older picture of Fr. Deacon Philip

====================================
O Lord, we beseech Thee to guide Thy servant the deacon Philip, and by the intercession of blessed Mary the Mother of God, and of all Thy Saints, multiply in him the gifts of Thy grace, that he may be delivered from all evil, and that lacking not in temporal aid, he may rejoice in the teachings of life eternal. Through Christ our Lord, amen." (from "Orthodox Prayers of Old England," available from St. John Cassian Press)
====================================

"...and the Lord added to their number." (Acts 2:47)

Palm Sunday in the Sarum Use of the Roman Rite

2011-04-17T20:46:00.007-05:00

SUNDAY OF FORGIVENESS
called Palm Sunday by the people
[station at St. John Lateran]

Preparations
* Willow branches and/or palms; leaves & flowers
* Ark of Relics of the Saints
* Processional Cross, veiled
* Holy water
* Cross in the yard outside the church
* Gospel-book for taking outdoors

The branches for clergy are placed on the altar, the others on a carpet on the step, to the south side.
Stations: The stations in this procession will be made: (1) in the northeast corner of the churchyard; (2) in the southeast corner; (3) in front of the west doors of the church; (4) in front of the holy doors inside the church.

Vestments: For the procession, all the ministers are in albs & amices, without tunicles. The Priest has on a red silk cope, & the choir their usual black copes.

BLESSING OF BRANCHES & PALMS

¶ Holy water is blessed softly today, at a side altar.

¶ After the Third Hour holy water is sprinkled, & after the sprinkling this reading is done at the step of the altar by an acolyte vested in an alb, facing north, over the flowers & leaves:

Lesson Exod 15:27-16:10, Comp. p. 151

¶ The deacon gets a blessing & reads this gospel from a stand, facing east over the flowers & leaves, in the tone for simple feasts:

Gospel Jn 12:12-19, Comp. p. 152

STATION FOR THE READINGS & THE BLESSING OF BRANCHES:

Bishop: If present, he shall bless the branches.

¶ The priest then, on the altar step, facing the altar, softly blesses the branches thus, with his hand extended over them [i.e., with the thumb folded between the index and middle fingers, and the fourth and fifth fingers folded down--this is the ancient Western way of disposing the fingers whenever a priest blesses something]:

I exorcise thee, O creature of flowers and branches, in the name of + God the Father almighty, and in the name of + Jesus Christ His Son our Lord, and by the power of the + Holy Spirit: therefore, O every power of the adversary, every army of the Devil, every might of the enemy, every attack of demons, be thou uprooted and eradicated from this creature of flowers and branches, and pursue not the footsteps of those who hasten towards the grace of God. + Through Him Who shall come to judge the living and the dead and the world by fire. All: Amen.

Let us pray. Collect Omnipotens sempiternae
O almighty, everlasting God, Who in the overflowing of the Flood didst bring Thy servant Noë tidings that peace had been restored to the earth, through the mouth of the dove bearing an olive branch: Thee we humbly entreat that this creature of flowers and twigs and palm-fronds, and branches of trees, which we offer in the sight of Thy glory, Thy Truth would + sanctify, that the pious people taking them in their hands may be found worthy to secure Thy blessing. Through...

Let us pray. Collect Deus cujus
O God, Whose Son came down from heaven to earth for the salvation of the human race, and when the hour of His Passion drew nigh willed to come to Jerusalem sitting on an ass, and to be called King, and to be praised: increase the faith of those who place their hope in Thee, and mercifully hear the prayers of the humble. O Lord, we beseech Thee: let Thy blessing come upon us, and be pleased to + bless these branches of palms and other trees, that all who shall carry them may be filled with the gift of Thy blessing. Grant, therefore, O Lord, that even as the children of the Hebrews, crying, 'Osanna in the highest,' ran out to meet the same Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, with branches of palms, so also we, holding tree-branches, may run to meet Christ with good works, and enter into everlasting joy. Through the same...

Let us pray. Collect Deus qui dispersa
O God, Who gatherest what is scattered, and preservest what is gathered: Who didst bless the people meeting Christ Jesus and carrying branches of palms and other trees: + bless Thou also these branches of palms and of other trees, which Thy faithful receive with faith as a means to bless Thy name: that whithersoever they may be brought, those that dwell in that place may all receive Thy blessing: and that once every stonghold of the adversary is put to flight, Thy right hand may protect those it redeemed. Through the same...

¶ He sprinkles the flowers & branches with holy water & censes them, then sings in a loud voice:

|V.| The Lord be with you.
|R.| And with thy spirit.
Let us pray. Collect Domine Ihesu
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, Creator and Redeemer of the world, Whose good pleasure it was to come down from the highest peak of heaven, and take flesh, and suffer Thy Passion, to save us and set us free: and Who by Thine own free will, when Thou wert drawing nigh to the very spot of Thy Passion, didst wish to praised and blessed by the multitudes coming to greet Thee with branches of palms, and to be called in a clear voice the blessed King coming the name of the Lord: do Thou now accept the acclamation of our thankfulness, and mayest Thou be pleased to + bless and + sanctify these branches of palms and other trees, and of flowers: that whosoever taketh any of them from this place, in reverence for Thy power, may be found worthy to receive the rewards of eternal life, and the remission of his sins, being sanctified with blessing from heaven. + Through Thee, O Jesus Christ, Saviour of the world, Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, God through all the ages of ages. |R.| Amen.

Bishop: He goes to his throne, where the first branch distributed is brought to him. One of the priests distributes the branches.

¶ The choir sings the antiphons; the Priest distributes branches to clergy, then people-who kiss his hand. Meanwhile the procession is readied.

Antiphon. Pueri Hebræorum, tone 1. The children of the Hebrews, taking up olive-branches, went forth to meet the Lord, crying out and saying, 'Osanna in the highest.'

Antiphon. Pueri Hebræorum, tone 1. The children of the Hebrews, spread their garments in the way, and cried, saying, 'Osanna to the Son of David; blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.'

Antiphon. Prima autem, tone 8. On the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, 'Where wilt Thou that we prepare for Thee to eat the pasch?' And Jesus said to them, 'Go into the city, to a certain man, and say to him: The Master saith: My time is at hand. I will celebrate the pasch at thy house with My disciples.' And the disciples did as the Lord had commanded them, and they made ready the pasch.

If possible, there is a "minor" party in the procession: (1) a Cross-bearer carrying a silver Cross; (2) two Banner-bearers; (3) a Lantern-bearer; (4) two Clergy carrying the ark of relics.

¶ Main procession: (1) Banner-bearers; (2) Cross-bearer; (3) Server with holy water; (4) Taper-bearers; (5) Thurifers; (6) Subdeacon; (7) Deacon with Gospel-book; (8) Priest in a silk cope; (9) all the Clergy in choir; (10) the Bishop, if he is present; (11) all the people, holding their branches & bringing garlands.

¶ During the antiphon above, the bells are rung & the main procession leaves through the holy doors, passing along the cloister porch, out the canons' door, going clockwise to the first station.

GOING TO THE FIRST STATION -1

Antiphon. Cum appropinquaret, tone 7. When the Lord drew nigh unto Jerusalem, He sent two of His disciples, saying, 'Go ye into the village which is over against you, and ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her, upon which no man yet hath sat. Loose them and bring them to Me. If any man shall ask of you, say ye that the Lord hath need of them.' And loosing them they brought them to Jesus, and they laid their garments upon them, and He sat thereon. And others spread their garments in the way; and others cut boughs from the trees. And those that followed cried, saying, 'Osanna; Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord; Blessed is the kingdom of David our father; Osanna in the highest; Have mercy on us, O Son of David!'

If they are needed for time's sake, these are sung also:

Antiphon. Cum audisset, tone 5. When the people had heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took branches of palms, and went forth to meet him, and the children cried out, saying, 'This is He Who is to come for the salvation of the world. He is our salvation, and the redemption of Israel. How great He is, to Whom Thrones and Dominions hasten. Fear not, daughter of Sion; behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt, as it is written. Hail, O King, Creator of the world, Who art come to redeem us.

Antiphon. Ante sex, tone 8. Six days before the solemn feast of the pasch, when the Lord came into the city of Jerusalem, children ran to meet Him, and in their hands they carried branches of palms, and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'Osanna in the highest!'

Antiphon. Ante sex, tone 8. Six days before His Passion, the Lord came into the city of Jerusalem, and children ran to meet Him, and in their hands they carried branches of palms, and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'Osanna in the highest; Blessed art Thou, Who hast come in the multitude of Thy mercy; Osanna in the highest!'

FIRST STATION - 1

¶ Choir forms two rows, facing one another, on the north & south edges of the station (called a gantlet).
Note: Cross- & taper-bearers assemble just west of the Cross.

¶ The deacon to read the Gospel gets a blessing as usual from the highest-ranking priest present, then reads the Gospel facing east, in the simple festal tone, in the centre of the gantlet.

Gospel Mt 21:1-9, Comp. p. 153

"Minor" Party: At the end of this Gospel, at the words, "Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord," the "minor" party with the relics ark appear & situate themselves in the centre of the gantlet of clergy & choir, slightly east of the deacon & priest.

[[Bishop: The Deacon faces the Bishop & sings loudly:

O Prince of the Church, shepherd of the sheepfold, may it please thee to bless the people given into thy keeping.

The Deacon turns to the people & sings loudly:

With meekness, and charity, bow down yourselves for a blessing. R. Thanks be to God.

Bishop's Blessing Deus omnipotens
May almighty God, the fountain of goodness, and well-spring of virtue, Who hath showed you examples of patience and humility by His only-begotten Son, help you to flower with increases of good works. All: Amen.

And may He Who five days before the pasch, that is, this very day, wished to sit upon an ass, and to be called a King by the multitudes as He came to Jerusalem, grant you to be so adorned with the flowers of virtues that ye may be able to please Him to the end, with the blessed. Amen.

That when the inerrant Judge shall come at the end of the world, to conduct His examination of the world, ye may be able to go and meet Him fearlessly, being beautified with the adornments of righteous deeds, and as lovers of peace to be placed by Him amidst the heavenly pastures. Amen.

Which may He deign to grant, Who with His co-eternal Father and the Holy Spirit liveth, and is glorified, God throughout undying ages of ages. Amen. | May...]]

¶ Then a boy, from a high balcony, sings:

Jerusalem, look thee unto the east, and behold: lift up thine eyes, O Jerusalem, and see the power of thy King.

SALUTATIONS

¶ Three singers come from the north & south rows to stand just to the west of the churchyard Cross, facing west to the people, singing:

Behold, Thy King cometh meek to thee,
O Sion, mystical daughter,
Sitting humble upon His creatures,
He Whom the prophetic reading had foretold was to come.

¶ The eldest of the clergy sings: Hail, O Je- sus! [the original in the missal has musical notes]

¶ He & everyone kneel, kiss the ground, then rise to their feet.

Choir (when on feet again:)
To Whom the people of the Hebrews bare witness,
Crying out the words of salvation
As they met Thee with palm branches.

¶ The boy in the balcony sings:

Behold, the Saviour cometh to release thee from thy chains; lift up your heads!

¶ The three singers in front of the Cross:

This is He Who cometh from Edom, red in Bosra's garments,
Comely is He in His robe, walking onward in His virtues,
Not on horses ready for battle,
Neither in exalted chariots.

¶ Eldest: Hail, Light of the world! (prostration by all)

Choir: King of kings, glory of heaven,
With Whom there remaineth dominion,
Praise, and glory, now and for ever.

¶ The boy in the balcony sings:

Behold, your redemption will be drawing nigh. He withdraws.

¶ The three singers before the Cross:

This is He Who as a silent Lamb was delivered to death,
O death of death, and sting of hell,
Granting us to live through Thy death,
As once the blessed Prophets promised prophetically.

¶ Eldest: Hail, O our sal-va-tion! (prostration by all)
Choir: Our true peace, redemption, and strength,
For Thou wentest further and for our sakes
Didst submit Thyself to the authority of death.

GOING TO THE SECOND STATION - 2

¶ First goes (1) the cross-bearer, exchanging the wooden for a silver cross, flanked by (2) two taper-bearers; (3) the other clergy as they were before; the ark of relics being borne between the subdeacon & the deacon, it being preceded by a lantern, & flanked by two banners. And (4) the choir follows, singing the antiphons below. The (5) people, before leaving the station, throw their garlands & flowers onto the churchyard Cross.

Antiphon. Dignus es, tone 4. Thou art worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honour. (Apoc 4:11)

Antiphon. Occurrunt, tone 8. The multitudes, with palms and flowers, go forth to meet their Redeemer, and to render Him the homage worthy of a triumphant victor: The Gentiles proclaim the Son of God with their mouth, and to the praise of Christ their voices thunder through the clouds: 'Osanna!'

If needed for time's sake, the following are also sung:

Antiphon. Dominus Jesus, tone 2. Six days before the pasch, the Lord Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus had died, | Whom Jesus raised to life. |V.| And many of the Jews resorted thither, that they might see Lazarus. | Whom Jesus...

Antiphon. Cogitaverunt, tone 8. And the chief priests took counsel, that they might put Lazarus to death. | For on account of him, many came and believed on Jesus. |V.| For the multitude gave testimony, that was with Him when He raised Lazarus from the dead. | For on account...

SECOND STATION - 2

¶ Outdoors, the southeast corner of the churchyard. In the station, seven singers, children if possible, sing together the hymn of Theodulf of Orleans (†821):

Hymn. Gloria, laus
Glory and praise and honour be to Thee,
Christ, King and Redeemer;
To Thee the flowering crown of youth
Sang fervently: Osanna!

Choir: Glory, and praise...

Children: Israel's King art Thou, the illustrious Son of David Thou, O Thou blessed King, Who comest in the name of the Lord God.

Choir: Glory, and praise...

Children: With rejoicing on high, every heaven-dweller praiseth Thee; and everyone subject to death, together with all creation.

Choir: Glory, and praise...

Children: The Hebrew people came forth with palms, to meet Thee in the way; Lo, we are here in Thy presence with prayer, with vows, and with hymns.

Choir: Glory, and praise...

