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Oct 5, 2023

Liturgy of St. James

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We have manuscript evidence of a fourth century Liturgy of St. James, the oldest liturgy still in use among Eastern Orthodox churches. In 1054, there was a major schism separating the Eastern Orthodox Church from the Roman Catholic Church.  Let’s just say it’s a long story involving major theological and political differences. Eastern church tradition contends there are elements of St. James Liturgy that originates with James, the brother of Jesus and the disciple who wrote the epistle that bears his name.
Worship on any given Sunday in fourth century churches would have included elements of this two-part liturgy. The first part contained various Scripture readings, that was followed by a sermon. Catechumens were present, who were disciples in training. Their apprenticeship could last up to three years, culminating in their baptism and entrance into membership with a local body of believers. After the sermon, the presiding Deacon excused the catechumens for the second half of the liturgy. Committed believers engaged in intercessory prayer and exchanged the kiss of peace. Any discord among believers was addressed before the community observed the Lord’s Supper. Hmmm. I’m all for restoring this practice in our day. Communion served as the culminating act of worship. Elements of bread and wine were ceremoniously carried into the sanctuary, to the accompanied singing of the hymn “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.” The liturgy was unhurried, taking two or more hours but then, the stakes were high. Emperor Diocletian was on a rampage to extinguish this growing religious movement.

A prayer from this early church liturgy leads us in praise and confession:

Lord God, Father of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ,
your name is great,
your nature is wonderful,
your goodness is inexhaustible,
you are God and Master of all things,
and are blessed forever.
You sit between the cherubim,
and are glorified by the seraphim.
Before you stand thousands of thousands
and ten thousand times ten thousand,
the hosts of holy angels and archangels.
Sanctify our souls and bodies and spirits,
calm our fears,
cleanse our consciences,
and drive out every evil thought,
every selfish desire,
every pride, hypocrisy,
falsehood, deceit, anxiety,
covetousness, arrogance, laziness,
malice, anger, grudges,
blasphemy, deeds or thoughts
that are contrary to your holy will.
O Lord, since you love us all,
give us the strength to boldly call on you
in the freedom of Christ,
without condemnation,
with a pure heart and a contrite soul,
with undivided attention
and with sanctified lips,
as our holy God and Father in heaven.

Rev. Dr. Peter James served 42 years as the senior of Vienna Presbyterian Church in Vienna, VA — 21 years in the 20th century and 21 years in the 21st century. He retired in 2021 and now serves as Pastor-in-Residence at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Even as a pastor, prayer came slowly to Pete. Read Pete’s story.