Byzantine
Rite Worship in the Holy Orthodox Catholic Apostolic Church
The liturgical worship
of the Church today is primarily that of Saint John Chrysostom (fifth century).
During Lent and on the Feast day of Saint Basil the Great, the Church uses
the Liturgy of Saint Basil which dates from the fourth century. Saint Basil's
liturgy is almost the same as that of Saint John Chrysostom in the audible
parts that are sung, but has an almost complete set of secret prayers of
its own.. On the Feast day of Saint James, the liturgy attributed to him
is used. The Liturgy of Saint James originated in the first century.
On Lenten weekdays,
a Liturgy known as that of S. Gregory the Great is used. This is not the
Roman Mass for ordinary days, but within the Eastern liturgical frame it
is exactly parallel to the Mass of the Pre-sanctified used in Rome up to
recent times on Good Friday. The attribution to S. Gregory therefore seems
entirely appropriate.
Until the eleventh century,
the Liturgy of S. Basil was used far more than that of S. John Chrysostom;
the Lirurgy of s. Mark was used in the Patriarchate of Alexandria, and
a number of other changes have occurred since the time of the eponymous
Saints.
Fr Michael
Elder has had a life-long devotion to the Eastern Orthodox services, and
still in his 80s celebrates the Divine Liturgy on Sundays and Feasts and
recites the daily Offices in his domestic chapel. The Dean is inviting
him to compose an article on how beautifully this great tradition
embodies the faith of the ancient Councils and Fathers.
Fr
Michael's article
Fr
Michael's Chapel at Diamond Harbour