GOING TO THE THIRD STATION - 3

¶ The procession now moves to the third station, passing through the cloister area along the right porch, the choir singing:

Antiphon. Collegerunt, tone 2. The chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council, and they said, 'What do we? for this man doth many miracles. If we let Him alone so, all will believe in Him. | Nay, let not the Romans come, and take away our place and nation. (cf. Mt. 21:47,48) [It should be noted that this antiphon is music from the ancient Gallican rite which vanished from history.]

THIRD STATION - 3

¶ Outdoors, before the west doors-which are closed. At the doors, three singers (clergy) face west to the people to sing:

|V.| But one of them, named Caiphas, being the high priest that year, prophesied, saying: It is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. From that day, therefore, they devised to put Him to death, saying: (cf. :49-53) | Choir: Nay, let not... And all turn to the doors.

ENTRY THROUGH THE WEST DOOR

¶ The priest knocks on the doors with his hand or the staff of the processional Cross. The doors are opened from inside; the bells are rung; the choir begins the Responsory below. Those holding the relics ark enter first, then hold the ark up high between them, just inside the doors. The priest makes a reverence & enters, followed by ministers, choir, & people, everyone passing beneath the relics.

Responsory. Ingrediente, tone 2. When the Lord entered into the holy city, the children of the Hebrews, announcing the resurrection of life, | With branches of palms, cried out: Osanna in the highest! |V.| And when they had heard that Jesus was come to Jerusalem, they went forth to meet Him in the way. | With branches...

¶ And as the clergy & choir enter, they take their places in a gantlet leading up to the roodscreen door.

FOURTH STATION - 4

¶ In church, before the Cross atop the iconostasis.

Bishop: He may give a sermon on the Holy Cross at this point.

¶ The Cross atop the iconostasis is partially unveiled, the eldest of the clergy standing in the middle before it, & saying:

¶ Eldest: Hail, O our King! [there is musical notation above this in the missal]

¶ The eldest, & all the clergy, choir, & people, make a prostration (they kneel & trace a cross upon the ground, then kiss the ground on top of the cross, then rise to their feet).

¶ Choir, once standing: 'Hail, O our King!' (same melody)

¶ The Cross is unveiled further, & the Eldest says, louder:

Hail, O our King! [with musical notes]

¶ All make a prostration like before.

¶ Choir, once standing: 'Hail, O our King!' (same melody)

¶ The Cross is completely unveiled, & the Eldest says, louder still:

Hail, O our King! [with musical notes]

¶ All make a prostration like before. Once standing, the choir sings:

Hail, O our King, Son of David, Redeemer of the world, Whom the Prophets foretold would come to be the Saviour and Lord of Israel! For the Father sent Thee into the world to be our salvation-bringing Sacrifice, Whom all the saints awaited from the foundation of the world. And now: Osanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord; Osanna in the highest!

¶ Now the entry through the holy doors is made, the choir singing:

Responsory. Circumdederunt, tone 2
Deceitful men have encircled Me; without a cause have they rained down scourges upon Me. | But Thou, O Lord, my defender, deliver Thou Me. | |V.| For tribulation is nigh, for there is none to help Me. (Ps 21:11) | But Thou... (no Glory be)

¶ All the Crosses in the church are unveiled, until after Vespers. At the step, the Priest sings the versicle, etc. shown below.

Bishop: He reads the Collect in the very centre of the church.

|V.| Rescue me from mine enemies, O God.
|R.| And from them that rise up against me redeem me. (Ps. 58:1)
Let us pray. Collect of the Mass below.

MASS OF PALM SUNDAY

¶ The people hold their branches until the offertory.

Officium. Domine ne longe, tone 8. Trope 'Suspensus ligno.'

Hanging upon the Tree, thus spake the Son unto His Father: O Lord, remove not Thy help far from Me. Nay, but swiftly help Me, with Thy fatherly compassion: Attend unto Mine aid; save Me from the mouth of the lion, For it desireth to tear Me, the Guiltless, with its ferocious teeth, And My lowliness from the horns of the unicorns. (Ps. 21:19,21)
|V.| O God, my God, attend to Me why hast Thou forsaken Me? (:1)
Behold, ye voices resonating through the skies: Chant unto Me praises, singing: O my Father, O my glory, O Lord, remove not Thy help far from me. The rulers, and deceitful men, they gnash upon me with their teeth in fury, raging fierce against me. But Thou, O my God, O my salvation, Attend unto mine aid; save me from the mouth of the lion, and my lowliness from the horns of the unicorns.
+ Glory be... As it was...
The noble psalm-singer of Israel, and accurate Prophet, that is, David, once sang to Christ with tender feeling, thus: O Lord, remove not Thy help far from me, But bestow Thy speedy help upon me, O illustrious King of heaven. Attend unto mine aid; save me from the mouth of the lion, and my lowliness from the horns of the unicorns.

¶ Kyrieleyson with verses.

Collect Omnipotens sempiternae
O almighty, everlasting God, Who didst cause our Saviour to take on flesh and endure the Cross, as an example of humility for the human race to follow: mercifully grant that we may be found worthy both to hold fast the teachings of His long-suffering and to become partakers of His Resurrection. Through...

Epistle Phil 2:5-11, Comp. p. 154

Graduale. Tenuisti, tone 4. Thou hast held me by my right hand, and by Thy counsel Thou hast guided me, and with glory hast Thou taken me to Thyself. |V.| How good is God to Israel, to them that are upright of heart! But as for me, my feet were all but shaken; my steps well nigh had slipped. For I was jealous of the transgressors when I beheld the peace of sinners. (Ps 72:23,24,1-3)

Tract. Deus Deus meus, tone 2. O God, my God, attend to me: why hast Thou forsaken me? |V.| Far from my salvation are the words of my trangressions. |V.| My God, I will cry by day, and wilt Thou not hearken? and by night, and it shall not be unto folly for me. |V.| But as for Thee, Thou dwellest in the sanctuary, O Praise of Israel. In Thee have our fathers hoped; they hoped, and Thou didst deliver them. |V.| Unto Thee they cried, and were saved; in Thee they hoped, and were not brought to shame. |V.| But as for me, I am a worm and not a man, a reproach of men, and the outcast of the people. |V.| All that look upon me have laughed me to scorn. They have spoken with their lips and have wagged their heads: |V.| 'He hoped in the Lord; let Him deliver him; let Him save him, for He desireth him!' |V.| And they themselves have looked and stared upon me. They have parted my garments amongst themselves, and for my vesture have they cast lots. |V.| Save me from the mouth of the lion, and my lowliness from the horns of the unicorns. |V.| Ye that fear the Lord, praise Him; all ye that are of the seed of Jacob, glorify Him. |V.| The generation that cometh shall be told of the Lord, and they shall proclaim His righteousness. |V.| To a people that shall be born, which the Lord hath made. (Ps 21:1-8,17,18,21,23,31)

Passion: Sung by three clergy if possible. Note: The people stand throughout the Passion.

Passion Mt 26,27:1-61, p. 154

Gospel Mt 27:62-66, p. 176

Offertory

¶ The people come forward in procession to offer their branches, laying them upon a tray held by the server or Priest himself, kissing the Priest's hands. And meanwhile, the choir sings:

Offerenda. Improperium, tone 8. My soul hath awaited reproach and misery. And I waited for one that would grieve with Me, but there was no one, and for them that would comfort Me, but I found none. And they gave Me gall to eat, and for My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink. |V.| Save Me, O God, for the waters are come in unto my soul. My soul... |V.| They prated against Me, they that sit in the gates, & they made a song about Me, they that drink wine. My soul... |V.| But as for me, with My prayer I cry unto Thee, O Lord: it is time for Thy good pleasure in the multitude of Thy mercy. My soul... (Ps 68:20-21,1,2)

Secret Concede quaesumus
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that the gift offered up in the eyes of Thy majesty may both obtain us the grace of unselfish love and secure for us the effects of blessed, immortal life. Through...

Preface Per quem nobis
... Everlasting God. Through Christ our Lord, through Whom forgiveness is imparted to us and peace is preached in every age. Self-mastery is bestowed upon all of us who believe, so that the swift-approaching day may receive us as ones who have become holy. And therefore with Angels and Archangels...

Communion. Pater si, tone 8. Father, if this chalice may not pass away, but I must drink it, Thy will be done. (Mt 26:42) |V.| Nevertheless, not as I will but as Thou wilt. (ib.) No Glory be. Father... |V.| On the Mount of Olives, Jesus fell upon His face praying and saying. (:39) Father...

Postcommunion Per hujus Domine
By the working of this Mystery, O Lord, may our sinful ways be purged and our righteous desires be fulfilled. Through...

Prayer of Bowed Heads Purifica quaesumus
Purify Thy family, O Lord, we beseech Thee, and cleanse us of all defilements of evil deeds: that the vessels redeemed by the Passion of their Lord may not be tainted again by the unclean spirit, but salvation everlasting fill them to the full. Through...

¶ Note: After Mass, the tray of blessed branches is laid out in church, & the people take them home, placing them above the doors to their homes.

--from Old Sarum Rite Missal, (c) 1998 St. Hilarion Press

Where did the Milan Synod Western Rite Come From?

2011-04-06T12:38:00.016-05:00

(above: an old Roman rite Liturgy)

The Milan Synod gained a lot of respect for its phenomenal scholarly work on the Western rite. Certainly, no other body from 1870 to the present has published or made available even one tenth of the rich liturgical materials which Milan Synod publishers made available to modern, English-speaking people from 1988 to 2004. These materials represent an authentic liturgical tradition of the Orthodox West. That is, they are pre-Reformation forms of the Roman rite and represent an intact preservation of the traditions of worship of Western Europeans' Orthodox Christian ancestors. Making this world of prayer accessible to modern-day faithful of the Orthodox Church was a daring, controversial, and astounding accomplishment, entirely unique within the Orthodox Western Rite world.

So where did this historic, authentic, pre-Reformation Western rite come from? Who in modern times first began to pray using such texts? Where did the concept itself come from?

From within Russian Orthodoxy, to be exact. A young Yankee fellow named John Robert Shaw converted to the Holy Orthodox Faith at the age of sixteen. Graduating at the top of his class from Jordanville Seminary in the 1960s, he was ordained priest in short order. An accomplished Latinist, Fr. John had come into contact in the 1960s both with Western Rite Orthodoxy and Old Rite Russians. And he discovered there was a connection: Russian Old Believers who emigrated from Turkey in about 1963, and wound up in America, personally relayed to Fr. John their eyewitness accounts of the use of Western rite within the Russian Old Believer community (the "Liturgy of St. Peter"). Seeing the beautiful worship of the Old Rite Russians, worship conducted largely off hand-written pages instead of modern printed books, a lightbulb went off in Fr. John's head. Why couldn't the same be done with the Western Rite? Why would one need to base an Orthodox WR on modern Roman-Catholic books, when one could base it on pre-Reformation manuscripts showing an intact Western Orthodox service? Using such material for WR worship would resolve difficulties of the West's radically-altered liturgical culture, of her doctrinal errors creeping into texts, of heretical psychology in the modern books. (This is my own characterisation of Fr. John's thoughts on the matter; his own words can be read on the Occidentalis website.)

(above: Old Rite Russian church of the Nativity, Erie, Pennsylvania)

And thus there was born the concept of Sarum Rite Orthodox services. At the very same time, the influence of Holy Transfiguration Monastery was expanding in the ROCOR. Western Rite was on the "outs and outs." A new type of rigorism and Orthodox ultra-purity was taking shape and spreading like wildfire amongst ROCOR converts who were English-speaking only. It was as if Fr. John had found a beautiful rose plant, but there was no soil for it.

(above: old-rite Western Orthodox prayer book, now canonically-approved, published originally within the Milan Synod)

Receptive, fertile soil was found in a small group of Christians, largely of Roman Catholic background, who had associated with the remains of William Henry Francis Brothers' Western Orthodox Old Catholic jurisdiction. They believed in the Orthodox Faith, and had been part of the Moscow Patriarchate (at least a core of them), but now found themselves cut off from the Orthodox administrations. Nor were they satisfied being independent; they were seeking, from 1975 on, to rejoin Eastern Orthodoxy. Fr. John was in communication with this cluster of isolated believers and convinced them to go over to the Sarum Use of the Roman rite as much-better suited to Orthodoxy than the Tridentine Use of the Roman rite which they had been observing. Abbot John (LoBue) was particularly strongly opposed to abandoning the modern (Tridentine) Roman rite in favour of the Sarum, but after the switch became one of the Sarum's staunchest supporters. A publishing effort was soon underway, with the Latinists of the group setting about making available to modern Americans and other Anglophones the riches of the West's Orthodox liturgical heritage.

In 1997 the group was absorbed into the Milan Synod, and the publishing continued at a dizzying pace. Starting in 2004, clergy of the group starting going over to the Russian Orthodox Church where Sarum work had originated and was approved and protected. Some of these clergy included Hieromonk Aidan (Keller), Hieromonk (now Abbot) David (Pearce), Hieromonk Sergei (Armstone), Hieromonk Christopher (Wayt), Priest Paul Maletta, and Hieromonk George (Grube).

(above: Fr. Hieromonk Aidan serving in an Eastern rite chapel, 2011)

(Fr. Abbot David of Jacksonville, Florida)

Responding to favourable feelings towards Russian Orthodoxy on the part of Milan Synod clergy and faithful, the centre of Western rite in the Milan Synod, the Holy Name of Jesus Abbey in West Milford, New Jersey, first issued an anti-Russian-Orthodox statement, then broke communion with the rest of the Milan Synod, which seems to be, as of this writing on April 6, 2011, in the actual process of joining the Moscow Patriarchate.

Creation at Milan of a new, American Metropolia in February 2011. Right to left: the new Metropolitan John (LoBue), Metropolitan Evloghios (Hessler), and Bishop Phanourios of Lincoln in England. A few days after being created, the new Metropolia broke communion with its Mother Synod, stating its Mother Synod was tainted by false ecumenism.

The anti-Russian statement from the new American Metropolia is called "Confession of Faith," and it condemns

"the organization which calls itself the Moscow Patriarchate; sitting as it does in the temples of God, being an abomination of desolation." (Clergy Confession 2,C).

It also states that...

"...the World Orthodox have fallen repeatedly for several generations under anathemas, mass canonical violations, and most importantly of all, a deficiency in the Faith, and have not sought to correct these problems after decades of stern warnings by their own most celebrated luminaries."

