In case anyone is interested, the Maronite Synod has elected 5 new bishops. http://www.gcatholic.com

What always strikes me, when these kinda things happen, is how seldom one hears a petition at Divine Liturgy or Mass: "for an increase in vocations to the episcopacy, let us pray to the Lord."

The reason for that being a simple theological one: a little bit of bishop goes a long way.

May God grant many years to the Bishops-elect!

Ordination:

https://picasaweb.google.com/112169770651060026668/NewEveques_2872012?noredirect=1

Isn't the venue just lovely? It probably won't come as much of a surprise that I refer to it as the "Bkerke Bowl"

And there's not a beard in the bunch. Even the OAM (who wore a beard for years) seems to have shaved it. Ah well ...

malphono, my brother,

I admit to having seen the pics last night and presuming that the amphitheater had been temporarily erected for the occasion - no such luck, huh? What is it used for in between episcopal ordinations?



I don't remember from the initial posting, but the OAM bishop (or the one whom I presume to be the OAM bishop) looks relatively young. What's his age?

Many years,

Neil

Wouldst that it were temporary, but alas, the "Bowl" has been there for several years. It was the site of the enthronement of the Patriarch in 2011 and is s used for all sorts of other events.



Mar Mousa El-Hage is, I believe, 59 yo. See photo #7. He's the tall guy, 2nd from the right.

Do the Maronites have a custom similar to some Syriacs and Malankara, where the deacon/Priest-candidate will be clean shaven for the day of his priestly ordination - then not shave again? Maybe this is the case for episcopal ordination as well in Maronite custom?

Question:

I've studied that Maronites belong liturgically to the West Syriac family, but it looks East Syriac in these photos - where do the Maronites stand?

Those the Maronites use the West-Syriac script (Serto), I believe that their liturgical roots are largely East Syriac.

Michael, my brother,

The Maronite Divine Liturgy is West Syrian in origins but has accrued both East Syrian and Latin aspects over time. Their Qurbono is a variant on the Liturgy of St James as served by the Syriacs.

Many years,

Neil

The liturgical patrimony of all the Syriac Churches, both Eastern & Western, is shared and has its original roots in Edessa. In the Early centuries, of course, the West Syriac, having developed within the bounds of the Roman Empire, underwent its development in Antioch, yet certain common elements pointing to those Edessene roots remained and still do, particularly in certain local usages. It's true that the Maronite usage is essentially West Syriac but as it happens, we retained a bit more from Edessa than did Antioch itself. Perhaps the best example of this is the Anaphora of Peter III (often called "Sharrar" ("confirm") after its first word), which is unique among the 72+ West Syriac anaphorae in that its structure is very similar to that of Addai & Mari.

No, not that I've ever heard tell.

malphono,

Who is the new bishop with the distinctive vesture and what is its significance?

Many years,

Neil

You mean the one on the left wearing the red-trimmed phaino?