I was blessed to have been able to attend a Liturgy of St. James myself just a few weeks ago (granted in the Syriac tradition) and quite enjoyed it. I encourage everyone to seek out occasions where this liturgy is offered. It's wonderful not only in its uniqueness, but in its beauty.
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(ROCOR-Chicago) - On Saturday, November 5th, Bishop Peter served the Liturgy of St. James, apostle and brother of the Lord, Con-celebrating were the cathedral and several local clergy. This most ancient of liturgies differs in many ways both in the contents of its prayers and petitions as well as in the flow of the service, from that of the liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. With its origin in early Christendom, one still hears the many petitions for those who suffer persecution for their faith.
The service was adorned with the singing of a male trio which, in keeping with the ancient nature of the service, used exclusively early polyphonic Slavic and Byzantine chants, a sample of which is provided below.
All who attended were deeply impressed with the beauty of this service and expressed the hope that this would be served on an annual basis of the feast of St. James.
O Only Begotten Son
Trisagion
Teaching of the hierarch (Russian)
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I was alerted to this interesting article on the Metropolitan of Saratov. Longin, celebrating the Liturgy of St. James. (There is a discreet link to a photo gallery of the event):
ReplyDeletehttp://www.eparhia-saratov.ru/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=58342&Itemid=194
What caught my interest (and that of the one who forwarded this to me) is that the Metropolitan is wearing a very ample conical chasuble.
The concelebrating priests, in turn, are wearing Greek-style phelon.
There is no reason that this liturgy should be such a rarity in America, where usually it will be celebrated only if a bishop is present. Here in Greece many parishes, though certainly not all or the majority, celebrated the liturgy of St. James on his feast day a few weeks back.
ReplyDeleteWhat are the rubrics about how frequently it can be celebrated?
ReplyDeleteSpecifically, can a bishop decide on any given day (barring other specific rubrics) that he will use the liturgy of Ss John, Basil, or James?
I've never seen the Liturgy of St. James, what a blessing indeed.
ReplyDeleteWhy they are sitting? Their position looks like a Latin Mass whne the Bishop is celebrating.
ReplyDelete