THE LITURGY OF SAINT IGNATIUS
(RENAUDOT, Collection of Oriental Liturgies, 2nd ed., Frankfurt, 1847, in-4º, vol. II, p. 214.)
There is no need for a long discourse to prove the novelty of this Liturgy, as it sufficiently betrays itself. Its style, inflated with synonyms and epithets beyond measure, better suits the eloquence of wretched centuries than the simplicity of the early apostolic times, which the genuine writings of the Martyr Ignatius represent. Many testimonies occurring in theological books teach us that he once existed among the Syrians in their vernacular language, but above all, there are not a few excerpts from his genuine Epistles, which are found added to the Canons of the Councils in an ancient Syriac version, as represented by the parchment Medicean Codex. The interpreter added that these sentiments are not commonly referred to among the Canons, but by the name of so great a man, they hold a certain equal authority. We acknowledge that translation as having been made from the best codices, and by an author who, whoever he may have been, was not unlearned; moreover, we have observed that it is worthy of note that the codices he used, similar to that most celebrated Florentine one which the Latin translator employed, were centuries old and recognized no other than the true Epistles. But no church, except the Jacobite Church of Antioch, has hitherto held a Liturgy attributed to Ignatius; and we can think nothing else of this one than that, since it bore no singular title and was proper to the Church of Antioch, it received the name of Ignatius as that of its distinguished Bishop. It could also have been written by some Ignatius who held that see, for several were so called among the Patriarchs of the Jacobites, and through the fault of copyists, it was referred to the Martyr, which would be the work of a new man. But as much as was necessary has been said elsewhere regarding what judgment should be made of such titles.
In this very Liturgy, there is not to be found even the slightest trace of the Monophysite heresy, a note of greater antiquity than we suppose, which might seem probable to some. Yet it must be remembered, as has been observed elsewhere, that rarely among the Syrian Jacobites were those things which pertain to the confirmation of their doctrine concerning the mystery of the Incarnation accustomed to be inserted into liturgical prayers. That was proper only to the Egyptians, who joined to the Confession of the truth of the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist, another concerning the one nature in Christ. Therefore, the fact that nothing pertaining to it is found in this Liturgy of Ignatius is of no moment for proving its antiquity, since it bears so many indications of a later age from other sources. Among those, however, the commemoration made in the Diptychs of saints who flourished in the Church long after Ignatius had been consumed by martyrdom ought not to be counted; for those names could have been added, as is observed in others, because such commemorations were of ecclesiastical custom. But the fact that Dioscorus and Severus are explicitly commemorated makes it manifest that this Liturgy was proper to the Jacobites.
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First Prayer before the Peace.
O holy God the Father, begetter of the eternal offspring, dispenser of goods and giver of tranquility and peace, who art magnificent beyond all comprehension of minds and rational souls in thy divine gifts which thou hast granted to us sinners and thy children, when thou providedst for us that we might administer them as is right and just: grant to us that with the utmost purity and chastity, and immunity from all deceit, we may give one another peace, with the embraces of the Holy Spirit, and in the bond of true charity, that, standing in one spiritual concord, and observing a peaceful unanimity, we may be rendered worthy of the blessed banquet and sanctification of thine only-begotten Son, with whom glory, honor, and power befit thee, with thy most holy Spirit. People. Amen. Priest. Peace. People. And with thy spirit. Deacon. Let everyone give the peace. People. All. Deacon. After. People. Before thee. Priest. Thou art good, blessed, and the giver of blessings toward all those who believe in thee. And now, O Lord, do not look upon the fact that we are unworthy, nor, because of our lack of faith, deprive thy faithful people before thee, O Lord, of thy divine grace, but placidly and kindly send thy blessings upon this congregation of those who adore thee: fill us with the grace and light of thy knowledge, and receive the prayers of thy flock, that in pure contemplation, with the fruitful first-fruits of good works, we may keep the feast together to thee, and exalt thee and thine only-begotten Son and thy Holy Spirit. People. Amen.
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Priest, raising his voice. Who can explain with words the benefits of thy clemency, O Lord? Or who can recount the abundance of thy love toward men, O Blessed One? Thou who, when we were held with a multitude of impieties and bound by the chains of sins, hast made us worthy of a ministry such as this, exalted and great. Grant us that, being cleansed from the filth of sin, and having ourselves most purely in body and soul, we may be rendered worthy of that blessedness which hath been promised by thee to those who do thy will, and of the illumination and illustration of thy holy Spirit, that also by the function of the priesthood of thine only-begotten Son, through whom and with whom glory, honor, and empire befit thee with thy holy Spirit. People. Amen. Deacon. Let us stand, etc. People. Of mercy, etc. Priest. The charity, etc. People. And with thy spirit.