It concludes that...

"... communion in the Mysteries, or prayer, and any other expressions of Catholic Unity is impossible" (Clergy Confession 4,C)

... between the West Milford Synod and the Russian Orthodox Church and the other Orthodox Churches. It also states that...

"... the Patriarchs commit blasphemy if they do retain the Mysteries and that "they do so to their own eternal damnation to the fires of hell..." (4,D)

(above: Fires of Hell)

But from the Russian Orthodox Church came all the pious seeds of West Milford's Western Rite, and one may disagree with one's father or mother, but should honour father and mother, in accordance with the teaching of the law of God. Perhaps one might even pray together with one's father or mother. In any case, Fr. John has become Bishop Jerome of Manhattan, assistant in WR affairs to the beloved Metropolitan Hilarion of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. The Sarum is an approved usage in the Russian Church. Holy Transfiguration in Boston seems like a distant shadow. Many Old Believers who left Turkey in 1963 have fallen asleep in the Lord. In America there are third-generation Western Rite Orthodox, many of them faithful of the Antiochian Archdiocese's Western Rite Vicariate. The future will be determined by our faithfulness to Christ and to the fullness of Holy Orthodoxy in whatever rite, and by God's Will. It will be determined by prayer and fasting. It will be determined by tears of thanks and of repentance. It will be determined by the sending of Angels from God's throne to the earth. No one can say what the future holds, except that it will be a chalice filled with God's love for mankind.

(above: the much-beloved Metropolitan Hilarion [Kapral] of New York, first hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia)

Fr. Hieromonk Aidan+
Holy Protection Orthodox Church, Austin, Texas

Pontifical Masses Scheduled within the Russian Orthodox Church 2011

2011-04-04T10:46:00.014-05:00

On three occasions in this year of 2011, a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy is scheduled to be celebrated in the Western Rite by Bishop Jerome of Manhattan, Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR).

Here is a picture with Vladika in newly-donated purple vestments:

Left to right are: Fr. Edward Hughes, Vicar General AWRV; Fr. Anthony Bondi, Pastoral Vicar for the ROCOR Western Rite, Bishop Jerome Vicar-Bishop for the Western Rite (ROCOR) and Fr.John Fenton, Assistant Vicar General AWRV.

Pontifical Mass 1

Scheduled is a Pontifical Mass in the Western Rite, with a clerical ordination in the Western rite, at Our Lady of Glastonbury church at Christminster in Ontario, on the weekend of May 28 and 29, 2011.

Pontifical Mass 2

Scheduled is the Pan-Western Rite Conference* from Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. to the afternoon of Friday, Oct. 7, 2011. The conference will take place at the Mt. Alvernia Retreat Center, Wappinger Falls, New York. There will be a Pontifical Mass celebrated at this retreat by Bishop Jerome of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Pontifical Mass 3

Scheduled also is a Pontifical Mass for the parish of Christ the King, Tullytown, Pennsylvania (Russian Orthodox Church), on some date to be determined later in this year. Bishop Jerome will celebrate this service.

* Conference Cost information:
Individual: $150
Couple: $225
Couple and 2 children: $225

Pontifical Mass 4

According to His Grace Bishop Jerome, in a communication dated Apr. 5, 2011, a fourth pontifical Mass is being planned for later in this year of 2011. Details will be shared when they are available.

New Western Rite Ordinations

2011-03-04T10:16:00.002-06:00

"With the Blessing of Metropolitan Hilarion,

"Reader Polycarp Robert Sherwood will be ordained to the Diaconate this Wednesday and start a parish, St Mary the Virgin Orthodox Church. (Feast day August 15^th) in Barrie, Ontario, Canada.

"Joseph Gagliano has been blessed for ordination to the Diaconate (date to be announced) and start a parish, Holy Mother of God Orthodox Church (Feast day- Tikhvin Icon- June 26^th) in Maylene, Alabama, USA

"We ask your prayers for these our brothers as they assume the mantle of ministry, and for those whom they serve.

"Fr Anthony
"Pastoral Vicar for Western Rite"

Expanding Western Rite in ROCOR

2011-02-04T14:09:00.005-06:00

The newly-received Western rite clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia are now listed on the parish directory page at http://www.rocor.org. The parishes are identified with the special words "Western Rite," in the directory.

We welcome our new Western rite brothers and sisters with open arms in the love of our Saviour.

One of the new clergy is Fr. Michael of San Antonio's St. Michael and All Angels church, a home oratory. Below is a photo of Fr. Michael from Laetare Sunday 2011, in thumbnail format:

Metropolitan Jonah on the Western Rite

2011-01-12T10:13:00.003-06:00

"We are a single community of Orthodox Christians, and we are the local Church in Dallas, the local Church in Northeast Texas. It doesn't matter that we have all these various administrative jurisdictions, ultimately, because we gather together as one Body, to pray with one mind and one heart, to celebrate the same Eucharist, to come to the same chalice. It doesn't matter if we are Eastern Rite or Western Rite, doesn't matter the language in the service is, but...we are one Church. We are one local Church, and I might add, we are one indigenous Church."

- comments by Metr. Jonah, April 2009

above: Metropolitan Jonah, Orthodox Church in America

Greetings, Fr. Patrick!

2011-01-05T22:49:00.002-06:00

One of the recently-received Western rite clergy in the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, is Fr. Patrick Lowery of Michigan.

Ad multos annos, Pater! Welcome.

New Pictures of Amalfion

2010-12-31T00:43:00.003-06:00

Here are some pictures (new to my eyes) of the former Latin rite monastery of Orthodox monks upon the holy mountain Athos (which closed in 1287 due to a dwindling brotherhood). Hat tip: Mystagogy blog.

Holy Venerable Western Fathers, pray to God for us!

Axios! New Priest Ordained for W. Rite

2010-12-15T02:08:00.005-06:00

Ad multos annos! Many Years to the newly-ordained priest Irenaios Watson. Father was ordained at St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Millville, NJ, on Dec. 5, 2010. Father will serve in the Western rite portion of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia.

left: Bishop Jerome. right: Priest Irenaios Watson

Please pray for Fr. Irenaios, that having toiled with fidelity in the vineyard of Christ's Holy Church, he may receive the high reward of his calling at the eternal Throne of God.

Axios!

Pre-Roman Catholic Vestments of the West

2010-12-05T01:04:00.005-06:00

The following illustration of a priest shows the form Western rite vestments had, before they were transformed under the influence of the Roman-catholic church.

Below is a 12th century Western rite alb, from Italy. It is clearly a pre-20th century alb in that the sleeves are narrow. The striking similarity between this garment and the modern day Byzantine sticharion with cuffs is highlighted here not to imply that the Western rite must follow Byzantine precedents, but to show that the gap is not as wide as many imagine it to be. The Western rite, in former days, was comfortable with silk albs of green, red, gold, blue... We can be concerned to keep the gap between ER and WR as wide as possible, as a matter of ritual purism or ethnic pride, but another path is equally available to us--that of emphasising the original harmony between the two rites. Pastoral service should guide these decisions, and rigid lines in the sand should be avoided. For, all too often, we then begin to snipe at those who cross our precious limits.

New Monastery in New Mexico

2010-12-03T23:51:00.016-06:00

Fr. Hieromonk Joshua Anna, newly received into the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, is in the process of founding a new Western rite monastery under the oversight of Metr. Hilarion. A donor has given 48 acres of high desert land, located at the foot of the Mazano Mountains (a spur of the Rocky Mountains), east of Belen. From 30,000 to 50,000 cement blocks have been pledged for construction of the monastery, and an accomplished architect has pledged to donate his services.

Fr. Joshua is a founder of SGOMA, the St. George Orthodox Military Association. (This organisation was pointed out to me last Sunday by the wife of a military officer who is attending our Russian Orthodox parish in Austin.) He has also founded the St. Maria the Martyr Hospitality Outreach, to help the needy and homeless.

above: Hieromonk Joshua

Fr. Joshua has the idea of supporting Orthodox missions by making available to them a travelling adobe-brick-making machine (not true adobe, since it's 8% cement for greater strength). The machine could arrive at a place where a mission needs a chapel, the parishioners can be trained how to make the materials to build a simple chapel. Then the apparatus can move on to help the next needy mission.

Our readers are asked to pray and intercede for Fr. Joshua and the new Monastery of St. George, that they may bring forth fruit in their spiritual labours, extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one, and demonstrate to many souls the true path which leads to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Don't forget, the monastic Fathers can be helped in their struggle by your support of them.

Ad multos annos.

above: Novice Vladimir, subdeacon

REFERENCES
SGOMA http://www.orthodoxmilitary.org/Home_Page.html
St. Maria Hospitality Outreach: http://tinyurl.com/23jfpd6
Facebook: "Hieromonk Joshua" and "Subdeacon Vladimir"

New WR Communities Join ROCOR

2010-11-13T11:22:00.006-06:00

"Dear Brothers in Christ,

"It is with great pleasure that I announce to you that the Archdiocese of New York of The Holy Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church of America, the Former Exarchate of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria has petitioned The Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia to be received into its fold.

"This is the culmination of a long journey, many prayers, and great patience. It will also require the humility of our bishops, priests and deacons to bow their heads for ordination in the Russian Church which we do with great joy for the sake of the unity of the Church. We have accepted the use of the Julian Calendar as we were already on it for the Paschalion and most of us have been greatly disturbed by the commercialization of Christmas. We will also be able to keep our Liturgy which is based on the Dom Augustine Liturgy. We will also be able to continue our practice of gathering each year in the Fall for a Conference/Retreat and now open it up to other Western Rite Clergy. The 2011 Conference will be held at St Mary's Villa, Sloatsburg NY, Tuesday October 25th to Friday October 28th.

"So that we are clear, the parishes being received were non-canonical Orthodox, not Anglican. Most of us come from the Roman Church though some of us have spent time in the Anglican Church, Episcopal, Continuing, or Charismatic Episcopal. We all became Western Rite Orthodox.

"Archbishop Anthony and Bishop Michael will resign the episcopacy and be ordained and elevated to be Archimandrites and His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion has asked former Archbishop Anthony to be Vicar/Dean of his group of Western Rite parishes. The historic significance of this is that the Orthodox Western Rite will have almost ten new parishes and, when all are received about 18 more clergy. We will have an informal group called The Fraternity of St Gregory.

"Those clergy who have already been received into the Russian Church have experienced the warm welcome and generous kindness of Metropolitan Hilarion and Vladyka Jerome who have been paragons of patience in doing all of the required ordinations for us. The Russian clergy surrounding them have been most welcoming to their new Orthodox brothers who will be using the Western Rite.

"Some have commented on the humility that it has taken for me and Bishop Michael to give up the episcopacy. Anyone who knows our history also knows that we did what we had to do to keep our group together and to offer a place for those who wanted to be Orthodox Western Rite as we awaited the time God would appoint for our entrance into the Russian Church.

"Conversations were being held with Moscow through Fr Daniil Sosoyev (RIP) who through his martyric death has accomplish what he could not finish in this life.

"We wish to thank Father James of Christminster who urged us for years constantly to hope and pray, Fr Ambrose (NZ) who continued to fast and pray for us all and who encouraged us, Fr Michael for his encouragement, Fr David (FL) and Fr Ambrose (GOA) for their prayers. We wish also to acknowledge the ongoing novena to St John of Shanghai and San Francisco for the past years and the maternal graces secured for us by the Holy Mother of God.

"Finally, we remember the words of the old Western prayer: "O Lord Jesus Christ, who for the accomplishment of Thy greatest works, has chosen the weak vessel of the world that no flesh may glory in Thy sight...." may we who have been called to the work of bringing the West to Orthodoxy have the strength and grace to perform it by your prayers.

"Archbishop Anthony
"New York"

Very Rev. Fr. Anthony (Bondi)

Regarding this new development, Fr. Hieromonk Ambrose of New Zealand had this to say on Nov. 10, 2010: "Half of the 18 priests and deacons have already been ordained by Metropolitan Hilarion and Bishop Jerome over the last few weeks. It is planned to have the remaining clergy ordained before mid December. This is a glorious thing for the Russian Church, since it gives us 10 viable Western Rite parishes in the States. Here is a photo of one parish church, in Pennsylvania.

http://www.ctkalive.org/images/Sanctuary_Current.jpg

Fr. Ambrose also had this to report on Nov. 11: "A major Western Rite monastery complex is being created in the United States by hieromonk Michael of Saint Petroc monastery Tasmania, Australia. Construction will commence in two to three months. The news has been released by the group Forward in Orthodox Faith.

http://forwardinorthodoxfaith.blogspot.com/

above: Fr. Anthony Bryant of St. Katherine Church, Pelion, South Carolina

To those alarmed that the new communities might practice forms of devotion which originated in the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches, Abp. Anthony wrote the following clarification: "For the record, my church [in Putnam Valley, NY --Ed.] has no organ music, we sing Gregorian Chant, we do not have exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, stations of the cross, sacred heart devotions, pews, or kneelers."

Picture of the clergy, in a meeting prior to their reception into the Russian Church.

We welcome our new brothers and sisters into our midst with love, prayer, and the deepest respect. Please pray for us, and we shall pray for you. May the prayers of the Most Holy and Blameless Mother of God protect you all. - Fr. Hieromonk Aidan+

REFERENCE
http://www.theorthodoxchurch.org/parishes.htm

Census of Orthodox in the U.S.A.

2010-10-06T14:22:00.009-05:00

A fascinating document has been published by Alexei Krindatch of SCOBA. It looks at actual numbers of Christians affiliated with Orthodox Churches in the U.S.

The .pdf report may be perused here.

One would wish that somehow Mr. Krindatch had investigated how many of these Christians are involved with parishes and monasteries that offer Western rite services, as distinct from Eastern rite parishes and monasteries.

It is also apparent that the "grand total" of just over a million Orthodox Christians in the U.S. who are affiliated somehow with an Orthodox church, is an over-estimate in that it includes many Christians whose belief is different than ours (Oriental Christians, whose hierarchy adheres to Monothelite heresy). On the other hand, because the total excludes individual Orthodox Christians isolated from any parish, and many unrecognised jurisdictions (oddly, two and only two were included), it is, to that extent, an under-estimate of the true total of all believers.

