Father Deacon Lance,

On another thread you recently wrote:

The bishops have only exercised what was their right according to the old Liturgicon as regards the Antiphons. Restoring the Teplota and removing the Filioque can only be seen as improvements.

Omitting the Little Litanies and the Litany of Offering could be seen as a major change if it were not already the widespread custom in the Metropolia.

Thank you for these explanations.

I agree that restoring the Tepolta and removing the Filioque are improvements. I'm glad that these issues are being dealt with at this stage of liturgical renewal. Is there any mention of restoring prosphora traditions at this time and not allowing the use of precut pieces at proskomide?

Regarding the Antiphons and the Little Litanies and the Litany of Offering:

Are you comments meaning that they will not be in the New Translation?

There actually have been Ruthenian parishes which have used these (and had fuller Antiphons)--similarly the Beatitudes. Do you know if they will be able to do these if they want to?

Similarly, earlier prototypes of the new Translation omitted some of the "Grant this, O Lord" petitions. Will these be available in the new Translation?

Again, thank you for clarifying what is in the new Translation.

Nec

"Regarding the Antiphons and the Little Litanies and the Litany of Offering:

Are you comments meaning that they will not be in the New Translation?
There actually have been Ruthenian parishes which have used these (and had fuller Antiphons)--similarly the Beatitudes. Do you know if they will be able to do these if they want to?

Similarly, earlier prototypes of the new Translation omitted some of the "Grant this, O Lord" petitions. Will these be available in the new Translation?"

The Three Antiphons are the first verse only. The Typical Pslams are the same as the Blue Book. The Beatitudes are given in full. The Little Litanies are omitted, as they were in the Blue Book. The Litany of Offering is one petition, omitting the "Grant it O Lord" petitions. The Litany of Supplication retains the "Grant it O Lord" petitions.

Even though things may not be in the book, there is nothing to prevent them from being done. It is not as if liturgical enforcers will be running about burning the old books or arresting priests and cantors.

Fr. Deacon Lance

Dear Deacon Lance,

How can they sing the verses if they are not in the book? From memory? What an idea!

Did you read the introduction to that horrible Good Friday book? Did you notice its language? "This and only this book may be used! No other texts or music is allowed". The word "mandate" was used.

Now, for liberals, crazy innovators, anarchists and 'progressives' they won't even read the introduction, notice the language of the first page, or care what it says.

But don't you see, for a conservative, and a traditionalist, such language is going to cause a terrible crisis of conscience! This proposed 'revision' by the revisionists is an attack particularly on traditionalists in the Church, and it has the potential to drive them out.

Talk about going against the trend, ignoring the "signs of the times" and shooting yourself in the foot! The Archbishop will alienate some the very people who are working hardest to contribute to the future of this Church. I hope he knows what the consequences will be.

Nick

Thank you Fr Deacon Lance for the details.

Will all the "Grant it, O Lord" petitions be included in the Litany of Supplication? The earlier prototype omitted several of them.

I take it from what you said that parishes will have the freedom to do fuller liturgies. Does that mean there will be no mandates to only follow this new translation?

Any news about the restoration of prosphora traditions at the same time as the restoration of the teplota?

Nec

"Will all the "Grant it, O Lord" petitions be included in the Litany of Supplication?"

Yes.

"I take it from what you said that parishes will have the freedom to do fuller liturgies. Does that mean there will be no mandates to only follow this new translation?"

No, but as I said noone is going to be burning the old books or excommunicating priests and cantors who take all the antiphon verses, etc.

"Any news about the restoration of prosphora traditions at the same time as the restoration of the teplota?"

No.

Thank you Father Deacon Lance for this information. I agree with Nicholas that it would be hard for those who value tradition to go against the ruling of their bishops.

It would seem that this would be a good time to restore prosphora traditions at the same time as the restoration of the Teplota.

What is the practice at the Seminary? How are our new priests being trained? With precut pieces or are they taught to use prosphora loaves?

Nec

Prosphora loaves are used at the Seminary.

Dear Father Deacon,
Thank you for the truly encouraging information that real prosphora are in use in the seminary. A logical next step would be to prepare a DVD or video-tape on prosphora: what they are, how they are used, and how to prepare them.

Incognitus

Excellent suggestion!

There has been concern expressed about the people not knowing some of the prayers said by the clergy at the altar. Filming the proskomide service using actual prosphora loaves and making that available would be beneficial to the faithful. Perhaps this is something that could be hosted by the Seminary or Metropolitan website?

Nec