Liturgy at Our Lady Saint Mary Magdalene: what is "liturgy"?
Liturgy, Ritual, Ceremony and Rites
Welcome, Anamchara; Namaste.
| "Anamchara" means "Soul friend". "Namaste" means, "The sacred in me honours the sacred in you". |
“Liturgy” is such a mysterious sounding word when it shouldn’t be. We use it instead of the word “service”
that other traditions usually use.
To catholics, liturgies are ceremonies, or rituals of religious worship. In one of the Christian catholic
traditions it is used as a specific title for the Eucharist. In general it designates all formal services,
including the Divine Office. The written texts of the rites and their celebration together make up our
“liturgy”.
The liturgy is the celebration. The “service”, in our eyes, starts with each of us as we return to the world –
for the next 6 days.
Among many Protestants, “church service” describes free, spontaneous prayer, in contrast to a fixed form
of worship. Outside the Christian church, the word “liturgy” refers to a form of prayer (for example, the
form of prayer recited in Jewish synagogues).
that other traditions usually use.
To catholics, liturgies are ceremonies, or rituals of religious worship. In one of the Christian catholic
traditions it is used as a specific title for the Eucharist. In general it designates all formal services,
including the Divine Office. The written texts of the rites and their celebration together make up our
“liturgy”.
The liturgy is the celebration. The “service”, in our eyes, starts with each of us as we return to the world –
for the next 6 days.
Among many Protestants, “church service” describes free, spontaneous prayer, in contrast to a fixed form
of worship. Outside the Christian church, the word “liturgy” refers to a form of prayer (for example, the
form of prayer recited in Jewish synagogues).
Liturgy – in general:
The Liturgy is the body of rites (spiritual ceremonies) prescribed for formal public worship. Although the term is
sometimes applied to Jewish worship, it is especially associated with the prayers and ceremonies used in the
celebration of the Eucharist (or Lord's Supper, or Communion) - these are called Sacraments.
During the first three centuries of the Christian era, the rite of the church was comparatively fluid, according to
various accounts of the Last Supper that survive in old writings.
The Liturgy and Ritual are constants in the lives of spiritual people: constants that provide instant familiarity - and
serve to bring comfort in times of need and crisis, as well as during "normal" worship activities.
Our LITURGY & SACRAMENTS (also called "Mysteries") - also see Ceremony-Ritual, for our Sacraments & Dawn Cove
Abbey.
The Liturgy at Saint Mary Magdalene is a sacramental one (see Sacraments), adapted from the Church of Antioch
Liturgy & Anglo-Roman liturgies, to be as inclusive as possible, yet familiar to those from other Liturgical/Catholic
traditions (see "Our Creed").
The Liturgy is the body of rites (spiritual ceremonies) prescribed for formal public worship. Although the term is
sometimes applied to Jewish worship, it is especially associated with the prayers and ceremonies used in the
celebration of the Eucharist (or Lord's Supper, or Communion) - these are called Sacraments.
During the first three centuries of the Christian era, the rite of the church was comparatively fluid, according to
various accounts of the Last Supper that survive in old writings.
The Liturgy and Ritual are constants in the lives of spiritual people: constants that provide instant familiarity - and
serve to bring comfort in times of need and crisis, as well as during "normal" worship activities.
Our LITURGY & SACRAMENTS (also called "Mysteries") - also see Ceremony-Ritual, for our Sacraments & Dawn Cove
Abbey.
The Liturgy at Saint Mary Magdalene is a sacramental one (see Sacraments), adapted from the Church of Antioch
Liturgy & Anglo-Roman liturgies, to be as inclusive as possible, yet familiar to those from other Liturgical/Catholic
traditions (see "Our Creed").
Saint Mary Magdalene at Dawn Cove Abbey celebrates and conducts all the Sacraments/Mysteries, including:
* Regular & Healing Masses * Memorial (requiem) masses * Baptisms
* Reconciliation (Confession & Absolution * The "church part" of marriages (or of civil marriages)
* Special seasonal masses * Matins (Morning Prayer) & Vespers (Evensong)
* Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) See "Div Office-Lit of Hours"
We call the Divine Office "Daily Offices", which consist of:
Matins (Morning Prayer); Evensong (Vespers, Evening Prayer), and Compline.
* Exorcism * Also Pastoral/Spiritual Counseling/Counselling
Liturgy literally means "service" and is referred to as "work of God" / the people's work of/for God.