This represents a significant advance in accuracy of data, since previous estimates relied directly on totals provided by various jurisdictions. It had come to light previously that these totals were not supported by available data, and now this more-accurate census has been undertaken.

It is good to see that between 2000 and 2010, the Russian Church Abroad experienced an 8% rate of growth as to the number of parishes and monastic communities. Certainly, there has been substantial growth in the Western rite of the Russian Church Abroad, not to mention the foundation of new parishes and missions. The Church Abroad prish in Austin (Holy Protection) appeared in 2001, and has grown since.

Speed Bumps

2010-08-24T13:25:00.002-05:00

At times, we encounter "speed bumps" on the roadway of life.

My move to our new church property just outside Austin has been one of those.

Without any internet, it becomes a bit more challenging to respond to emails, blog comments, or Facebook invites.

Living out of boxes (awaiting a final word on which building I will reside in) prevents one having access to such things as bills, records, one's baptismal certificates, silverware, books, etc.

All will be well. But I ask patience from the readers of this blog. May God be with you all.

Fr. Hieromonk Aidan (Keller)
Oremus blog - Roman Rite in the Orthodox Church

Divine Office: part of a Restored Life

2010-07-06T14:14:00.003-05:00

Someone recently commented, regarding the length of Byzantine versus Western Rite services:

> My thinking is that to glorify God is the purpose of these services, whether they're WR or ER, and both do so very well...

Here was my reply:

I would like to expand on these words, starting from the thought that the daily services are for the glorification of God.

People often wonder if it's really the best use of our time, to be in church each day chanting the Hours. This issue is perhaps the most acute for the Byzantine rite, where Matins does take a while, especially on feast days. But it's also acute for the old forms of Western rite, which are undeniably lengthier than the modern. Matins in the Sarum Use of the Roman rite can be managed in an hour and a half (including the Little Office of St. Mary and often the Little Office for the Dead), but only if you are experienced and move briskly (no "What comes next?" or "Where do I flip to, for THAT?").

It really is the best use of our time. By these frequent daily prayers, we glorify our Creator. We also preserve within ourselves a spirit of repentance and vigilance (nepsis), which refines our life in faith and prepares us for death and eternal life. The grace given us by the Holy Mysteries (for prime example, in Holy Communion in the Liturgy on Sunday) is thereby preserved in us across time, so if we do it right, we manage to live in a state of grace day after day. Thus we become bearers of grace, bearers of God, in the world. We turn into human candles which cannot be hidden under a bushel but will shine into the world. Okay, there are other ways in which that can be done, but back to the topic.

When we pray the Hours, heaven and earth are in communion. We know that at the Liturgy angels of God stand there and pray and sing alongside us. Usually you can't see them, but sometimes you can. Well, the exact same thing is true for the Hours. Angels concelebrate them with us, as St. Etheldreda experienced so keenly.

In the Hours (especially, in Western rite, the Matins) Christian instruction is delivered. Holy Fathers comment on Scripture. The lives of Saints are unfolded and impress themselves in our minds, showing us how to implement the Gospel teachings in various circumstances. The theology of the Church is revealed (one advantage of the old Roman rite over the modern forms: higher theological and educational content).

In the Hours, that divine order in which creation rejoiced before the Fall, is renewed and restored. Things proceed by grace and divine order, rather than the randomness and purposelessness of the post-Christian life of alienation. This helps a person order his thoughts and feelings, thus reducing harmful effects of passions and bringing greater spiritual rootedness to one's life.

By imposing a divine order upon our words, thoughts, and bodily motions, the divine office breaks the wheel-rut of our daily grind. Thus the power of worldliness is broken, for a time, and new avenues are opened for the human spirit. (It is necessary, afterwards, to use this corner of freedom to deepen our personal relationship with God in private, inward prayer; if we don't do that, we're getting a momentary blessing but discarding it.)

The divine office prepares us for other spiritual tasks, such as feeding the poor, instructing the ignorant, visiting the sick and those in prison, studying the Holy Bible, obeying our superiors, etc.

The divine office is like a mighty spiritual tool, for it can make us clay in God's artistic hands. Like any tool, it can be misused, misdirected, and does not guarantee healing or salvation for all. Still, the most hardened church-attending sinner can find that a little "Cupid's arrow" of repentance may be shot into his heart, at some moment, from the quiver we call "the divine office." It can perfect saints, and it can lead a thief to cry, "Remember me, O Lord, when Thou comest in Thy kingdom!"

What, we have time enough for two hours of television and over an hour on the computer, but that's too much time to spend in church on God, soul, life, faith, the kingdom, and all the reasons we were put on this earth? That's not realistic.

In our post-Christian age we need powerful tools to overcome the powerful influence of growing darkness and evil. We need a radically re-ordered way of life, maybe more like the rhythm of mediaeval life. Not working a job all the time like the 19th century factories, and not aimless leisure, but the support of community; church- and family-based education; living close to church, within the sound of the bells; going to daily services (full round not required); soup kitchen or a workshop for employing unemployed people; small-scale agriculture / horticulture; and spending more time in carpentry and carving and sewing and learning music and video producing, for God's glory, or minding an Orthodox bookstore, than in other activities which take up too much time (each person knows which those are).

Down with Babel, raise the walls of Jerusalem!

Fr. Aidan+ sinner
Holy Protection Russian Orthodox Church, Austin, Texas
http://www.orthodoxaustin.org

Dom Augustine Whitfield Reposes

2010-07-05T09:01:00.002-05:00

Announcement by Dom James Deschene of Christ the Saviour Monastery (Christminster) in Canada:

"We at Christminster received news this morning of the repose last night of Dom Augustine Whitfield, Abbot of Mount Royal. It was he who not merely brought the western-rite monastic community of Mount Royal into the Russian Church, but also -- over many years, and in the face of many difficulties, and often alone -- sustained and maintained that mission and vision, handing it on eventually to Christminster and to Holyrood Hermitage in Florida, under its Abbot Dom David Pierce. Abbot David has been a most faithful and dear son to Dom Augustine for many years and cared for him at the end with the Church's holy Mysteries and prayers. He and we at Christminster are the happy inheritors of Dom Augustine's long and lonely struggle.

"Thus it is with mixed feelings of sadness and joy that we greet his repose: sad because we have lost a long-time friend and mentor, and joy that he can now receive the thanks he so much deserved for his often thankless task. May God greet his homecoming son as we pray he might greet each of us: Well done, thou good and faithful servant! Because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things. Enter into the joy of thy Lord."

"According to his wishes he will be buried privately in a local Orthodox cemetery. There will be a solemn memorial Requiem scheduled for him in early August -- possibly at Christminster -- to enable all those who would honour his life and work to gather and pray for his eternal repose and heavenly reward.

"May his sins lie lightly upon him and may he come to see, face to face, that one Face we all long to see and to adore and praise for all eternity. May this unsung hero of western-rite Orthodoxy and monasticism truly enter into the joy of his Lord.

"A Mass of Requiem will be offered for him tomorrow at Christminster. Further details will follow.

"Dom James M. Deschene
"Abbot of Christminster
"Hamilton, Ontario"

To Paradise may the Angels lead thee. At thy coming, may the Martyrs welcome thee, and lead thee into the holy city of Jerusalem. -- from the Sarum burial services

Matins lessons for St. Barnabas

2010-06-23T00:26:00.008-05:00

A future publication is planned of the Matins lessons (readings) for the Sarum Use of the Roman rite. The following is a draft of this legendary* future publication's entry for June 11, St. Barnabas the apostle (his feast is tomorrow, Thursday, June 11, which on the civil calendar is June 24). It is put from Latin into English by Hieromonk Aidan (Keller) of Austin, Texas.

above: 20th c. Greek icon of St. Barnabas

HOLY APOSTLE BARNABAS (JUNE 11)
Lesson 1: Blessed Barnabas, a Cypriot by nationality, received the grace of the Holy Spirit at nearly the same time as the Holy Church, namely, the third year after the Ascension of our Lord, and was chosen together with the apostle Paul (just as Joseph was) for the loftiness of the apostleship and for preaching to the Gentiles. The evangelist Luke brilliantly declareth in the Acts of the Apostles in what manner and how perfectly he toiled in the ministry that had been assigned him by God. But Thou...

Lesson 2: But it was John, whose surname is Mark, disciple of the same Barnabas, who revealed in a faithful account the way in which he came to a crown of glory by the palm of martyrdom. For that same Luke (cleaving always to the blessed apostle Paul in his preaching), was not able to behold the end of St. Barnabas. When, therefore, Barnabas was at Iconium with the blessed apostle Paul, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to him in a vision, saying, “Be valiant, Barnabas, believing right faithfully, for thou shalt receive eternal rewards for the holy piety because of which thou hast left behind thee a generation of children, for My name’s sake. But Thou...

Lesson 3: And when he had passed from Iconium to Antioch, the vision of an angel was made to the blest apostle Paul by night, saying, “Swiftly set out for Jerusalem, and make no delay, for the brethren await thy coming eagerly.” When he shared this with blessed Barnabas, blessed Barnabas said, “Inasmuch as it is not expedient to contradict the will of God, let the Lord’s will be done. Only intercede for me with the Lord, I beseech thee, that my struggle may be acceptable in His sight. For I set out for Cyprus now, and after a short while I shall finish the end of my life. The saddest thing is that I am not to see thy face any longer, not in bodily wise.” But Thou...

Lesson 4: Then Barnabas fell down at Paul’s feet, and for a long time he wept bitterly. Paul, having compassion for his sorrow, said, “Do not grieve, brother, for this is not being done without a divine mystery. For this [past] night the Lord appeared to me, saying, “Do not forbid Barnabas to go to Cyprus, for the grace of God is prepared for him to give enlightenment to many, and to achieve a most-holy martyrdom. But thou, travel to Jerusalem, to visit the holy places.” Then they bade one another farewell, praying on their knees, and giving kisses one to the other. And Barnabas, boarding a ship, alighted at Laodicea, resolving to make his way to Cyprus. But Thou...

Lesson 5: And when Barnabas had arrived on Cyprus, he found there Timon and Aristion, servants of the Lord. But Timon was burning with a fever. When blessed Barnabas had laid his hands and the most-holy Gospel upon him, straightway the fever was put to flight by the invocation of our Lord and Saviour. And thenceforward the sick man was made strong, so that he followed the apostle immediately with joy. Now, by the teaching of the apostles, the blessed Barnabas carried with him the Gospel of holy Matthew, and wheresoever he found men sick, he laid it upon them, and they were healed immediately from what disease soever had held them. Having therefore visited his parents and having strengthened them in the faith, blessed Barnabas departed from Cyprus, to pass from thence to Paphos. But Thou...

Lesson 6: When therefore the blessed Barnabas had passed to Paphos from Cyprus, he met up on the way with an impious and maleficent Jew by the name of Bar-Jeu, whom the blessed Paul had previously deprived of sight, since he resisted faith, not permanently but for a time, saying, “Thou shalt be blind until the time.” In his case, it definitely came to pass that at the prayer of the proconsul Sergius (converted by blessed apostle Paul), he received his sight. But apostasising afterwards just like that man Simon Magus, he became a transgressor. When, then, he had recognised blessed Barnabas, moved by malice he forbade him to enter Paphos. Because of this, the apostle, turning back, entered Salamina. But Thou...

Lesson 7: In Salamina the apostle found a synagogue of Jews, and having entered it he began to exhort them to faith, and to introduce the grace of Christ, using the Gospel of holy Matthew. When the aforementioned Bar-Jeu had learned that many of the Jews accepted the preaching of the holy apostle, showing all the malice of his iniquity, having made a sedition against the holy apostle, he had him arrested. And they sought to deliver him to the consul of that same city of Salamina, afflicting him with many punishments and various torments. Now, being exceeding fearful that he would escape from their hands, they dragged him at night, tying a rope around his neck, from the synagogue to the hippodrome, and then outside the gate. But Thou...

Lesson 8: After these things, surrounding him they cruelly burned him with fire. And so the blessed apostle, after many contests and lengthy battles, passed to everlasting joys, being burnt for the name of Christ. But impious Jews, not satisfied with his murder, stirred up with zeal, carried out his very most holy body. And shutting it up in a lead casket, they decided to cast it into the sea. Meanwhile the aforesaid John, his disciple (as also Mark), together with other of the faithful, bore it away secretly by night, and placed it in the crypt which of old had been the dwelling of the Jebusites, on the third of the ides of June, that is, the eleventh day of that month. But Thou...

Lesson 9: Because of this secret placement, therefore, the venerable body lay hidden for the passage of many years, and could not be found by the Christians. But by the grace of God almighty, Who doth not suffer the glory of His Saints to be hid, in the days of emperor Zeno and holy pope Gelasius, by a revelation of that same holy apostle, it was found. And with hymns and praises it was laid to rest in an impressive manner. Therefore, my dearly beloved brethren, let us who are in admiration of the life and devotion of this holy and glorious apostle and martyr Barnabas, and who follow in his footsteps, rejoice with spiritual joy on this festival of his, so that by his intercession we may be found amongst the righteous at the Lord’s judgment, being freed from defilements of sin, and may we be found worthy to partake of eternal life with him. Our Lord Jesus Christ granting it, Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, God through all the ages of ages. Amen. But Thou...

(c) 2010 St. John Cassian Press

* in the sense of "heard of, but possibly the stuff of mere myth and legend." The pun proved irresistible (the proper Latin name of the book is the "Legenda").

June 16 Sarum Liturgy at Florida Monastery

2010-06-09T19:05:00.004-05:00

Public Announcement:

"On Wednesday, June 16, 2010, at 8:30 a.m., Rev. Hieromonk Aidan (Keller) will celebrate the Divine Liturgy in the Western rite. The Liturgy will be held in the Church of St. Moses, which is located upon the grounds of St. Nicholas Monastery, Ft. Myers, Florida. Fr. Aidan is a hieromonk of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, who has been given a blessing by Metropolitan Hilarion to celebrate services in the Western rite.

"The Liturgy will be in honour of Sts. Kevin and Clotilda, whose feast day is June 16). It will be preceded by sung Terce and Sext, and followed by the hour of None. Those attending should, if intending to receive Holy Communion, prepare themselves by fasting, reading the rule for Communion, and going to confession. Confessions will be heard from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. in the church.