Liturgy of St. Ignatius
A Priest. Lift up your hearts. People. We lift them up unto the Lord. Priest. Let us give thanks unto the Lord. People. It is meet and right. Priest (bowing). It is truly meet that adoration be offered to thee with honor, praise, and exaltation, by all thy rational creatures, and at the same time to thine only-begotten Son, and to thy holy Spirit.
Raising his voice. Thou art he who, from sublime and immaterial substances, art honored, praised, and celebrated with perpetual glorification in the highest with supreme beauty and triumph, with pure and holy canticles, with sweet and pleasant citharas, with exaltations and triumphal hymns, with incessant festivals, and with songs that never cease, through incorporeal mouths, through tongues not of flesh, through the excellent proclamations of spiritual beings, through the equal concord of the fiery ones, through the pure voices of the thrones, through the great sound of the cherubim, and the most pure sanctifications of the seraphim, who terrifically clap their wings and, flying, thrice sanctify, cry out, vociferate, and say: People. Holy, Holy, Holy. Priest (bowing). For holy art thou, O God the Father; holy also is thine only-begotten Son; holy also is thy holy Spirit: who, through thy love toward man, hast made us like unto the heavenly ones, and hast so loved us that thou didst send thine only-begotten Son, coessential with thee, for our salvation: who took flesh ineffably, and was made man, as he willed and knew, and accomplished for our sake all things that were ours, sin excepted.
Raising his voice. Who accomplished the whole salutary dispensation for our sake, and through his holy sufferings demonstrated the truth of his advent in the flesh. In the night of the Passover, in which he was delivered up for the life and salvation of the world, he took bread into his holy hands, sanctified it [+], and broke [+], and gave [+] to his holy disciples and apostles, saying: Take, eat of it. This is my body which for you and many is prepared for the remission of sins and life eternal. People. Amen.
B Priest. Likewise also, when he had mingled the cup of life with wine and water [+], he sanctified [+] it, and gave it to his holy disciples, saying: Take, drink of it, all of you: This is my blood, which I give for the life of the world; but for you and for many it is prepared for the remission of sins, and for life eternal. People. Amen. Priest. Do this in my remembrance: for as often as ye shall eat this bread and drink this cup, ye shall commemorate my death, and confess my resurrection until I come. People. Thy death, etc. Priest (bowing). Remembering, therefore, all those things which were accomplished for us and on our behalf by thy dispensation, thy salutary nativity, thy divine baptism, thy life-giving burial, thy resurrection, thy Lord’s ascension, thy glorious assumption, and thy sitting at the right hand of the majesty of God and the Father: and we also commemorate thy second coming, which is to be feared and is full of trembling, when, arising with glory, thou shalt judge the living and the dead, showing thyself to be seen with terror; when the angels shall tremble at the splendor of thy judgment, and the archangels shall quake; the powers shall be shaken, the thrones shall be disturbed, and the celestial orders shall be struck with terror. Then shall all men, standing in pain, await the judge, feared and powerful; then shall be the place befitting justice, but grace shall offer no mercy; when the coals are burning, the flame consuming, the hell inextinguishable: when prayers shall be repelled, and supplications shall not be accepted, orations shall not be heard, and the obsecrations of everyone shall be cut off: spare us, O Lord, and stretch forth thy right hand over us all. Enter not into judgment with us, do not recall our iniquities to memory, do not set our voices to a strict examination: let us not be exiles from thy grace, nor strangers to thine inheritance: let us not be delivered to dire torments, nor to the worm that gnaws the breast, nor be included with the impious; C let us not be set among the wicked: let us not be participants of the unjust: let us not be cast into punishments and gnashing of teeth: do not deny us, as those who knew thee not: nor destroy us together with those who did not love thee.
