The Syrian Catholic Patriarchate of Antioch (2)

The Syrian (or Syriac) liturgy comes from Jerusalem; it is related to St. James the Lesser, the Apostle who was the first Bishop of Jerusalem. The liturgical language is Syriac, closely related to Aramaic, the very language of Christ. But in general, the readings and prayers said aloud are recited or sung in the language of the people (Arabic, Turkish, or Kurdish).

The sacred vessels used during Mass are the same as those used in the Latin Rite, to which must be added two metal covers for the paten and the Chalice, an asterisk (metal support with two curved and crossed strips, which make four feet) and a spoon for the priest’s Communion.

On the other hand, the priestly vestments are different:

1. The cassock has very loose sleeves.
2. The priest wears a cope for the entire Mass.
3. The upper portion of the amice is made of the same fabric as the vestments. Thus, when he later refolds the amice, the upper part with the vestment fabric will show above the cope.
4. The priest wears two maniples in the form of sleeves on his forearms.
5. The stole is worn at the neck, but has only one large panel instead of two.

The Host is a fermented bread a half centimeter thick, marked with 13 crosses, in remembrance of Our Lord and his 12 Apostles during the Last Supper.

The Hosts intended for the faithful are dipped in the precious Blood during the Mass or during the distribution. Communion is thus given under both Species.

Here are some special rites of the Mass:

1. There are two Offertories which take place at the beginning of Mass.

During the first, called the “Oblation of Melchizedek,” the priest, vested only in the cassock, offers at the altar the Host held in his hands, saying, among other things: “Like a sheep, He was led to the slaughter; and, like a silent lamb before the shearer, He opens not His mouth.”

To proceed to the second Offertory, called the “Holocaust of Aaron,” the priest first recites a long preparatory prayer, then puts on the vestments of the Mass. Then, returning to the altar, he takes the paten in his right hand and the Chalice in his left; and crossing his forearms, he recites the second prayer of the Offertory, in commemoration of Christ, the Blessed Virgin, and the saints, without forgetting the dead.

2. The Offertories and the readings completed, the Mass of the Faithful then begins with a solemn introductory prayer and continues with the blessing of the chains of the censer. This is the most demonstrative glorification of the sovereign Trinity. Here is how it is accomplished:
3. After the Consecration, the priest raises to his lips his hands, which he has just placed over the Holy Offerings and prays for the hierarchy of the Church and for all the needs of humankind.
4. Invoking the Holy Ghost (Epiclesis) to rest upon the Holy Species, the priest lightly swirls his fingers and his hands above the paten and the Chalice, to imitate the flight of the dove and symbolize the descent of the Holy Ghost.
5. The censer, having four chains, is brought to the right of the altar.
6. The priest, who approaches it, takes one chain and blesses it, saying: “God the Father is holy. Amen.”
7. He joins two others there, symbolizing the two natures of Christ, and blesses them, saying: “God the Son is holy. Amen.”
8. Finally joining the last chain to the others, he addresses the same praise to the Holy Ghost.