"Those desiring to serve in the altar or to chant, should contact Fr. Aidan on his cell at (512) 317-2197, or email him (hieromonachusaidanus at yahoo dot com), so that this can be arranged.

"Mirabilis Deus in sanctis suis!" ("Wondrous is God in His Saints!")

above: Western rite service at the monastery June 2009

Western Saints Icon Project - expanded

2010-05-28T02:57:00.003-05:00

The Western Saints Icon Project, a massive collection of icons of various Western Saints, has again been expanded with a new icon of Sts. Hallvard and Sunniva, martyrs of Norway, with hat tip to Aaron Taylor of Oklahoma fame.

The Project gallery also contains many pictures of the reliquaries and holy Relics of the Saints.

The Western Saints Icon Project is located here.

Western Rite News from England

2010-05-15T12:58:00.009-05:00

The St. Eanswythe Orthodox Mission has been authorised by our Metropolitan, Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch (bishop) of the Russian Church Abroad, to conduct evangelical activity in Kent, bringing the goodness of the Orthodox Faith to its people. May God crown the labours of the St. Eanswythe faithful with all success in piety.

Fr. Hieromonk Michael (Mansbridge-Wood) has been placed in charge of St. Eanswythe mission by the Metropolitan.

Below is a picture of a pre-Schism church near Folkestone which has been used for Western Rite Orthodox services by the Mission. [It has been Photoshopped to exclude pews and to add icons. - hat tip to Subdeacon Michael Astley]

A meeting of the newly-formed St. Nectan Study Group was held in North Devon at Molton in March; the study group will form part of the overall work of the St. Eanswythe mission.

Ad multos annos!

Christus Surrexit!

2010-04-12T09:48:00.014-05:00

Christ is risen!

From the older forms of Roman rite, approved for usage within the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, a summary of services for the day is given below.

above: Western mosaic, Torcello basilica

PASCHA, the Resurrection of Our Lord, called "Easter Day" by the people

Today's collect: "Deus qui hodierna": O God, Who by Thine only-begotten Son didst open wide for us the door to eternal life this day, when death was destructed: the prayers which Thou dost breathe into us, leading us, do Thou also bring to fruition, helping us. Through the same our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God through all the ages of ages. Amen.

- Disentombment: early in the morning, before Matins, the clergy assemble in church and all the lights are lit. There is a solemn procession to the holy Tomb, which is censed. After a prostration the Cross is taken out of the Tomb, and as another great classicum peal (all bells at once) breaks out, "Xpistus resurgens" is sung, tone 4, while a procession encircles the church with the Cross. There is a collect, then prostration, then (as the bells begin to joyfully peal for Matins) all venerate the Cross just as on Good Fri. All images in the church are unveiled.

- Matins: Matins is very joyful and rather short, with only 3 lessons (homily on the day's Gospel from Mark by St. Gregory the Great). There is censing at each responsory and at the Te Deum and at the Benedictus. There are no commemorations at Lauds of Matins. [It should be noted that monastic forms of this Matins exist, which have 12 readings and the fullness of a usual Matins.]

- During the Third Hour (or, in later Sarum practice, the Third and Sixth Hours), the blessing of waters is done quietly, at a side altar. Then "Vidi aquam" is sung as the holy water is sprinkled on altar, clergy, and the queue of faithful who approach. Then a great Procession forms, which takes the same route as on Palm Sun. (q.v.), to the bell-pealing and the singing of "Salve, festa dies," and "Sedit angelus." Back in church, the verse is sung in a station before the rood, by clergy atop the roodscreen, turned towards the people. At the entry into the chancel "Xpistus resurgens" is sung again, the collect.

- At the beginning of this Mass, in Old English usage shown in the Winchester and Canterbury Tropers, there are verses, called the "Quem quaeritis." A chanter representing the angel at the Tomb sings in a beautiful melody, "Whom do ye seek in the sepulchre, O worshippers of Christ?" Chanters representing the myrrh-bearing women reply, "Jesus of Nazareth, the Crucified, O worshippers from heaven!" Angel: "He is not here, He is risen, as He foretold..." this goes back and forth a few more times, then the officium follows immediately with its trope "Psallite": O chant unto our mighty King, now that the dominion of death is conquered! come and say: I am risen, and I am still with Thee," etc. In this Mass, the singing is very glorious. The Kyrie is sung with verses, the Gloria in Excelsis with beautiful tropes speaking of the Resurrection of Christ. There is but 1 collect, secret, and postcommunion. After the collect, but before the epistle, are sung the Royal Acclamations ("Christus vincit") before the great rood. This part is very beloved by the people, who join in with great joy and triumph. A short epistle is followed by the Graduale, Alleluya (with 2 or 3 verses!), and the glorious Sequence "Fulgens praeclara," which is older then the Sequence "Victimae paschali," and more filled with unbridled joy. The bells peal throughout the Sequence, then the Gospel from Mark is sung. The Offerenda has beautiful tropes beginning, "From the indignation and wrath of the Lord's anger, The earth trembled, yea, and was still. The graves were opened, and many bodies of the saints arose, When the Lord our God arose to judgment. Christ is risen from the dead! O come ye, let us worship, all proclaiming with a single voice: Alleluya, alleluya. These tropes just get more joyful as they go along, from that foreboding beginning. There are beautiful tropes for the Sanctus. The Canon has proper Communicantes and Hanc Igitur. There are beautiful tropes upon the Agnus, and the Communio antiphon. Today all the people commune, the Mass comes quickly to a festive end, all the bells begin again to peal, and after the giving of the blessed bread, the Priest blesses the baskets in a station with the clergy and crucifer. The blessing is of all the foods that were forbidden in Lent: "of meat, cheese, butter, eggs, and meat-pies."

- Ye Greate Picnicke. This is definitely part of today's celebration.

- At Vespers, there is a unique and glorious service: The bells peal, the soft prayers are said, then the rulers of the choir begin "Kyrie eleison." Kyrie VI (q.v. supra) is sung without verses (though, actually, in many places the verses were sung), and (in the older books) a great procession winds around the church, while the Kyrie is sung, pausing briefly at the great rood. Three psalms are sung under the 4-fold alleluya, then the Graduale from the Mass is sung again, then the Alleluya from the Mass is sung again, then the versicle and Magnificat is sung, with censing of altar, clergy, and people. After the collect, a great procession including holy oil and chrism vessels forms as Alleluya, intertwined with Ps. 112, is sung specially. At the fonts (that is, in front of the west doors) there is a station made, a collect, then the procession goes on to the rood, as an Alleluya intertwined with Ps. 113 is sung joyfully. The rood is censed. There is a collect in honour of the Cross, then the beautiful "Alma Redemptoris" is sung with alleluya, as the clergy re-enter the chancel. There is a collect of St. Mary. "Benedicamus" is sung with an alleluya on the end.

- Compline #13 is sung (online Sarum Psalter pp. 191-192), including singing the Graduale from the day's Mass again (but without verse). For Compline, two bells are rung twofold.

above: 12th-c. English icons, St. Michael's Copford

NOTES
Sometimes Western rite people hesitate about the term "Pascha." It may seem, to them, Byzantine. Eastern. Other. Not Western. But this great and holy day was called in the west of England, by the 1030s already, "Paske." In Welsh it is called "Pasg," and in Irish "Caisc," and in Manx "Yn-chaisht," that is, "The Holy." In most Western European languages the word used is some variant upon "Pascha." So, as odd as it may sound to the ears of an Anglican or a Roman-catholic, the term "Pascha" for Easter is, in its broadest outlines, merely the resurrection of an old Anglo-Saxon tradition, as well as an almost-universal usage of Western Europe. The term "Easter" also has an ancient and Orthodox lineage; there is nothing inherently wrong in the term.

The similarity of the Torcello mosaic to East Roman (Byzantine) iconography underscores the fact that one of the West's primary iconographic styles was essentially indistinguishable from the East Roman style. However, other styles are known as well, and variety is more apparent in manuscript illuminations than in surviving wall paintings of the period.

* Fast free: no restriction of food this whole week, and, by ancient Western custom, from today until Whitsunday (with the sole exception of cheesefare foods upon St. Mark's day and the Rogation days before Ascension).

** Old Sarum Rite Missal, (c) 1998, St. Hilarion Press, due to be re-issued in a scholarly format by St. John Cassian Press, in 2 volumes.

Xpucmoc Bockpece!

New Western Rite Abbot

2010-03-21T22:28:00.011-05:00

I discovered on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, that Fr. Hieromonk David (Pierce) has been confirmed in the rank of Abbot by Metropolitan Hilarion, first hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. Dom David is abbot of the abbey of the Dormition of the Mother of God (of Mt. Royal) in Jacksonville, Florida. Members of the community include the well-known Fr. Augustine (Whitfield) and Br. George. Services are held in the Holyrood (Holy Cross) chapel.

above: Abbot David, at the funeral of Abbot Augustine (Whitfield)

above: Abbot David at time of divine service

Many Years! Ad multos annos, Domne!

P.S. For those who may imagine that "Dormition" is a specifically Eastern term, it is the very word used in the Sarum "Martiloge" (martyrology) to describe the feast of the Assumption on August 15. It can be said, therefore, that Dormition is a good and proper Old-English word.

Which Rite is Right?

2010-01-20T11:23:00.009-06:00

Too many people approach Western Rite in the Eastern Orthodox Church as a theoretical exercise. One often hears (pro and con) statements about historical continuity or non-continuity, Frankish-influence issues, minutiae (e.g., what kind of vestments Eastern rite clergy should wear, when attending Western rite services), and so forth.

Oft bypassed by the non-Western-rite observer is that WR Orthodoxy faces more immediate, practical concerns: how to acquire and adorn a chapel; how to get vestments made; how to marshal a choir; and, of course, what to use for liturgical texts.

In the Antiochian Western rite in the U.S., this latter question has been largely decided and is currently settled. It is an essentially dual approach (Tridentine-Roman and traditional Anglican), avoiding pre-Reformation liturgics on the one hand, and the latest modern developments on the other.

In the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, the liturgical question has not been settled definitively. Usages currently blessed include three versions of the Roman rite (Tridentine, Sarum, and Mt.-Royal) and traditional Anglican. None of these has been identified as an exclusively prescribed usage, and there has been no attempt to impose liturgical conformity. That might be a good thing, since it gives the hierarchy time to observe and assess what works and what doesn't.

The Romanian Church has parishes using a theoretical reconstruction of the lost Gallican rite, a usage kept in France in the 1960s under Abp. St. John Maximovitch. This represents yet another strain of liturgical usage. And there is potential for use of the Mozarabic rite of Spain, the Ambrosian rite of Aquileia, as well as liturgies of the Roman-Catholic religious orders.

Speaking of St. John Maximovitch, he blessed for use both Gallican and Roman rites.

It must be admitted that the "Which Rite" question remains unanswered, if one is speaking of the Orthodox Church as a whole.

note: No anonymous commenting allowed.

Western Rite Ship in London Encounters Rocks

2010-01-17T21:50:00.006-06:00

From Fr. Hieromonk Michael (Mansbridge-Wood) of Australia, Jan. 16, 2010:

"Well, our celebrations in the cathedral lasted only a few Sundays. Now Archbishop Mark has demanded that our service should finish before the Eastern Rite service in the upper church starts at 10.00 (in order not to "undermine" their service!!). This would mean my getting up at 03.00, driving out my front gate before 04.00 and starting the service in London 100 miles away at 07.30 in order to finish before they start. Our opponents know very well that this is not going to happen. They know very well that London is a very large city indeed and that our congregation is eclectic and that they simply cannot get to the church in Chiswick by 07.30. So, no more services in the cathedral. However, services continue in Southbourne and next Tuesday, we will celebrate the Epiphany in the beautiful Resurrection Chapel in central Bournemouth..."

My response: I wonder if something can still be worked out. For example, could one omit Matins and Litany, and start the eucharistic service at 8:45, make a very short sermon, and finish just before 10:00? Many parishes start at 9:00 a.m.; 8:45 is not too far off from that. I just wonder if there is some possibility yet for a work-around. Are sounds from the service below leaking into the church above? I hope our London brethren and sistren will not lose heart. In many Russian cathedrals that have an all-Slavonic Liturgy at 10:00, there will be an 8:00 a.m. English-language Liturgy (I find 8:00 rather early!) Is there any London "parishioner" whose house could be used? In Austin we meet in a small mobile-home chapel difficult to find, not well heated and cooled, having no restroom, no narthex, no church sign, and yet we have grown tremendously in just a year and are looking to buy a place. But I do admit that having disadvantageous circumstances makes it more difficult to establish more than a minimal attendance.

Our prayers are with you all in England.

Merry Christmas!

2010-01-09T03:58:00.005-06:00

Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax!

I hope that all of our readers enjoyed a blessed Nativity and I wish all of you a joyful and spiritually prosperous New Year.

- Hieromonk Aidan+, a sinner

Now, Western Rite in England

2009-12-25T09:36:00.008-06:00

Yes, England (which for so many decades seemed to be a land impenetrable to Western Rite Orthodoxy) now has an active W. rite mission, thanks to the labours of Fr. Hieromonk Michael (Mansbridge-Wood) of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, and the protecting omophor of its Metropolitan, Hilarion.

On Dec. 21, 2009, Fr. Michael wrote:

"We have now celebrated the Western Rite on two successive Sundays in the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Dormition at Chiswick in London. The Cathedral has a Lower Church (the original) and an Upper Church - which has just been finished. They have given us the Lower Church to use for Western Rite. So we celebrate our Western Rite in the Lower Church at the same time as they celebrate the Eastern Rite in the Upper Church..."

Here is a picture of the lower church as arranged for a modern Western rite service:

Describing the services being celebrated in London, Fr. Michael continued:

"Given that this is Advent and we are doing Mattins, the Great Litany and the Divine Liturgy as a continuous service, we end up only slightly ahead of them - so we all have lunch together in the church hall afterwards."

Matins, in the pre-Protestant form of W. rite, requires two hours to complete (an hour and a half, if managed extremely expeditiously). The Great Litany is a Protestant service. From these indications, it is surmised that the services being offered in the Russian Orthodox cathedral of London, are of the Protestant Rite.

May God bless the Western rite mission in England, and its faithful people. And, if it is pleasing to God, may the Western rite services which once prevailed in that land, when that land was Orthodox, also find some place there--through the prayers of all Saints of Britain and Ireland.

