Reviewed Book: Bradshaw, Paul F. Ordination rites of the ancient churches of East and West. New York: Pueblo Pub, 1990

Nevile, Donald C.

English

Scholars Commons

Ordination rites of the ancient churches of East and West

Wilfrid Laurier University

ConsensusVolume 23Issue 1 Essays in the History of Interpretation Article 215-1-1997Ordination rites of the ancient churches of East andWestDonald C. NevileFollow this and additional works at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensusThis Book Reviews is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Consensus by anauthorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.Recommended CitationNevile, Donald C. (1997) "Ordination rites of the ancient churches of East and West," Consensus: Vol. 23 : Iss. 1 , Article 21.Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol23/iss1/21100 Consensusintent to please and praise God, to inspire a sense of mission, and to buildcommunity among believers. Though brief and concise, the book’s six chap-ters provide a thorough discussion of their respective topics—context, archi-tecture, music. Word and ritual—and how these various dynamics combineto enhance or inhibit the promised benefits of corporate worship.I especially appreciated the emphasis on the Jewish roots of Christianworship, and how these are reflected in the New Testament. In addition,the book’s strong mission orientation is reinforced in the questions providedfor group discussion at the end of each chapter—perhaps the book’s mostvaluable feature. For example, in the final chapter Professor Noren suggests,“Strictly speaking, the word liturgy denotes the Eucharist; some traditionsuse the word as a synonym for Holy Communion” (p. 85). I am intriguedby the discussions this might generate in congregations where ‘liturgy’ is afamiliar word, though not yet connected with a weekly celebration of theLord’s Supper.The book’s stated purpose—to “achieve a better understanding of. ..worship” and to help laypersons “evaluate and plan what happens on Sun-day morning” (p. 11)—is more than met, and I am particularly encouragedby the potential for ecumenical understanding that may be fostered as thebook is read and shared according to its design.Peter LisinskiFaith Evangelical Lutheran ChurchFergus, OntarioOrdination Rites of the Ancient Churches of East andWestPaul BradshawNew York: Pueblo Publishing Company, 1992$24.50Noted British liturgical scholar Paul Bradshaw has here written a bookwhich evinces his interest and authority in the area of liturgical history,and which is the most significant contribution to the field of ordinationstudies since H. B. Porter’s 1967 monograph. The Ordination Prayers ofthe Ancient Western Churches (SPCK/Alcuin). However, Bradshaw takesus beyond this earlier work, by venturing into the murky waters of theEastern rites.The book has two parts. In the first, Bradshaw gives historical back-ground on the various rites, their sources and structures, and then walksus through the shape surrounding the various rites for bishops, presbyters,deacons, deaconesses, and other minor orders.In the second part, Bradshaw provides translations of the variousprayers, which he divides into three categories: patristic texts, easternBook Reviews 101texts, and western texts. Perhaps in recognition of the earlier work doneby Porter, Bradshaw gives the greatest space to the patristic sources (-Hip-polytus’ “Apostolic Tradition”, the Canons of Hippolytus, the ApostolicConstitutions, Testamentum Domini, and the Sacramentary of Serapion),and eastern texts (Armenian, Byzantine, Coptic, East Syrian, Georgian, Ja-cobite, Maronite, and Melkite), while providing only five western sources;Roman, Gallican, Mozarabic, the English Leofric Missal, and the Sacra-mentary of Angouleme.For each of the orders, Bradshaw in his commentary provides insightinto the context of the rite, the presence of other clergy and their roles, theactual use of the prayers of ordination, and the function of other gesturessuch as the imposition of hands, and the concluding ceremonies.Two interesting issues arise from Bradshaw’s commentary. First, aswith so many others who write about the patristic period, he reveals hissuspicions regarding the reliability of Hippolytus’ “Apostolic Tradition”on two fronts: its authorship by Hippolytus, and its Roman provenance.Secondly, he explores the issue of apostolic succession as implicit in theseprayers. He points out that the imposition of hands, according to Hippoly-tus, does not