http://www.parma.org/bishop.htm#VoiceVoice of the Shepherd
The New Edition of the Divine Liturgy
In the mid-1990s, under the leadership of Metropolitan Judson Procyk, our church began a new look at ourselves with an eye to the future. One aspect was to review our celebration of the Divine Liturgy, to assure that the way we worship is faithful to Byzantine Catholic spirituality and theology and is welcoming to persons of 21st century America.
A complete program of revising texts and music and producing modern catechetical materials was envisioned.
A commission, representing all four eparchies, completed an extensive review and editing, which was then revised and approved by the Council of Hierarchs. The approved text was presented to the Holy See of Rome for its comments and recognition.
This long process was interrupted by the death of Metropolitan Judson. But now, over 10 years later, the church is prepared to present this new edition.
Last year, our eparchy presented the �Heaven on Earth� seminar, to help us direct our attention to the Divine Liturgy.
At that seminar, we were reminded, if not informed, of the many �why�s� of our Byzantine Catholic eucharistic worship. The seminar draws from the teaching of the early Church Fathers and from recent documents.
One very important document that provided principles used to produce this new edition came from the Second Vatican Council�s �Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.�
In that document, we are reminded that the Liturgy is both for those of faith and for all. It is an eternal action witnessed by us in our own time and place. No one should feel excluded.
The structure of the Liturgy must assure �that fully conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy� (#14), as together, clergy and laity, we form the body of Christ. Although certain parts are designated for the clergy, they are intended to benefit all present (#33).
�� it is essential to promote that warm and living love for Scripture to which the venerable tradition of both eastern and western rites gives testimony� (#24).
The various roles of persons within the Liturgy are to be respected. Priests, deacons, concelebrants, cantors, etc., together with all the laity, must exercise within their particular vocation to holiness (#28, 29).
The language of the Liturgy is to be such that it is easily understood (#34).
Change is never easy; those who remember the introduction of English will attest to that. To help with the transition, the various inter-eparchial commissions have produced a number of tools: publications for clergy, cantors and people; audio recordings of the new edition set to our chant; video recordings of the celebration and also of a catechetical session.
It is my personal hope that we will take a positive attitude and sincerely make an effort to adapt to the changes. Let�s not let disagreement on words or rubrics weaken our unity. With this unity, our church will continue to realize for years to come the blessings of the awesomeness of our Liturgy.
