You will probably know of Arch. Ephrem from his much referenced Anastasis website of liturgical texts. This is a good interview on "liturgy as performance," understanding what is going on, and the importance of language.
(Youtube) - An interview with Archimandrite Ephrem (Lash), the well-known translator of church services into English -- on the significance of the liturgy, the unacceptability of the symbolic interpretation of church services, and on the work of Saints Cyril and Methodius.
Posts
In the symbolic interpretation of the Eucharist, the crucifixion occurs during the sermon.
ReplyDeleteOn a more serious note, the Crucifixion occurs during the Proskomidia, which is completed by the Hierarch before the Great Entrance.
ReplyDeleteUgh, it's all in “you who” language. In seminary, I made a deal with my liturgics professor: I'll use street English (“you who”) instead of liturgical English (proper thee's and thou's) in the Liturgy when he uses street Greek instead of liturgical Greek. His reply? «Κακός!»
ReplyDeleteThis is marvelous! At my home parish (St Nicholas Cathedral in Washington, D.C., where our Metropolitan often serves) the choir loft, while lovely and facilitating our magnificent acoustics, contributes to the congregation's reluctance to participate in the chanting along with the choir. I think if several members of the choir could come down and sing among them, more people would join in. We have tried this a few times, and it has worked positively. During Holy Week the choir always sings on the main level of the cathedral with the people, and the Metropolitan always enjoins the people to join in! I think in Russian and Slavic-style cathedrals or large churches with choir lofts, the problem thus can also be exacerbated by the layout of the cathedral interior. One thing my cathedral is doing, with the priest and choir director's is printing up the music for the vigil and Liturgy, and distributing it to members of the congregation before the services. I think we should definitely start classes once every week or so to teach members of the congregation how to read music as well!
ReplyDeleteI'm no fan of his "you who" language either.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for English (is there anyone against English these days, anyway?) but we have yet to come up with a liturgical English we can all like.