transmit grace through the ordinator to the ordinand, butrather implies a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit.The Sacramentary of Serapion (c. 350-450 c.e.) is the first documentto articulate clearly a doctrine of apostolic succession. Here, ordination islinked first to the Old Testament hierarchy, then to Christ, and finally tothe succession of apostles and bishops. This does not necessarily exclude adoctrine of succession from earlier documents, but does challenge the pointof view which sees this doctrine as explicit from earliest times. Furthermore,the doctrine is clearly linked in Serapion to the defense of the communityagainst heresy.The prayers themselves make interesting reading, especially in light ofcurrent discussion within various churches regarding the nature of ordina-tion and of ministerial responsibility. There is clear expectation in themthat those ordained must demonstrate a spotless, untarnished life, and thegift of the Holy Spirit within. Also, in virtually all prayers for diaconalordination, there is presentation of the symbols of cup and book^ a clearsign (in this reviewer’s opinion) that the diaconate is to be a ministry ofliturgical service.One gets from these prayers a sense of the importance for the earlychurch of the orderly transmission of ministry. This may reflect, as manybelieve, the ancient sense and love for hierarchy and orderly structure. But,given the turmoil that has always existed in church and society, it may justas well reflect the struggle against disorderly ministries within the church!Perhaps the chief disadvantage of a book like this is its necessary focuson the prayers themselves, to the exclusion of gesture and movement. Thisis a legitimate choice by the author. The words, however, disguise therich ritual ceremonial and drama which must have accompanied the spokenword. One would have appreciated some explication of the ceremonial.102 Consensuswhich is certainly provided in the various ordos. In the end, this is just asimportant as the prayers themselves.One other criticism: the format of commentary followed by prayers ina separate section is problematic. After a time, one tends to stop flippingback and forth, and simply reads the commentary and prayers separately.Donald C. NevileHighwood Lutheran ChurchCalgary, Alberta“Holy Week in the Parish,” American Essays inLiturgyDon A. NeumannEdited by Edward FoleyCollegeville, Minn.: The Liturgical Press, 199156 pp. $5.75This is another in a series of short monographs published by the Orderof St. Benedict in Collegeville, and designed to share the work of Amer-ican liturgical scholars on topics of interest to Roman Catholic parishes.Although narrowly focused on the Roman tradition, the series is also ofinterest to those of a liturgical bent outside the Roman communion.This essay is by Don Neumann, a parish priest from Pasadena, Texas.He reviews the ritual directions for Holy Week, and shares some of the his-tory of the rituals, as well as giving suggestions for their practical and pas-toral use. Although based on the Roman Holy Week celebrations, Luther-ans will And these similar to our own, and will discover here a worthyspiritual model for parish celebrations.The writer suggests that Holy Week be a time of retreat and spiritualdiscipline in which all members of the parish celebrate. “As we state in ourparish bulletin, ‘Except for death or serious illness, every parishioner shouldbe present for the liturgies of Holy Week’ ” (p. 11). For each of the liturgiesof Holy Week he provides four perspectives: Ritual Reflections, HistoricalConsiderations, Pastoral Possibilities, and Foundational Principles. Thustheology, history, and practise are fairly and adequately considered.Neumann begins with Palm Sunday: here he finds exultation and deso-lation, fulfilment and emptying at once. He then deals briefly with Monday,Tuesday, and Wednesday of Holy Week.Lutherans will find the liturgy for Holy Thursday to be the most dif-ferent from our own rite. The author outlines the Roman rites for thisday: the consecration of chrism, the reconciliation of penitents, and footwashing; but there is no stripping of altar and chancel. He offers excel-lent suggestions regarding use of the rite for the reconciliation of Christians

https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1612&amp;context=consensus

Ordination rites of the ancient churches of East and West

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Scholars Commons

Wilfrid Laurier University