NOTES.
NOTE I.EXPLANATORY OF ECCLESIASTICAL TERMS.
Aër.The external veil which is used to cover both chalice and paten.
Antidoron.That which remains of aProsphora(loaf of oblation) after the portion for consecration has been cut from it. This remainder is given to communicants (together with wine and warm water) immediately after the holy sacrament, and is also distributed to those of the congregation who are not communicants at the end of the Liturgy instead of the holy gifts themselves, and, for that reason, it is calledAntidoron. In the primitive church its distribution was known under the termAgape,i.e., Love-feast.
Axios.Worthy. An exclamation, referring to the candidates, used at ordinations.
Canon.An ecclesiastical composition, commemorative of any given festival or occasion, consisting of nine spiritual songs, according to the number of the degrees of the incorporealhosts, based upon these nine scriptural odes, or prayers, I. The song of Moses in Exodus (chap. xv.1-19). II. The song of Moses in Deuteronomy (chap. xxxii.1-43). This song, being indicative of God’s judgment against sinners, is sung only in penitential seasons, hence a Canon usually lacks the second Ode, the third following immediately on the first. III. The prayer of Anna (1 Kings ii.1-10). IV. The prayer of Abbacum (chap. iii.2ad fin.). V. The prayer of Esaias (chap. xxvi.9-20). VI. The prayer of Jonas (chap. ii.2-9). VII. The prayer of the Three Children (Daniel iii). VIII. The song of the same (Benedicite). IX. The song of Zacharias (Benedictus), preceded by that of the Virgin (Magnificat). Every Ode in a Canon is preceded by a verse calledIrmos, itself being the rhythmical model of the verses that follow, which are calledTroparia, because they turn upon a model. TheIrmoshowever is frequently omitted, or is sung only before Odes iii, vi, and ix (as also after these). See pages210,214, and218. A refrain pervades all the Odes. See pages129,183, and209. The refrains for the Canons at pages85and145are not expressed in the text, but these are respectively, “Have mercy upon me, O God, have mercy upon me,” and, “Rest, O Lord, thy sleeping servant’s soul.” The refrain is sung or said between every verse except the last two, “Glory to the Father, and to the Son,and to the Holy Ghost,” being prefixed to the last but one, and “Both now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen” to the last, which last is always addressed to the God-bearing Virgin. Sometimes,e.g., in penitential seasons, the verses of the Odes are sung together with those of their scriptural prototypes, and the rubric then indicates to how many of these verses, counting backwards from the last, the ecclesiastically composed ones are to be subjoined. Thus at page128the Canon is directed to be sung to vi,i.e., six verses (counting backwards) of the scriptural prototype in each Ode; but in this case, if so sung, the refrain would be omitted. A Canon is moreover usually divided into three parts, the division taking place after the third and sixth Odes, a verse calledKathisma, or one calledHypacoë, frequently occurring after Ode iii, and one calledCondakion, followed by one or more calledIcos(pl.Icosi) after Ode vi. Sometimes an epistle and gospel lection occurs after theCondakionandIcos. See page167. Finally, it is to be remarked that anEctenia(q. v.) usually follows Ode iii (before theKathisma), Ode vi (before theCondakionandIcos), and Ode ix.
Cherubic Hymn.The song sung at the great Introit in the celebration of the Liturgy, when the prepared gifts are solemnly carried from theProthesis(table of oblations) through the church to the altar. The words of the ancient songaccompanying this rite are as follows,
Let all mortal flesh be still, and let it stand in fear and awe, and think of nothing earthly to itself, because the King of kings and Lord of lords approacheth to be slain, and given for the faithful’s food.
(Here the procession takes place.)
Him do precede th’ angelic choirs, with all their principals and powers, the cherubim of many eyes, and the six-winged seraphim, who shade their faces and sing forth the song, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
These words however are now only sung on Holy Saturday, and, except on that day, and on Holy Thursday, and at the Liturgy of the Presanctified, are substituted by the following, dating from the time of Justinian,
We, who the cherubim in mystery represent and sing the song thrice-holy to the quickening Trinity, should put away now every care of life,
(The procession.)
That we the King of all things may receive, who borne in is on spears by angel ranks unseen. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
On Holy Thursday the words are,
Of thy mysterious supper, Son of God, me a communicant accept to-day; for I thy mystery to thy foes will not betray, nor give to thee a kiss as Judas did; but, as the thief, I will confess thee: Lord, in thy kingdom O remember me.
(The procession.)
Of thy mysterious supper....the whole again, concluding with the thrice sung Alleluia.
And at the Liturgy of the Presanctified,
Now serve the heavenly powers unseen with us; for, lo, the King of glory cometh in. Behold, the mystic sacrifice, that perfected hath been, is borne in on the spears.
(The procession.)
Let us draw near with faith and love, that we of life immortal may partakers be. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Condakion.A short verse expressing the purport of any given festival or occasion. See Canon.
Dismissal.The concluding words of an office. A full form of these is given at page222, but in other places, when they are expressed at all, it is in a more or less fragmentary manner.
Ectenia.A form of prayer consisting of a number of rogations with responses. There is a great, and a little Ectenia, an Ectenia of earnest prayer, and one of supplication. The normal form of these is as follows,
The great Ectenia, called also the Ectenia of peace.