* Regular & Healing Masses * Memorial (requiem) masses * Baptisms
* Reconciliation (Confession & Absolution * The "church part" of marriages (or of civil marriages)
* Special seasonal masses * Matins (Morning Prayer) & Vespers (Evensong)
* Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) See "Div Office-Lit of Hours"
We call the Divine Office "Daily Offices", which consist of:
Matins (Morning Prayer); Evensong (Vespers, Evening Prayer), and Compline.
* Exorcism * Also Pastoral/Spiritual Counseling/Counselling
Liturgy literally means "service" and is referred to as "work of God" / the people's work of/for God.
Saint Mary Magdalene & Dawn Cove Abbey, cherish and promote freedom and diversity of belief and accept that
others may conceive of God, and worship Him/Her, in ways that are different from ours.
The Sacred & Divine manifests itself in many ways at different times and among different people. We welcome
and accept people from ALL traditions who are sincere seekers after Spirit, in whatever form it may take. After
all, "we did not weave the web of life".
We believe that:
About the form of the Liturgy:
In about the 4th century the various traditions crystallized into four liturgies:
* the Antiochene, or Greek,
* the Alexandrian,
* the Roman,
* and the Gallican,
from which all others have been derived.
Thus: "liturgy" is also a way of describing "an order of service". Also see "Ceremony-Ritual".
others may conceive of God, and worship Him/Her, in ways that are different from ours.
The Sacred & Divine manifests itself in many ways at different times and among different people. We welcome
and accept people from ALL traditions who are sincere seekers after Spirit, in whatever form it may take. After
all, "we did not weave the web of life".
We believe that:
- We must be tolerant of other people's religious views, because all religions have much that is true about
them, and we must combat ignorance by education, bigotry by tolerance, and tyranny by teaching true virtue. - We believe that this provides us both with a common meeting ground - a place to proceed from.
About the form of the Liturgy:
In about the 4th century the various traditions crystallized into four liturgies:
* the Antiochene, or Greek,
* the Alexandrian,
* the Roman,
* and the Gallican,
from which all others have been derived.
Thus: "liturgy" is also a way of describing "an order of service". Also see "Ceremony-Ritual".
Worship, Prayer, and Liturgy
In the beginning: The earliest Christians were either Jews or God-fearing gentiles who worshiped in the synagogue; therefore, early
worship followed the pattern of the synagogue liturgy, which it still does in Lutheran, Orthodox, Anglican, and Roman Catholic
churches today (among others). Justin Martyr describes Christian worship in the second century as following this pattern. The word
liturgy comes from a Greek word meaning "work of the people." That’s why we believe that “service” starts after the Mass – the
“work” we do in our daily lives, which reflects our spiritual nature.
In the Eastern Church, the word “liturgy” is restricted to the Communion portion of the service (Greece, Russia, Ukraine etc). In the
Western Church (us), the term refers to the entire order of worship and is generally used in churches where the congregation
performs parts of the worship service by speaking or praying in unison.
The Christian worship service is ancient, and comes from the synagogue service.
It consists of two parts, which we can see in the events of Nehemiah 8. In Nehemiah 8:1-9, the people gather to hear the Scriptures
and expository sermons, and in Nehemiah 8:10-12, they participate in a meal.
The two parts of Christian worship are as follows:
The Synaxis (The Liturgy/Service of the Word)
The first part is modeled on the liturgy of the synagogue, and in ancient times as in the present, it is public. Synaxis comes from the
same Greek word as synagogue; it means gathering together. This part of the service consists of prayers, scripture readings, psalms,
hymns, and the sermon. Because it is centered on the Word of God, it is often called the Service of the Word.
The Eucharist (The Liturgy/Service of the Table/Eucharist (Mass/Communion)
The second part of the service (which is occasionally omitted, especially if no clergy are present) is the Communion service.
In ancient times it was called the Eucharist, the Greek word for thanksgiving. It could be viewed as an extension of the Kiddush, or
fellowship meal that often follows synagogue services. This part of the service consists of hymns, prayers, the Lord's Prayer, and the
sharing of the bread and wine.
Originally, this part of the service was secret - only baptized Christians could attend or participate. However, overheard
acclamations ("this is my body, take; eat") led pagans to conclude that cannibalism and other untoward things were going on, which led
to violent persecutions.
