Anyone who checks in to this blog will notice a flurry of posts this week. I can't explain the why of it, but in the past when these moments arrive with reprieve from the atrophying of my brain and other neurological problems it has been a time of special graces from God to accomplish something He wants me to do. Sometimes I know what it is I need to do for Him, and other times I am clueless but nonetheless grateful. At this moment I can only pray to be of good use to God and ask of Him that this time of grace be fruitful for Him and His Church. I hope in these items I am posting that there may be something that blesses those who read and that all in all the Blessed Trinity is glorified, and Our Lady is honoured.
As a Roman Catholic of Anglican Heritage, I have had a keen interest in the Anglican diaspora, and in particular I have been very interested in what my "former Anglican" friends in the Orthodox Church are doing. Some are a part of the Antiochene Orthodox Christian Archdiocese under Metropolitan PHILIP, and others are in various dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. They have approached the question of a Western Rite in Orthodoxy from different but complimentary points of view. Of the two groups, the Western Rite Orthodox Vicariate of the Antiochians has produced a number of publications that are useful inside their community and some that are useful for everyone who loves the Anglican Heritage.
The Lancelot Andrewes Press in Colorado serves the Western Rite Vicariate (Antioch) with beautiful books: The St. Dunstan's Psalter, The Saint Ambrose Prayer Book (akin to The Saint Augustine's Prayer Book), reprints of Canon Douglas' great works The Monastic Diurnal, The Monastic Diurnal Noted. They also publish the Monastic Breviary Matins edition that corresponds in part to the Office of Readings in the current Roman Rite Liturgy of the hours.
But most impressive to me is their printing of The English Orthodox Communication's revision of The Book of Common Prayer for Orthodox Christians. It includes the Liturgy of St. Tikhon (the Anglican Liturgy corrected by St. Tikhon, approved by the Holy Synod of Moscow, and augmented and approved by the Antiochene Orthodox Patriarch). The cover is made of Vivella which is very durable. Also, the cover design is one of the most beautiful that I have seen.
There are also other books on offer such as John Mason Neale's Commentary on the Psalms and Lancelot Andrewes Preces Privatae in English translation by Neale and Cardinal Newman. Individually and collectively, these publications are impressive and a great enrichment for Western Rite Orthodoxy as well as the rest of us in the Anglican diaspora who have found safe haven elsewhere.
Matt from the blog Absolutely No Spin, with reference to the Monastic Matins of Lancelot Andrewes Press, summarises very well the ecumenical value of such editions:
Just to make the point clear, consider the publication of the Matins book:
- From a Catholic Breviary.
- Translated for use by Anglicans.
- Published by a Western Rite Orthodox publisher.
- Used lovingly by people of all three groups.
Laus Deo.+