In peace let us pray to the Lord.Response.Lord, have mercy,and so after the succeeding rogations. For the peace that is from above, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord. For the peace of the whole world,the good estate of the holy churches of God, and for the union of them all, let us pray to the Lord. For this holy temple, and for them that with faith, piety, and fear of God enter into it, let us pray to the Lord. For the most holy Governing Synod, and for our Metropolitan,name, for our Archbishop, or Bishop,name,according to the eparchy, for the honourable presbytery, the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the laity, let us pray to the Lord.Here follow rogations for the Emperor and the Imperial Family, mentioning them by name.To aid them and to subdue under their feet every enemy and adversary, let us pray to the Lord. For this city (if it is monastery, For this holy habitation), for every city and country, and for them that in faith dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord. For healthiness of weather, for plentifulness of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord. For them that voyage, that journey, that are sick, that are suffering, that are in bonds, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.Here are inserted additional rogations for special circumstances.For our deliverance from all affliction, passion, and want, let us pray to the Lord. Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace. Commemorating our most holy, most pure, most blessed glorious Lady, the God-bearing Ever-virgin Mary, together with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves,and one another, and all our life to Christ our God.Response.To thee, O Lord.Exclamation by the priest.For to thee is due all glory, honour, and Worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages.Response.Amen.
The little Ectenia.
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord. Help us.... Commemorating....as in the great Ectenia, with a varying exclamation.
The Ectenia of earnest prayer.
Let us all say with our whole soul, and with our whole mind let us say,Response. Lord, have mercy. O Lord almighty, O God of our fathers, we pray thee, hear, and have mercy.Response.Lord, have mercy. Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we pray thee, hear, and have mercy.Response.Lord, have mercy,three times; and so after the succeeding rogations, the next being for the Emperor and the Imperial Family, mentioning them by name. Then the Synod, the Metropolitan, and all sorts and conditions of men, and those especially for whom the occasion serves are mentioned, and the Ectenia is concluded by the priest with the exclamation, For thou art a merciful and man-loving God, and to thee we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages.Response.Amen.
The Ectenia of supplication.
Let us fulfil our supplication to the Lord.Response.Lord, have mercy. Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.Response.Lord, have mercy. That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.Response.Vouchsafe, O Lord,and so successively. An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord. Pardon and forgiveness of our sins and iniquities, let us ask of the Lord. What is good and profitable for our souls, and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord. That the remaining time of our life may be accomplished in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord. A christian end of our life, painless, unashamed, peaceful, and a good answer at the fearful judgment-seat of Christ, let us ask. Commemorating....as before written, with an exclamation, or, Having prayed.... See page69.
Epigonation.A lozenge shaped ornament, worn by bishops and archimandrites, suspended from the girdle and resting upon the knee. It signifies a spiritual sword, with which the wearers should defend those committed to their charge.
Epitrachelion.The priest’s stole.
Exapostilarion.A verse said or sung before the psalms of praise (Psalms cxlviii, cxlix, andcl). Some derive the term from the verse being sung by one of the clergy who is sent out of his place in the choir into the middle of the church to sing it; but others from it being a verse substituting a more ancient series of verses (Lucerns), in which the Lord is prayed to send forth light unto us.
Hypacoë.A term implying that the verse bearing its name should be listened to with particular attention.
Icos.A stanza. See Canon.
Idiomelon (pl. Idiomela).A verse that is of its own mode,i.e., one not composed upon anIrmos, or model.
Irmos (pl. Irmi).See Canon.
Kathisma.A verse during the singing of which it is permitted to sit.
Omophorion.The bishop’s pall.
Orarion.The deacon’s stole.
Phelonion.A vestment or cope.
Prokimenon.A verse, taken from the psalms, sung before the reading of an appointed epistle. With this is conjoined another verse, and the mode of saying and singing these is as follows. The reader says the prokimenon, and the choir repeats the same. Then the reader says the conjoined verse, and the choir again sings the prokimenon. Finally the reader says half the prokimenon, and the choir sings the remaining half.
Sloujébnik.The service book containing theprayers said by the priest and deacon at Vespers, Matins, and Liturgy.
Stasis.A subdivision of the psalter. The whole psalter is divided into twenty sections, and each of these is subdivided into three parts.[3]
Sticharion.A tunicle.
Stichera.Ecclesiastically composed verses, usually conjoined with verses selected from the psalms.
Theotokion.A verse addressed to the God-bearing Virgin.
Tone.The ecclesiastical tones are eight in number, and are based upon the ancient classical modes, namely, the Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, and Ionian for tones i to iv, and the minors of these for tones v to viii. The Slavonic, Greek, and Gregorian tones correspond thus,
Trisagion.The thrice-holy hymn, the words of which are as follow,
Holy God, holy mighty one, holy immortalone, have mercy upon us, sung three times.
When sung in a more solemn manner at the Liturgy and other offices before the reading of the epistle and gospel the mode is thus,
Holy God, holy mighty one, holy immortal one, have mercy upon us.Three times.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, both now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen.
Holy immortal one, have mercy upon us.
(Dynamis.)
Holy God, holy mighty one, holy immortal one, have mercy upon us.
At Easter, Pentecost, Christmas, and Epiphany, on the day before Palm Sunday, on Holy Saturday, and at Baptisms, this hymn is superseded by the following,
As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia.Three times.
Glory to the Father....ending, to ages of ages. Amen.
Have put on Christ. Alleluia.
As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia.
See pages35and167.
Troparion.A verse that is composed (lit.turns) upon a model. See Canon. The term has also a wider signification, and is used to indicate the principal commemorative verse for any festival or occasion, and as such is referred to in the text as “the troparion for the day.”