New Western-Rite Brotherhood in the Russian Orthodox Church

2009-12-02T03:02:00.008-06:00

Better late than never.

We belatedly share the news, made public July 16, 2009, that a new Western rite community has been established within our Russian Church Abroad. Redacted from the Orthodox Christian West blog:

Fr. Deacon Adrian and Novice Edward (Waters) of St. Petroc Monastery are starting the new St. Aidan House in Sydney, Australia. It will be based in the Darlinghurst area. Fr. Deacon Adrian now lives in a cell in the Metropolitan's house in Croydon. Novice Edward lives in a cell in the grounds of the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, Strathfield. Fr. Deacon Adrian is a medical practice director; Novice Edward is a doctoral candidate currently studying statistical mathematics at Melbourne University.

From left to right: Br. Edward, Fr. Michael, Metr. Hilarion, Fr. Dn. Adrian

Please pray for the monastic strugglers of the St. Aidan House and their spiritual success! Ad multos annos! Многая лета!

Decision of the Russian Bishops, on the Western Rite

2009-11-10T10:51:00.014-06:00

Hieromonk Aidan (Keller) spoke by telephone with Bishop Jerome (Geronim) of Manhattan on November 10, 2009 (at about noon). The news from His Grace is as follows:

The Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia has decided that all Western rite missions will fall under the authority of the Metropolitan, rather than the local bishop. This is true across the world, except, of course, in Russia.

This decision, like many others, has not been put down in writing, which is a particular issue of organisation not affecting the fact of the decision.

There is no change in the requirement that Western rite Liturgies include an explicit epiclesis in the anaphora or canon. The added epiclesis strengthens the epiclesis already present in the Roman Canon (St. Nicholas Cabasilas identifies the Supra Quae Propitio as that native epiclesis).

His Grace Bishop Jerome (Geronim) of Manhattan, Nov. 2009

A new version of the Psalter based largely upon the Coverdale psalms has been blessed for use by Bishop Jerome. Of course, other translations are also blessed for use, and no translation in use has been proscribed.

Vivat Metropolitanus Hilario Neo-Eboracensis. Ad multos annos, Domine!

October 2009 - Sarum Services in Florida

2009-10-26T21:24:00.006-05:00

On Tuesday, October 27, 2009, in the evening, Fr. Hieromonk Aidan celebrated the Sarum services of Vespers and Matins in the Church of the Prophet Moses at St. Nicholas Monastery, North Fort Myers, Florida. In attendance were a mixture of Orthodox faithful and Western Christian guests.

On the morning of Wednesday, October 28, the feast of the Holy Relics on the Western calendar, Fr. Aidan celebrated the Sarum services of Terce, Sext, Liturgy, and None, together with the relics-procession appointed for the occurring feast, also in the Church of the holy Prophet Moses. Again, there were Orthodox faithful present, of Eastern and Western backgrounds, as well as Anglican visitors. Those present remarked afterwards how remarkably peaceful and graceful the services were. This was due to the presence of thousands of Saints in their precious Relics, which Mother Andrea had brought into the church and set with high honour, with cloths and flowers, in every available space. This was indeed a profound experience, to pray surrounded (physically) by a cloud of holy witnesses--the prophets, apostles, martyrs, confessors, virgins, and ascetics of the past 2,000 years and more--a mighty host of God's hallows. Through their prayers, O Saviour, have mercy on us sinners, and save us!

Fr. Aidan serves at the Monastery as often as possible, given his duties in Austin, with the blessing of Metropolitan Hilarion, Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia.

Western Rite Days in Florida

2009-07-19T21:36:00.011-05:00

From June 15 to June 19, 2009, Hieromonk Aidan stayed at the St. Nicholas Monastery in Florida, a community of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia.

On the evening of June 16 the Ninth Hour and Vespers were held according to the Sarum use of the Roman rite. Fr. Aidan was joined by Fr. Damian Criscella of the Church Abroad, and our dear brother Demetrio served as acolyte. Fr. Damian and Demetrio are of Italo-Orthodox heritage. The Third Hour and Divine Liturgy the next morning was also according to this same liturgical rite, the form of which which was approved within the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad in September 2008. The evening and morning services were for the feast of St. Petroc, the abbot in Cornwall. Our Russian Church Abroad has a monastery dedicated to this great saint.

At Vespers and the next days' Liturgy, we were blessed to have guests who are interested in Western rite matters, a former High-Church Anglican priest, and Fr. Jim Michko of the Eastern Catholic church, with others.

The services were held in a church fitted for usual celebrations according to the Byzantine rite, but we were able to adapt fairly well. Some Western rite vestments were loaned us for this occasion, and this helped to preserve the native Western character of this holy liturgy of the Church.

Ninth Hour and Vespers on the evening of June 17 was also Sarum rite, with a festive Liturgy or Mass the following morning, June 18. The evening and morning services were in commemoration of St. Boniface, the Apostle of Germany, and were celebrated with the ceremony of a double feast (a high ranking in the Western rite).

Thanks to mother abbess Andrea for giving her blessing for these beautiful Western rite services, which bear testimony to the universality and openness of Holy Orthodoxy.

Here follow some photographs of the events. From Vespers on June 16, a simple feast (St. Petroc):

From Vespers on June 17, a double feast (St. Boniface; note the use here of the cuffs, which were called in the Latin church "maniculae" and at Sarum more usually took the form of a decorative attachment to the cloth of the alb itself):

Censing at the Divine Mass of St. Petroc, in the rite of a simple feast:

At the Vespers of St. Petroc:

The retrocession (return to the sacristy with the holy chalice) at the end of the Divine Mass of St. Boniface, June 18, 2009:

I can't place this next picture in context. It may be at the festal Vespers of St. Boniface, when for lack of a proper cope (a vestment similar to the phelonion and to the chasuble), a chasuble (nearest equivalent) was substituted. The use of Mass vestments at Vespers is known in Western rite, but mostly at pontifical (hierarchical) services.

Censing at the Mass of St. Petroc, June 17, 2009 (note, on the right, the beautifully-typeset edition of the Divine Office in the Sarum use which is scheduled for publication by St. John Cassian Press in Austin, Texas):

From the Mass of St. Petroc, the bow at "Orate fratres et sorores," that is, "Pray for me, brothers and sisters," which occurs just before the first epiclesis ("Come, O Holy Spirit, bless and sanctify this Sacrifice") prior to the Canon of the Mass:

Holy Petroc and Boniface, pray to God for us!

New Bishop to Work with Western Rite

2009-03-17T14:04:00.006-05:00

In December 2008, Archpriest John Shaw of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad was elevated to the grace of the Episcopate. Receiving the new title Bishop Jerome of Manhattan, His Grace will assist the Western Rite communities of the Russian Orthodox Church (amid countless other duties).

Here is a picture of Vladika Jerome taken just after his consecration:

Here is a picture of Vladika taken just before his consecration:

When yet a junior priest of the Russian Church in the 1970s, then-Fr. John Shaw became father of the Sarum rite movement which flourished more particularly in Old Calendarist and Russian Church-Abroad circles and became the most widely-published of any Western rite liturgy in modern times. Fr. John celebrated many Liturgies in the Sarum use of the Roman rite, and guided the development of the rite as it came to be published by the St. Hilarion and St. Gregory Presses. This was not an official collaboration, but was seminal in helping determine, for example, just what parts of Western observance from mediaeval England were inappropriate for Orthodox worship today. Bishop Jerome works pastorally with those who use a variety of forms of Western rite, in a judicious and Christian spirit.

Ad multos annos, Domine!

Christminster Becomes Stavropigial Institution

2009-03-06T09:06:00.004-06:00

"On Sunday, 1 March/16 February 2009, notice was received from Metropolitan Hilarion of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, that the monastery and mission of Christminster and Our Lady of Glastonbury Orthodox Church, in Hamilton, Ontario, would henceforth be directly under the archpastoral oversight of the Metropolitan himself, assisted by his Vicar Bishop Jerome, Bishop of Manhattan. Bishop Gabriel, the ruling Bishop of Canada, had requested this change in light of his own lack of familiarity with the Orthodox western rite and its usages.

"Bishop Jerome, the former Father John Shaw, is a long-time friend of Christminster and a scholar deeply learned in western liturgics.

"We are grateful to each of these hierarchs for their pastoral concern for the well-being of our mission and work.

Source: http://www.westernorthodox.ca/

Note from Fr. Aidan: Many Years to Abbot James and to all the faithful of Our Lady of Glastonbury!

New Patriarch for the Russian Orthodox Church

2009-03-06T08:44:00.005-06:00

We have, of course, received the tidings that Metropolitan Kirill has been elected and enthroned as the new Patriarch of Moscow and is now the head of the largest Orthodox Church.

His Holiness Kirill, wearing the kukulion and green mandiya

In the Western rite as it was preserved in England up to the Reformation, we find the following collect for the enthronement of the Primate.

"Almighty, everlasting God, Who although Thou art Most High didst as one humble deign to come down to us: We humbly pray that this Thy servant may be promoted by the dignity of his humility upon the summit of the priesthood conferred by Thee upon him. And just as in the ministry of his governing he approacheth to ascend this pontifical throne, so also mayest Thou approach the throne of his bosom by the visitation of Thine indwelling, so that he--by the bestowal of Thy grace--may become the royal chair of Thine enthronement. Through Thee, Jesus Christ, Who with the Father co-eternal to Thee and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, God through all the ages of ages. Amen." (Latin translation, Fr. Aidan)

Ad multos annos, Domine! Многая лета!

Memory Eternal! Patriarch Alexey Reposes

2008-12-06T10:56:00.010-06:00

We have received news that Patriarch Alexey of Moscow and All Russia has fallen asleep. Memory Eternal!

Pannikhida at Protection of the Holy Theotokos Russian Orthodox Church, 5401-B Clay Avenue, Austin, Texas, 78756, at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008.

"To Paradise may the angels lead thee; when thou comest, may the martyrs welcome thee, and conduct thee into the holy city, Jerusalem." - antiphon from the Roman rite funeral service (Sarum use)

His Holiness Alexey, when yet serving as a priest.

His Holiness Alexey, giving his patriarchal blessing.

Memoriam Aeternam, Domne! Вечная память!

Nov. 9 (new style Nov. 22): St. Theodore the Recruit

2008-11-22T09:23:00.010-06:00

Today on the calendar of the Sarum use of the Roman rite we celebrate the feast of the holy martyr Theodore the Recruit. Presented below are the readings at Matins for the feast, translated into English by Hieromonk Aidan (Keller) in anticipation of their publication by St. John Cassian Press, together with all the Matins readings throughout the year for the Roman rite in the Russian Orthodox Church.

Lesson 1. In the times of the emperor Maximian, Theodore was arrested in the city of Abasia, and with him many other recruits into the army, and they were all pressured to sacrifice to the idols. But the blessed man Theodore, because he was faithful and full of the Holy Spirit, standing in the midst of the legion, said that, “I am a Christian, and I have not received a command to do sacrifice to evil graven images. For I have, for my king, Christ in heaven.” And having been led to the ruler Populius, the ruler said to him: “Theodore, sacrifice to the gods, and save thyself from these tortures which have been prepared for thee.” Theodore the blessed one said: “I do not consent to thee, and I am not afraid of thy punishments. For the expectation of good things induceth me to have confidence because of the hope which is laid up for me, and the crown which my Lord Jesus Christ hath prepared for me.” Full of indignation, therefore, the judge commanded him to be cast in prison, and be left there to die of starvation. But the blessed man Theodore was fed by the Holy Spirit. But Thou...

Lesson 2. When the ruler was sitting at tribunal again, and the blessed man Theodore had been brought in, he said to him: “Yield to me, Theodore, without torments, and do sacrifice to the gods, that I may write to the rulers of the whole round world that Theodore became a high priest. And receive from them no mean promotion, and thou wilt be a spokesman for us.” Blessed Theodore, looking up to heaven and signing himself, said to the ruler: “Even if thou wilt burn my flesh with fire, and use diverse tortures, as long as there is breath in my nostrils, I will not deny my God!” Hearing this, the ruler told the interrogators to hang him from a beam of wood and tear his sides with iron hooks. They tore him so much that even his ribs were stripped bare. But the blessed man Theodore chanted, saying: “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Then the judge, after much ill-treatment, said to the holy martyr: “What dost thou desire, to be with us or with thy Christ?” With great joy the holy martyr answered him: “With my Christ I have been, and am, and will be.” But Thou...

Lesson 3. The ruler, seeing that the forbearance of the holy martyr could not be overcome by torments, rendered judgment against him, saying: “Theodore, a man who doth not obey the commands of the all-invincible princes, but believeth in Jesus Christ Who was crucified, I order to be delivered into fire.” And as soon as he had pronounced the sentence, it was carried out by word and command. And when the fire had been kindled, the blessed martyr prayed, sealing himself with the sign of the Cross. And with his hands bound behind his back, gazing up to heaven, he was accepted as a whole-burnt offering to God, like a ram chosen out of a great flock. And when he finished his prayer, the Devil’s henchmen lit the fire. But we to whom it was granted to witness it saw a great miracle in the glowing flame. For the flame became like the appearance of an arched vault, like a ship’s sail filled with the wind, and it surrounded the blessed martyr’s body like a wall, and his was not like a burning body, but like bread baked. For as the Holy Spirit came upon him the blessed martyr was in the midst of the flame without difficulty. And as he was praising and glorifying God, he gave up to Christ his spirit. And all were filled with a most sweet fragrance. And there came to him a voice from the skies, saying: “Come, Theodore, my dearly beloved, enter into the joy of thy Lord, for with fidelity hast thou finished thy battle-course.” And a certain woman named Eusebia diligently buried his body, and in that same place many miracles happen to the praise and glory of God’s name. But Thou...

(c) 2008 St. John Cassian Press

Today we also remember the repose of Schema-archbishop Theodore of Pskov Caves and West Milford.

King Alfred of England--an Orthodox Saint?

2008-11-20T20:42:00.021-06:00

Below are a few thoughts and observations regarding the topic of whether King Alfred of England might one day become a Saint of the Orthodox Church.

There are Orthodox Christians in our days who advocate declaring King Alfred of England (849-899) a Saint of the Church.

