Sacral Languages Have Essential Liturgical Purpose

Thanks to John Sandinopolis for this news article.  Sacral languages have traditionally been as much a form of liturgical rite and ritual as any other element.  It could be argued that language is the foundational form, the essence of the work.  It seems to me that we have witnessed and will continue to witness a loss of the sacred due to a careless proliferation of liturgy in a multitude of untried and untrue vernaculars: untrue in the sense that they have not been tried and tested in the long ages of traditional liturgical meaning, and they can never be so tested because they are limiting in their lexicon rather than catholic or universal.  It is not all who serve the liturgy.  It is the liturgy that serves all.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Greek Synod Condemns Liturgy in Modern Greek

April 15, 2010
Ansamed
Athens, Greece

The Greek Orthodox Holy Synod has condemned the Liturgy in the modern language which is officiated in the diocese of Nicopolis, claiming that it puts "the Church's unity" at risk.

Bishop Meletio of Nicopolis, in the northern region of Epirus, a long time ago authorized the translation of the Liturgy from liturgical Greek (close to the ancient Greek language and once spoken by the upper classes) into modern or "popular" Greek. Because, as he justified his decision, "otherwise the faithful don't understand the Divine Liturgy".

But the Synod has ruled that translating the holy texts is forbidden; it is only allowed "as an exception and after the authorization" of the Church. In the absence of a joint version, according to the Orthodox leaders, a spontaneous and casual translation of the liturgy "could jeopardize the Church's unity".

The Synod has taken its decision despite the fact that Meletio seems to enjoy the support of his faithful and has obtained the official support of other bishops.

Sacral Languages Have Essential Liturgical Purpose