But make thy salvation shine forth upon us; spare us according to thy love toward man. Send unto us the riches of thy clemency, set us at thy right hand; remember us all through thy mercy: save us according to the multitude of thy grace, and help us through thy clemency. Join us to thy flock, and number us among the orders of those whom thou lovest, make us worthy of thy kingdom, and lead us into thy bridal chamber. And because of these things thy Church and thy flock beseeches thee, and through thee and with thee thy Father, saying: People. Have mercy. Priest. We also, etc. People. We glorify thee. Deacon. How to be feared is this hour, etc. Priest says the invocation of the Holy Spirit. Have mercy upon us, O God the Father Almighty, and send upon us thy holy Spirit who fills all things, and is God over all, and coessential to thee and to thine only-begotten Son; who at every hour distributes gifts; and divides and gives to each, as he wills: who is present to all, and is not circumscribed by place, who contains the life of those who live, and is the perfecter of the holiness of the saints: that, by his descent sanctifying these pure mysteries, he may also cleanse me from my filth. Priest. Hear me, O Lord.
People. Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy. A
Priest, raising his voice. And may he, having descended and sanctified, make this bread indeed the holy and sanctifying Body; a body purifying and propitiatory; a body granting incorruption: the Body of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins and eternal life to those who receive it.
People. Amen.
Priest. And may he make this chalice the living and life-giving Blood, pure and holy blood, a blood purifying and sanctifying; the Blood of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins and eternal life to those who receive it.
People. Amen.
Priest. We, therefore, having been rendered worthy by the oblation of these holy mysteries; and having the eye of our mind illuminated through the knowledge of the truth, we pray and beseech you, that these proposed mysteries may be to us, and to those who receive them, for the stirring up of the vigilance of the soul, for the health of the body, for the true participation in the adoption of sons, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, for the inheritance of the heavenly kingdom: for the remission of offenses and sins, for goodness and love towards mankind befit you, and to you we render glory and thanksgiving, and likewise to your only-begotten Son, etc.
People. Amen.
Priest, bowing. Before you, O Lord, we beseech you, through this sacrifice which is perfect and complete through the Holy Spirit, for your holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, that it may be preserved secure and unshaken, and that the gates of hell may not prevail against it. And for our holy fathers and our rulers, especially for the blessed Patriarch B our N.N. and our Bishop N.N., with the rest of the Orthodox Bishops. Preserve them from evil incursions and from pernicious pastures. For Priests and Deacons, and every ecclesiastical order, preserving each one in that vocation to which he is called, without crime and accusation. Have mercy also on my frailness according to your mercy and clemency, and do not at the same time destroy me with my iniquities, but show C your goodness towards me, although I am unworthy: save me according to the multitude of your mercy, that through all I may glorify you in all the days of my life: that you may remove me from earthly thoughts, and that I may be pure and bright, and without spot, and as becomes the vigilance required in the ministry, may I holily handle these mysteries. For those also who are infirm in body and soul, and for those others who are in feared purifications, namely, in dangers and exiles, that you may grant health and relief to the former, and freedom and liberation to the latter. Bless also the crown of the year through your kindness; and may you ever remember the air D and all the fruits of the earth.
People. Lord, have mercy.
Priest, raising his voice. And preserve, O Lord, your faithful people, and deliver us from all stains and blemishes of sin, and from every kind of affliction, and from the evil and pernicious machinations of demons and wicked men, and from all intolerable pains; from the tyranny imposed upon our heads, and from most grave temptations deliver us: and grant us that, with the adornment of good and blessed works, we may enter into your holy sanctuaries, and may gloriously rejoice in spiritual gifts, and simultaneously offer to you acceptable sacrifices, and unceasingly give thanks to you and your only-begotten Son.
People. Amen.
Priest, bowing. Remember, O Lord, this blessed congregation of those who worship you, who stand before you with fear and faith: and of those who ask for the prayers of our infirmity. Remember, O Lord, all generally, and each one individually, granting what may be helpful and necessary for them. Remember also those who act excellently, and who produce the fruits of your holy Church; and do not forget those who have offered oblations: and remember those who wished to offer and could not.
People. Lord, have mercy.
Priest, raising his voice. Receive, O Lord, the oblations, tithes, and first-fruits, and fruits of peace, of the sacrifices of your servants, into the odor of sweetness, and recompense and send to us, O good recompenser, the grace of gifts, and the amplitude of the gifts which pertain to our aid, and the abundance of eternal goods, making us and them rich in works of piety and justice: communing us with angelic guards, and through an immaculate and apostolic confession: because you are magnificent in gifts, and to you we render glory and thanksgiving, and to your only-begotten Son, and to your Holy Spirit.