Orthodox Christians are certainly free to advocate or campaign for the future glorification (canonisation) of a beloved Orthodox Christian who has reposed. Yet there are some difficulties with the idea of glorifying King Alfred. For example, he never had a cultus. That means that the Orthodox Anglo-Saxons who were his contemporaries did not see him as a man distinguished for holiness of life (or, at least, there is no evidence they did). And who is in a better position to judge the matter, his contemporaries or we who are alive a thousand years afterwards, and have no personal knowledge of this great King?

The first authority to declare King Alfred a Saint was a cluster of 19th century Anglo-Catholics in England. These men represented the high-church wing of Anglicanism. Could some Orthodox be assuming King Alfred is a Saint because they own Anglican-produced Lives of Saints which list Alfred? Could they be reading these sources uncritically, assuming that Alfred's inclusion means he had a cultus long ago? That is possible, but inconclusive. Mere chronological sequence proves nothing about cause and effect. An Orthodox individual who hopes today that King Alfred will be named a Saint, is not (necessarily) following the Anglican precedent.

[above: statue commemorating King Alfred of England]

I have some concerns peripheral to the question of King Alfred, which I'll state broadly. I have read a number of articles and internet posts which make conclusions about the ecclesiastical situation prevailing a millennium ago in England. Some of these conclusions tend towards the notion that England was Orthodox until 1066, falling into Roman Catholicism and schism only afterwards, as a result of the Norman invasion. To me it seems that this notion springs from a romanticised love of all things Anglo-Saxon, rather than any dogmatic, canonical, or other objective criteria. Between the Normans invading in 1066, and the Anglo-Saxons defending, there was no difference in religious beliefs, in Filioque usage, in church ritual, or in reverence towards the Roman Papacy. (Perhaps a case can be made that the Anglo-Saxons had more reverence for the Papacy, while the Normans had more political-military ties with it, rather cynical ties which had just recently been forged.)

Most of this notion that the Norman invasion resulted in "Roman Catholicism being imposed on England" seems to originate in the writings of Dr. Vladimir Moss. I respectfully disagree with Dr. Moss about this, even as I am grateful for his work in presenting to Orthodox readers the lives of Anglo-Saxon Saints in English.

But back to the 9th-century King Alfred. We're left with three difficulties: (a) King Alfred at no time had an Orthodox cultus; (b) there are no surviving relics of him; and (c) so far there has been no sign from God that God wills him to be glorified by the Church on earth. Of course, anything can happen.

Here is what can safely be said: To this day, King Alfred remains an unfadingly bright exemplar of pious Orthodox monarchy. And to this day English-speaking Orthodox Christians owe the rich flowering of tenth-century English Orthodox culture, great monuments of liturgy and sainthood and literature, to the vision, tenacity, and piety of Alfred.

May he rest in peace blissful and eternal!

FURTHER READING:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_the_Great
http://tinyurl.com/5kt36e
http://www.orthodoxengland.org.uk/athlifea.htm
http://www.orthodoxengland.org.uk/athip.htm
http://www.orthodoxengland.org.uk/athcakes.htm

Nov. 1 (Nov. 14 new style): All Saints Day

2008-11-14T08:01:00.007-06:00

By an ancient Celtic custom, today is in the Western rite the feast of All Saints.

To all Western rite Orthodox who keep All Saints today, joyful greetings with the feast. Below are some of the old Roman-rite chants for this festival from the English tradition, taken from "Old Sarum Rite Missal," (c) 1998, St. Hilarion Press, Austin, Texas. What will be seen in the introit chant is the presence of the tropes, a venerable Orthodox tradition of the West which prevailed in one form or another from the dawn of the 9th century to the Reformation, and even afterwards. The tropes are poetic verses interwoven into the chanted psalm texts to instruct the people on the nature of the feast and to glorify God and His Saints in a more expressive way.

Officium Gaudeamus, trope ‘Hodie mundo,’ tone 1
(The officium is the same as the "introit" of the Western Mass-Liturgy. The parts which are tropes, poetic additions to the Roman rite from the 8th century onward, are shown in light blue colour.)

Today across the earth there hath dawned the festive day of all the Saints;
O come ye, come and sing:
Let us all be joyful in the Lord, celebrating a feast day to the honour of All Saints.
Today the multitude of martyrs doth rejoice exceedingly in heaven, and as for us upon the earth, come ye, come and sing:
For their solemnity the Angels are joyful,
For thereupon, this day, we render honour with praises very meet of all the Saints,
And together praise the Son of God.

V. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous : praise is meet for the upright. (Ps. 32:1)

O as what a glorified star do the Saints radiantly shine! For having spilled their blood, they are found worthy of requital in Thy kingdom.
Let us all be joyful in the Lord, celebrating a feast day to the honour of All Saints,
The heavenly joys give high praise to all of them at once upon this day,
For their solemnity the Angels are joyful,
Chanting unto Christ their odes with sweetly sounding voices,
And together praise the Son of God.

+ Glory be... As it was...

Come ye, forthwith singing sweet sounds with the subtlety of music:
Let us all be joyful in the Lord, celebrating a feast day to the honour of All Saints;
Let the flower of our virtues be in equal harmony with our mouths.
For their solemnity the Angels are joyful—
Eternal companions of the radiance of the Blossoming on high—
And together praise the Son of God.

V. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised : in the city of our God, in His holy mountain, in the well-rooted joy of all the earth. (Ps. 47:1)

We whom the bosom of our mother the Church hath nourished with gracious sweetness, come and sing:
Let us all be joyful in the Lord, celebrating a feast day to the honour of All Saints—
For to them is the highest honour, and the godly vision of the King Who is most high—
For their solemnity the Angels are joyful,
For they see the number of those on high completed as is just,
And together praise the Son of God.

Kyrie-Litany.
Angelic Hymn (Glory be to God in the highest).
Collects.
Epistle.
Graduale.
Alleluya.

Sequence Xpisto inclita

Let our illustrious, white-robed hosts
Sing a melody to Christ,
Giving praise to all His Saints,
By means of these festivities most holy.

First let our voice ring out for Mary,
By whom the gifts of life are given unto us.
Thou who art both Queen and Mother, and art pure,
Absolve our sinful ways by thy prayers unto Thy Son.

May the sacred synaxis of the Angels
And the glorious host of the Archangels
Now wash away our sinnings,
Asking heaven’s lofty joys for us.

Do thou, O prophet, herald, shining lamp,
And thou more than a prophet,
Making our bodies purified,
Do thou place us on the light-bestrewing path.

O chieftain of the Apostles,
And all the multitude thereof,
Strengthen now the peoples’ hearts
In your true teachings, we beseech you.

Stephen, glorious man, shining in thy crown,
And illustrious host of holy martyrs,
Give ye us hale hearts and bodies, make strong your holy spears,
That they may get clear victory over the enemy.

O Martin, thou illustrious one,
And every host of hierarchs,
Mercifully now do ye receive
The prayers which we are making.

O very most exalted Queen of virgins,
Thou art a mother undefiled, and a virgin heavy with Child,
And O thou purity consecrated to the Lord,
Preserve in purity our souls and bodies.

May the reverend supplications of monastics,
And all the mansions of the Saints,
By their prayers poured out fervently,
Guide our times and seasons.

And may they bring us to the true joys,
The high-heavenly joys which are in the heavens,
May they unite the hosts of those redeemed
With Him Who is merciful. Amen.

(c) 1998 St. Hilarion Press

Sts. Simon & Jude: Oct. 28 (Nov. 10 new style)

2008-11-11T16:44:00.010-06:00

On Oct. 28 (Nov. 10, on the civil calendar) we celebrate the feast of the Holy Apostles Simon & Jude. This is the day their holy relics were enshrined together in a fitting church in the city of Old Rome.

On Old English calendars, this is one of those feasts marked as "Rest from labour."

Here are the first six readings at Matins for the feast, from the Sarum Book of Readings, translated here for the first time into English by hieromonk Aidan, Russian Orthodox Church.

Lesson 1: When, by revelation of the Holy Spirit, Simon of Canaan and Jude the Zealot, apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, had entered Persia, they found two warlocks there, Zaroës and Arphaxad, who had fled out of Ethiopia from before the face of the holy apostle Matthew, and had defiled all Persia with their wicked teaching. In any case, when the holy apostles entered Persia, there came to meet them a prefect of the army, Waradath, a leader of the king of the Babylonians, whose name was Xerxes. This man had undertaken a war against the Indians, who had invaded Persia’s borders. In his enclave there were those that made sacrifice, and entrails-readers, and warlocks, and enchanters, and going a-sacrificing from dwelling to dwelling, they provided deceptive oracles by means of the demons. But on that day, as they were cutting themselves and letting their blood, they were entirely unable to provide any oracle. But Thou...

Lesson 2: So they arrived at the outskirts of the next city over, and there a demon issued a roar to those consulting him, and he said, ‘The gods who accompanied you as ye went to battle cannot provide you any oracle because the apostles of God are over there. One is called Simon, and the other Jude. And these have received such power from God, that no god dare speak when they are present.’ Then Waradath the captain had them sought after. When they had been found, he began to ask of them where they were from, and who they were, and why they were come. The holy apostle Simon told him, ‘If thou wouldst know our tribe, we are Hebrews. If thou wouldst know our status, we are slaves of Jesus the Christ. If thou wouldst know the cause of our coming hither, we are come because of your salvation, so that ye may be able to know the God Who is in heaven, once ye have forsaken the error of your graven idols. In reply Waradath said to him, ‘Now I go shortly to battle with the Indians, for that they have threatened the borders of Persia, invading them, and have secured the aid of the Medes for themselves, against us. And it is not a good time for me to discuss these matters. When I shall have won and have returned in a good humour, I will grant you an audience.’ The holy apostle Jude said to him, ‘More appropriate it is for thee to know Him right now, by Whose reinforcement and relief thou wilt have power to be victor—or, rather, to find those who are rebellious entirely pacified. Waradath said to him, ‘Since I hear that our gods do not dare to give us an oracle in your presence, do ye yourselves predict the future to us, that I may know which of us will prevail in the battle.’ But Thou O Lord...

Lesson 3: The holy apostle Simon told him, ‘Today suspend your forward march, and on the morrow, at this hour, that is, the third hour, those whom thou didst send ahead of you will come to thee with legates of the Indians. And they will announce to you that the lands they invaded are restored to your dominion, and they will bring a payment over and above the tribute they had paid, and readily accepting whatsoever conditions of peace thou shalt desire, they shall enact as steadfast a very firm treaty.’ Next the captain, on advice, bade them be kept under custody until the morrow, to discover the outcome of the matter, whether their assertion would be proven true. And on the morrow it came to pass according to the apostles’ words. They that had been sent forth came in swift course upon camels, and announced that all was as the apostles had foretold. But the two apostles, invited by the king and captain, tarried in Babylon, performing mighty miracles: giving sight to the blind, restoring hearing to the deaf, ambulation to the halt, cleansing lepers, and chasing demons out of the bodies of the possessed. And when for one year and three months they had dwelt there, more than four hundred thousand men were baptized, not counting children and womenfolk, the king being the first baptized, with all his nobles. For all saw that diseases were healed at a word, the blind were given sight, and even the dead were raised in the name of Jesus Christ, and all the people believed, destroying the temples of the idols, and they built churches. Now, the apostles ordained in that city a bishop named Abdias, who had come with them from Judaea, who himself had seen the Lord, and that city was filled with churches. These affairs having been settled in good order, they went upon their way. And throngs of their disciples followed them, two hundred men and more. But Thou…

Lesson 4: Now, the apostles went round about the twelve provinces of Persia, and their cities. But the aforementioned warlocks Zaroës and Arphaxad, committing crimes from city to city, and saying that they were of the race of the gods, and always fleeing from before the face of the apostles, stayed a long while in this or that city, until they would learn that the apostles were coming thither. But wheresoever the apostles entered, they unmasked their crimes, and showed their teaching to have been invented by the enemy of the human race. And in the city of Samur were forty high priests of the temples, whom the warlocks incited against God’s apostles, in a speech such as this: ‘Two Hebrew men will come hither,’ said they, ‘Enemies of all the gods. When they shall teach that another God should be adored, ye will be deprived of your powers and be thrown out like so much rubbish. Therefore, speak ye to the people, so that the moment they shall enter this city, they may be detained to make sacrifice. But Thou...

Lesson 5: And it chanced that after the apostles had made their way through all the provinces of Persia, they came to the great city Samur. When they had entered into it, and had tarried at the house of their disciple, a man of that city, by the name of Sennen, lo! about the first hour of the day, all the high priests together cried to Sennen, with a numberless mob, ‘Bring forth to us the enemies of our gods! If thou wilt not sacrifice to our gods with them, we shall burn thee and thy house with them.’ Meanwhile the apostles were seized and were led to the temple of the sun. As they entered the temple, the demons began to cry out through the energumens, ‘What is this happening to us and you, apostles of the living God? At your entrance we are burnt in flames.’ Now in one corner of the temple, on the east, stood a chariot of the sun, of molten gold; and in another corner a chariot of the moon, of molten silver. So the high priests began to threaten violence against the apostles of God before the people, that they ought to adore these. And so did those two warlocks who had stirred up this same violence. And Jude said to Simon, ‘Brother Simon, I see our Lord Jesus Christ calling us.’ And Simon answered, ‘For a while now, I have been seeing an appearance of the Lord in the midst of angels. For the angel of the Lord also said to me when I was praying: I shall make you to depart from the temple, and make that temple collapse upon them. And I said: Lord, may this never be; perhaps there will be some among them who will be converted to the Lord.’ When therefore they were saying these things amongst them in the Hebrew tongue, an angel of the Lord appeared to them, saying, ‘Be ye strengthened, and choose ye one of two things, either the sudden destruction of these men, or else prepare yourselves for the palm of martyrdom with the confidence of a good struggle.’ But Thou...