As a result, this part of the service is open to the public as well. In modern churches, worshipers greet each other and announcements
are made during the break between the Synaxis (the Service of the Word) and the Eucharist (the Communion Part). Not all Catholic
rites do so, however.
Eastern Christian liturgy has not changed much over the last thousand years. The service is elaborate and the clergy and the choir
perform it in the presence of the congregation. The role of the congregation is in many cases limited to standing in awe and adoration.
Western liturgy has always been characterized by simplicity.
Over the centuries, the west was dominated by only two or three liturgical styles, which gradually conformed themselves to Roman
practice.
During the Protestant Reformation the liturgy was reformed to expand the role of the congregation and to make Communion more
frequent.
The idea of a preplanned worship service was rejected first by the Anabaptists; then by the Quakers and the Puritans.
Most religious groups that originated in Canada and the United States during the nineteenth century can be characterized as 'non-
liturgical' in the sense that the congregation has no formal, corporate role in worship other than to be the audience and to join in
singing.
In the beginning: The earliest Christians were either Jews or God-fearing gentiles who worshiped in the synagogue; therefore, early
worship followed the pattern of the synagogue liturgy, which it still does in Lutheran, Orthodox, Anglican, and Roman Catholic
churches today (among others). Justin Martyr describes Christian worship in the second century as following this pattern. The word
liturgy comes from a Greek word meaning "work of the people." That’s why we believe that “service” starts after the Mass – the
“work” we do in our daily lives, which reflects our spiritual nature.
In the Eastern Church, the word “liturgy” is restricted to the Communion portion of the service (Greece, Russia, Ukraine etc). In the
Western Church (us), the term refers to the entire order of worship and is generally used in churches where the congregation
performs parts of the worship service by speaking or praying in unison.
The Christian worship service is ancient, and comes from the synagogue service.
It consists of two parts, which we can see in the events of Nehemiah 8. In Nehemiah 8:1-9, the people gather to hear the Scriptures
and expository sermons, and in Nehemiah 8:10-12, they participate in a meal.
The two parts of Christian worship are as follows:
The Synaxis (The Liturgy/Service of the Word)
The first part is modeled on the liturgy of the synagogue, and in ancient times as in the present, it is public. Synaxis comes from the
same Greek word as synagogue; it means gathering together. This part of the service consists of prayers, scripture readings, psalms,
hymns, and the sermon. Because it is centered on the Word of God, it is often called the Service of the Word.
The Eucharist (The Liturgy/Service of the Table/Eucharist (Mass/Communion)
The second part of the service (which is occasionally omitted, especially if no clergy are present) is the Communion service.
In ancient times it was called the Eucharist, the Greek word for thanksgiving. It could be viewed as an extension of the Kiddush, or
fellowship meal that often follows synagogue services. This part of the service consists of hymns, prayers, the Lord's Prayer, and the
sharing of the bread and wine.
Originally, this part of the service was secret - only baptized Christians could attend or participate. However, overheard
acclamations ("this is my body, take; eat") led pagans to conclude that cannibalism and other untoward things were going on, which led
to violent persecutions.
As a result, this part of the service is open to the public as well. In modern churches, worshipers greet each other and announcements
are made during the break between the Synaxis (the Service of the Word) and the Eucharist (the Communion Part). Not all Catholic
rites do so, however.
Eastern Christian liturgy has not changed much over the last thousand years. The service is elaborate and the clergy and the choir
perform it in the presence of the congregation. The role of the congregation is in many cases limited to standing in awe and adoration.
Western liturgy has always been characterized by simplicity.
Over the centuries, the west was dominated by only two or three liturgical styles, which gradually conformed themselves to Roman
practice.
During the Protestant Reformation the liturgy was reformed to expand the role of the congregation and to make Communion more
frequent.
The idea of a preplanned worship service was rejected first by the Anabaptists; then by the Quakers and the Puritans.
Most religious groups that originated in Canada and the United States during the nineteenth century can be characterized as 'non-
liturgical' in the sense that the congregation has no formal, corporate role in worship other than to be the audience and to join in
singing.
Fr. Klaas Tuinman MA
Yarmouth County, NS, Canada, - 2008
Yarmouth County, NS, Canada, - 2008
| And the best-known words of the liturgy: "The gifts of God, for the children of God." |
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