Commentary on the Liturgy of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch (Publications of the Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church)

The exposition of the Liturgy of St. James, which is basically the Celebration of the Holy Eucahrist, is most significant for the understanding of the mystery of the God in offering His only Son a vicarious sacrifice for the redemption of man. The purpose of the liturgy is to show the believer the right path and leads him by faith to salvation and eternal life through the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ represented in the form of Bread and Wine. To make it understandable, Rev. Saka explains not only the meaning of terms connected with the liturgy but of all the components of the vessels, the vesting, the censoring, the candles and the propitiatory prayers associated with them. This exposition should benefit both church and liturgical scholars and lay people interested in the profound spiritual meaning of their faith. Table of Contents Translator’s Introduction Sources Part One: On the Liturgy Chapter One: The Names of the Liturgy Chapter Two: On the Origin of the Mass (Eucharist) Chapter Three: The Substance of the Eucharist Chapter Four: On the Fundamental Constituent of the Mass (Eucharist) Chapter Five: On the Celebrants of the Eucharist Chapter Six: On the Special Days and Times of Administering the Communion Chapter Seven: On the Order of Prayers and of Attending the Mass Chapter Eight: the Communion Part Two: On the Church and Its Contents Chapter One: On How Churches are Built and What They Contain Chapter Two: On the Table of Offering Chapter Three: On the Tablitho Chapter Four: On the Vessels of the Table of Offering Chapter Five: The Priests’ Vestments Chapter Six: The Censer and Censing Chapter Seven: On Using Lights in the Church Part Three: On the Order of the Holy Eucharist About the Translator

The exposition of the Liturgy of St. James, which is basically the Celebration of the Holy Eucahrist, is most significant for the understanding of the mystery of God in offering His only Son a vicarious sacrifice for the redemption of man. To make it understandable, Rev. Saka explains not only the meaning of terms connected with the liturgy but of all the components of the vessels, the vesting, the censoring, the candles and the propitiatory prayers associated with them. This exposition should benefit both church and liturgical scholars and lay people interested in the profound spiritual meaning of their faith.