Lesson 6: In reply the apostles said, ‘We ought to pray for the mercy of our Master Jesus Christ, that He may have compassion also on these men, and may help us, that we be able to attain the crown.’ Only the apostles saw and heard these things. They were impelled by the high priests to adore the graven images of the sun and moon. The apostles told them, ‘Cause there to be silence, that we may give our answer with all the people listening.’ And when silence fell, the apostles said, ‘Hear ye all, and behold. We know the sun is the servant of God, and the moon likewise is subject to the command of its Creator. And yet they, existing in the firmament of heaven, are not shut up in their temples without affront, since in the heavens they are known to openly appear unto all the world. And that ye may realise that their idols are full not of the sun but of demons, we command the demons who deceive you inside the idol of the sun and of the moon, to go forth from them and shatter them.’ And as all were struck with bewilderment, Simon spake to the idol of the sun, ‘I command thee, deceiver of men, most wicked demon, go forth from the graven idol of the sun, and shatter it and its chariot.’ When Jude had said the like to the graven idol of the moon, two emerging Ethiopians were seen by all the people, black, naked, and repulsive of countenance. And smashing the idols, they let loose a great wailing in their awful voices. Then all the high priests, rushing on the apostles of Christ, slew them. And in that same hour of their passion great lightnings flashed, such that the temple was rent in three from the highest pinnacle of the roof to its lowest foundation. And the warlocks Zaroës and Arphaxad were burnt up by a bolt of flashing light, and were turned into charcoal. But after three months king Xerxes sent and translated the bodies of the holy apostles with great honours to his own city. In it he built them a wondrous basilica, and established in its midst a sarcophagus for them, of pure silver. In that spot, they that believe in our Lord Jesus Christ receive the benefactions of God, as many as are found worthy to set foot in that place. But Thou...

(c) 2008 St. John Cassian Press

Holy Apostles Simon and Jude, pray to God for us!
Sancti Apostoli Simone et Juda, ora pro nobis Deum!

Sarum Calendar: Oct. 25/Nov. 7, Sts. Crispin & Crispinian

2008-11-07T11:01:00.010-06:00

Today we keep the memory of the holy brothers and martyrs Crispin and Crispinian, who suffered at Soissons in Gaul. All efforts to discover some sacred icon of these martyrs have failed over the years, but here is an engraving:

The Sarum Book of Readings for Matins includes three lessons today for the brother-martyrs. These are translated into English for the first time now by Hieromonk Aidan of the Russian Orthodox Church, (c) 2008 St. John Cassian Press.

Lesson 1: Crispin and Crispinian chose the city of Soissons to host their earthly pilgrimage. In this city, because the error of the Gentiles had so much prevailed, lack of decency kept them from obtaining lodgings, for the reason that they were Christians. Having ascertained the Gentiles' cruelty, they learnt the craft of shoemaking, being followers of that instruction of the Teacher of the Gentiles, that folk should provide themselves this life’s necessities by the labour of their hands. And they practised this craft as unobtrusively as they could. But Thou…

Lesson 2: But, hearing of these things, the ungodly Maximian in short order directed Rictiovarus, the assistant to his ungodliness, to search for them. And, being sought by him, they were found in the aforesaid city, cobbling shoes for the poor. When he was unable to call them away from the faith of Christ, he commanded the famed martyrs, once stretched out with pulleys, to be beaten with clubs. Again Rictiovarus, insane with fury, commanded millstones to be hanged about the neck of each, and that they be submerged in wintertime, in the river which is called the Aisne, beneath the ice. And last of all he commanded pitch, lard, and oil to be boiled together, and gave fresh orders that the holy martyrs be thrown into it, to be devoured in the torment. But Thou…

Lesson 3: That same night, it was shown them in a revelation that when day had dawned they would receive the reward of their labours and confession, and be greeted by the Lord as shining victors. The vision was fulfilled without delay, by the manifest accomplishment of the act. For Maximian, soon as he heard of the failure of his henchman Rictiovarus, commanded both Crispin and Crispinian to be punished with the sword. Now, their bodies were left by the tormentors to be devoured by wild animals, dogs, and the worst kind of birds. But they remained inviolate from the bite of these beasts, Christ preserving them. But Thou…

Holy Martyrs Crispin and Crispinian, pray to God for us!
Sancti Martyres Crispine et Crispiniane, ora pro nobis Deum!

Supporting Christminster

2008-11-05T09:29:00.005-06:00

There is a functioning Western rite monastic skiti in the Russian Orthodox Church, Christ the Saviour (or "Christminster"), located in Hamilton, Ontario. The website is here:

http://www.christminster.org

More information on this community, its oratory of Our Lady of Glastonbury, and photos, can be viewed here:

http://www.westernorthodox.ca/

The faithful are encouraged to travel to Christminster and experience Western rite firsthand there, by praying alongside the monastic fathers for renewal of the mind and spirit. I too hope to make a pilgrimage to Christminster in the near future.

Sarum Calendar: Oct. 17/30, St. Audrey

2008-10-31T12:52:00.007-05:00

Today on the Sarum calendar is the feast of the elevation and translation of the relics of our holy mother Etheldreda (Audrey), royal abbess of Ely in England. Below is an image of the reliquary at St. Etheldreda church, near London, in which rests the incorrupt hand of the holy virgin and abbess.

It is recorded that at the elevation of her precious relics, a miraculous heavenly fragrance emanated from them. The body of the Saint appeared whole and untouched. In fact, she appeared to be merely asleep, though her body had lain in the soil for many years. The incision in her neck, made by a physician just before her death, had entirely healed up; the same physician was in attendance and confirmed the miracle. Strong and bright are her prayers unto God for Orthodox monastics and all the faithful.

Holy Mother Etheldreda, pray to God for us!
Sancta Mater Etheldreda, ora pro nobis Deum!

Sarum Calendar: Oct. 9/22, St. Dennis of Paris

2008-10-22T10:16:00.004-05:00

Today, on the calendar of the Sarum use of the Roman rite, we celebrate Sts. Dennis, Bishop; Rusticus, Priest; and Eleutherius, Deacon. These bright luminaries of the Church were martyred at Paris in the 1st or 2nd century. St. Dionysius or Dennis of Paris has often been confused with St. Dionysius of Athens ("the Areopagite"), but the Sarum martyrology assigns them distinct days as distinct persons (the Areopagite to Oct. 3, the Parisian martyr Oct. 9).

In the icon below, St. Dennis appears on the right:

Holy Martyrs Dionysius, Rusticus, and Eleutherius, pray to God for us!
Sancti Martyres Dionysi, Rustice, et Eleutheri, ora pro nobis Deum!

Sarum Calendar: Oct. 8/21, St. Demetrius

2008-10-22T09:49:00.005-05:00

In a single Sarum manuscript, October 8 (on the civil calendar Oct. 21) is given as the feast day of St. Demetrius of Thessalonica, the great-martyr.

Here is shown the reliquary of St. Demetrius the Myrrh-gusher, at Thessalonica in Greece.

Holy Martyr Demetrius, pray to God for us!
Sancte Martyr Demetri, ora pro nobis Deum!

The Divine Office, Made Simple

2008-10-17T18:55:00.020-05:00

Lately some confusion has risen over the nature of the Divine Office in the Western rite (a) as it is celebrated today by Orthodox Christians; (b) as it was celebrated for centuries, until the Schism of 1054; and (c) as it was celebrated in early times (5th to 7th centuries, give or take). This blog post is a sincere effort to put an end to unnecessary confusion.

Let us examine the Office chronologically. The Roman rite knows two predominant patterns of Divine Office, one known as the "cathedral" or "parish" use and one known as the "Benedictine" or "monastic" use. The oldest in origin is the cathedral use. St. Benedict (+547) made an adaptation of its weekly cycle or cursus, for use in monasteries of his rule, and called his cursus "Opus Dei," the Work of God.

Primitive (Early) Office

This stage in the office's development might be called the "primitive" or "early" office. It consisted of invocations, psalms, antiphons, readings and their responsory chants, short scripture readings, preces (short antiphonal selected psalm verses), short prayers (orationes, i.e., collects), patristic commentaries on the readings (more or less ad lib), and eventually came to include hymns (poetry in regular stanzas).

Pre-Reformation Office

The next stage was the product of a substantial reworking, a process fairly complete by the year 850. On the one hand, lengthy and repetitive elements in the early office were abolished: no longer were antiphons sung after every verse of every psalm, and the Matins readings were shortened substantially. But as if to compensate, new material was added to the office: an involved system of commemorations (each consisting of an antiphon, verse, and collect) brought into the office a spectrum of prayers to the Saints. New hymns were composed for diverse occasions. And, most telling of all, "little offices" were appended to the primitive Hours, "little offices" of Our Lady, of the dead, and, in monastic use, of All Saints. Also, in monastic use recurrent devotions became indissolubly woven into the fabric of the daily office: the 15 Gradual Psalms, the 7 Penitential Psalms, a daily Litany of Saints., and so forth. This form of office prevailed in the West from the 8th or 9th century until the Reformation. The prevailing "style" of doing the office was a choral service; generally, the local clergy or monastics came together in church to sing it.

(It should be pointed out in passing that a number of monasteries during this time period used not the Benedictine but the older cathedral office.)

"Modern" or "Counter-Reformation" Office

This form of office abbreviated the preceding one, but left intact the structure and content of the core Hours. The little office of Our Lady became optional, and eventually died out. The little office of the dead was made a monthly, instead of a daily, observance. In monastic use, the little office of All Saints and the daily devotion-psalms and Litany ceased to be required, so that the office could take much less time. Also, the prevailing "style" of doing the office came to be non-sung. More often than not, offices were spoken quietly in private, not in church. This stage is represented, in the cathedral office, by the Tridentine use books, and, in the Benedictine office, by the Breviarium Monasticum (e.g., that published in 1925). After 1911 the Tridentine office was radically restructured and the ancient psalm-cycle replaced.

(It should be noted that from the Reformation onward, the Anglican movement resulted in the creation of a whole new divine office, radically distinct from forms existing before it. This is sometimes called the Cranmerian or BCP (Book of Common Prayer) office. The services are re-cast, drastically abbreviated, and combined into one another, to such a degree that only vestiges remain in the BCP office of the ancient structure and content of the office which prevailed in the West before the Schism and was of Orthodox origination. The BCP office represents perhaps one-fifteenth the content of the historic office. Sometimes new, harmonised music has filled in this form of office a bit. This form of office was first approved for Orthodox usage in 1977 by the Antiochian jurisdiction in the United States.)

"Novus Ordo" Office

After Vatican II, by stages, the Roman church revised its office books, again in the direction of simplification and abbreviation. We may call the results the "Novus Ordo" office. The most far-reaching change was to the lectionary, the cycle of readings through the year, but the changes to the psalm-cycle and other features were substantial, both in the cathedral use and, after 1983, the Benedictine use. The results somewhat resemble the Anglican office in brevity, and in distinctness from office forms which went before. The abolition of Prime (that is, First Hour) is one notable feature of Novus Ordo development.

Western Rite Orthodoxy

Most Western rite Orthodox Christians who do a daily office follow the "modern" (Reformer or Counter-Reformation) form of office, most commonly the BCP office or the Breviarium Monasticum of 1925. But in some quarters the "primitive" Western office has been attempted (e.g., by Abbot Augustine, Russian Orthodox Church Abroad), though never with the original repetitions and long readings, and the "pre-Reformation" office has also been used (e.g., the Sarum office, which contains all patristic and historic elements of the Western office; see it here). To this writer's knowledge, no Western rite Orthodox community uses a Novus Ordo office.

It cannot be stressed enough that the most important thing about doing the Divine Office is simply to set about doing an office, as blessed by a spiritual father. The influence of the world's fallenness is very powerful in our postmodern Western culture. If unchecked by godly traditions such as sanctifying the hours of the day in prayer, and regular confession and communion, and retreat and pilgrimage betimes, this "undertow" of the world grows strong and dangerous. We cannot make immediate changes in the culture surrounding us, but we can make immediate changes in the "input" our souls and minds, and all our senses, experience daily. By doing a Divine Office we feed, nourish, and elevate our souls. In this essential task we ought above all to support and encourage one another. We should not judge our neighbour based on what form of Office he does. It is a remarkable thing in this day and age that anyone is still left to sanctify the hours as a Christian believer ought. And doing a brief but daily office is better than advocating a fuller Orthodox office, then never managing to actually do it. Wherever we see the Hours done by the faithful, we should give glad thanks to God.

"It is later than you think. Hasten, therefore, to do the work of God." -- Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose), +1982

Amen, and amen.

Latin Priest in Moscow Resigns

2008-10-16T10:37:00.002-05:00

Fr. Andreas Jezierski was active for years in the city of Moscow, celebrating the Tridentine use of the Roman rite in Latin in his chapel there. Fr. Andreas was a married priest aligned, as a temporary measure, with an unrecognised jurisdiction, until such time as he might make his home within the Patriarchate of the Russian Church. Fr. Andreas also had corresponded with Abp. Hilarion of Sydney, of the Russian Church Abroad, regarding the possibility of Western rite parish work in Australia.

Hieromonk Benedikt (Schneider) of the Russian Patriarchate confirmed, on Oct. 15, 2008, that Fr. Andreas has resigned and is no longer active in the ministry. His Latin-language website at http://www.latina.ru, which had explained his efforts, has been dismantled. Fr. Andreas, when yet active, did raise the interesting question of whether the use of Latin in Western rite services may have a place in the pastoral outreach of the Orthodox Church to Western people.

Good News for the Sarum Use of the Roman Rite

2008-10-15T12:56:00.000-05:00

NEWS RELEASE--
On Sept. 18, 2008, Fr. Hieromonk Aidan (Keller), formerly of the old-calendarist Synod of Milan, was received into the bosom of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia by Metropolitan Hilarion of New York. His ordination was regularised, and he was assigned to the Diocese of Eastern America and New York. Fr. Aidan has been blessed by Metr. Hilarion (Sept. 26, 2008) to celebrate services according to the Sarum use of the Roman rite, using the full line of liturgical books published by St. Hilarion Press and which are due for re-issue under the aegis of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Shortly afterward, on Sept. 29, 2008, Fr. Hieromonk Cuthbert (Pierce), formerly of the old-calendarist Synod of Milan, was received into the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, also by Metropolitan Hilarion. His ordination was regularised and he was assigned to serve the same diocese at the Holy Cross Hermitage in Jacksonville, Florida. Fr. Cuthbert, who will now be known as Hieromonk David, was blessed by the Metr. to celebrate services according to the Sarum use of the Roman rite, using the line of liturgical books and materials printed at St. Gregory's Press in New Jersey.