People. Amen.
Priest, bowing. Remember, O Lord, the faithful Orthodox Kings, and pacify their empire, and grant them to govern those subject to them with equity.
People. Lord, have mercy.
Priest, raising his voice. Be a defender and savior, O Lord, to your holy Church, and to all the spiritual sheep of your pasture; and save us through your strength, to which nothing is impossible, from every bitter famine, pernicious mortality, from wars and tumults, from deadly persecutions, and in tranquility and peace govern us with care, in all the days of our life, because we have no other hope of attaining salvation, except in you, O Lord. Destroy also through your power, the power of those who stand against your empire, and subject each one to the servitude of your holy name: because you are the victor, and the only warrior, and to you we render glory and thanksgiving.
People. Amen.
A Sacerdos bowing. Remembering, we make memory before you, Lord, and to entreat you we bring forward, first indeed the holy Mother of God, Mary, and the precursor John the Baptist, Stephen the first of the Deacons, and proto-martyr, and the host of holy Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors and the rest, whose names are written in the book of life.
People. Kyrie eleison.
Sacerdos raising his voice. That you may receive the intercessions of those yours, quietly accepting them, and accept their prayers, acceptable to your piety. We also, jointly pouring out our imperfect prayer before you at the same time, ask and entreat that you do not turn your face from us, nor in anger be far from us; do not destroy us in your fury, but according to your benevolence possess us, and through the abundance of your goodness, spare us. Shine your face upon us, and upon all the people of your inheritance, because it pleases you to grant salvation, and yours is peace and salvation: and to you we offer glory and thanksgiving, and to your only-begotten Son.
People. Amen.
Sacerdos bowing. Remember also, Lord, the chosen Fathers and saints, Patriarchs, and those who were interpreters and ministers of the sacred mysteries of your holy Church: especially indeed Ignatius, Dionysius, Julius, Athanasius, Basil, Gregory, Dioscorus, Severus, and the rest of the Apostles and Pastors, who have migrated to you.
People. Kyrie eleison.
A Sacerdos raising his voice. Quietly and peacefully receive through your kindness, Lord, the souls and spirits of your servants and worshippers who have migrated from this present life to you: especially indeed those for whom and by whom this sacrifice has been offered and perfected. Remember them, grant them rest, and place them in the habitations of light, in the places of the blessed spirits, in the heavenly Jerusalem, in the Church of the firstborn enrolled in heaven, and granting them the most happy memory and rest, through your love for mankind, Lord, grant them life devoid of old age, goods that do not pass away, and delights that have no end. May they obtain pardon through your clemency: may they obtain rest through your mercy: may they be hidden under the wings of your grace, and may they not be condemned: because they have hoped in you, and in your only-begotten Son, through whom we also hope to obtain mercy, etc.
People. Grant rest.
Sacerdos bowing. Spare, Lord God, and forgive all our iniquities, and those of them, nor impute them, because no one living is justified in your sight, nor is any one pure from filth and stains of sin, except you, Lord. We beseech and entreat the inscrutable abyss of your clemency, that to us who are weak and prone to sin, you may grant pardon through your mercy, and do not abandon us into hands from which we might be snatched into pernicious error, which leads us to destruction. But grant that we may walk in your ways, and do your will, and find mercy, C a tranquil end, and confidence pleasing to you, and standing without confusion before the terrible throne of your only-begotten Son, that in this, as in all things, your name, very worthy of honor and blessed, may be glorified and praised, and at the same time that of our Lord Jesus Christ and your holy Spirit, now, etc.
People. As it is.
Sacerdos. Peace.
People. And with your spirit.
Sacerdos. The mercy of God, etc.
People. And with your spirit.
Deacon says the Catholic [prayer]. Sacerdos breaks and signs the Oblation.
Deacon. Angel.
Sacerdos says the Prayer before the Our Father.
For indeed and without doubt, you are the holy Father of the holy Son, who in holiness is equal with the holy Spirit, who perfectly and with supreme power rest in the saints, and perpetually receive the sanctifications of those who sanctify you. You are the fount of soundness, and the origin of aids, you are the parent of mercy, and the father of clemency, compassionate, patron, helper and assistant, having care for the poor, and the refuge of the afflicted, companion of the journey for those navigating, haven and rest for those tossed by the sea, refuge of sinners, good physician of the infirm: who love the tears of the penitent, the cleanser of filth, in those
who are defiled, O bestower of gifts, treasury of riches. You are from the beginning, from eternity, from the age and forever, holy, and full of holiness, the sanctifier and perfecter of the saints; and we offer unto you the glorification and the chanting of hymns which we have lovingly learned from your holy Son, your beloved Son. And we ask that you grant unto us all, that with a pure heart, yet ardently kindled by a praiseworthy zeal, by pouring out our prayers and supplications before you, with the illumination of our minds, the chastity of our souls, and the triumphant praise of our tongues, we may cry out to you, we pray and say, Our A Father who art in heaven. *People.* Hallowed be thy name. *Priest raising his voice.* Do not, O Lord, permit us to be tossed by worldly or diabolical vexations beyond what we can bear, lest we be entirely in infirmity, sickness, and contrition of heart, and become alienated from your domestic familiarity, if you do not have care of us. Do not be unmerciful, O Lord, nor turn your face away from us, nor make your help far off; but look upon us, and send your grace to our aid. From all crimes free us, and do not lead us into temptation, because yours is the power and the eternal empire, and to you we render glory and thanksgiving. *People.* Amen. *Priest.* Peace. *Deacon.* Before the reception of these holy mysteries which have been offered, let us again bow our heads before the merciful Lord. *People.* Before you, O Lord. *Priest raising his voice.* With every nature and creature of those in heaven and on earth, which adores you, O Lord, as we conceive with our mind, we also offer to you true adoration with the bowing of our neck; and we ask from your supreme charity that you illuminate our souls with your truth. Cleanse us with your hyssop: sanctify us with your holiness: turn us to your fear. May it please you to send to us your blessings, and in this manner and with such goods enriching us, do not permit that we should approach guiltily to this life-giving communion of the body and blood of your only-begotten Son, through whom and with whom D to you is glory and empire with your holy Spirit. *People.* Amen. *Priest.* Peace. *People.* And with your spirit. *Priest.* May there be a blessing, etc. *People.* And with, etc. *Deacon.* With fear. *Priest.* Holy things to the holy. *People.* One holy Father. *Deacon.* Let us stand decently. *People.* We give thanks. *Priest.* Justly and according to truth, and most reasonably, all incessant praises, hymns, and triumphant exultations are due to your magnificence, because you have made us worthy through your clemency of this good and heavenly gift, of this incorruptible food; and we ask your ineffable love towards mankind, that you do not turn our feasts into mourning, nor our songs into wailing, nor cast down our heads before judgment; nor let us be ashamed on the last day, in which each one shall receive his fitting reward; when the Angels shall stand in fear, and your only-begotten Son shall judge. But just as you have shown yourself most merciful towards us, spare our pusillanimity, have mercy on the infirmity of our nature, not counting this your gift to us for judgment or condemnation, but for holiness, and for the vigilance and viaticum of our salvation. And to you is due glory, honor, and empire, and likewise to your only-begotten Son and your most holy Spirit. *People.* Amen. *Priest.* Peace. *People.* And with your spirit. *Deacon.* After, etc. *People.* Before you. *Priest raising his voice.* To you who were begotten from eternity, from eternal light, and were incarnate without any mutation, from a virginal womb, we give thanks, and we ask that your right hand rest upon us all perpetually. Affix glory to the priests of your altar, and constitute those ministering to you in honor. Adorn the elderly with gentleness and help them; curb the impulses of the young; educate children in modesty, and lead them to the highest apex of knowledge. Heal, O Lord, the infirm; wash away the stains of sins; seal with your cross the virgins; guard the bed of those joined in wedlock; send satiety to the needy; be a curator of orphans, and a comforter of widows. Spare those who have received your body; and those who have drunk of your blood, perfectly purify. Bless those who have attained salvation through your cross; sanctify also the lambs of your flock; bring your sheep to your fold: confirm your lambs in your doctrines, visit each one in his rank and order, through your mercy. But we, O Lord, your servants, and those performing the priesthood for you, make worthy of the vision of you; lead us all to your habitation; make our minds firm in your love; may our eyes see your formidable majesty; may our mouths be filled with your sanctifications; may our lips, O Lord, proclaim your praises, and of your blessed and holy Father, and of your Spirit, living, holy, life-giving, and consubstantial with you. *People.* Amen. *Deacon.* Bless, O Lord. *Priest.* Bless all.