Editing Rite of Constantinople

{{Eastern Christianity}}  
The '''Byzantine Rite''', sometimes called the '''Rite of Constantinople''' or '''Constantinopolitan Rite''' is the [[liturgy|liturgical rite]] used currently (in various languages, with various [[Catholic Liturgical Rites|uses]]) by all the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]es, by the Greek Catholic Churches ([[Eastern Catholic Churches]] which use the Byzantine Rite), and by the [[Protestantism|Protestant]] [[Ukrainian Lutheran Church]]. The rite developed in the city of [[Constantinople]] (now Istanbul). It is the second largest liturgical rite in [[Christendom]], second in worldwide usage only to the [[Roman Rite]].

The Rite consists of the [[Divine Liturgy|Divine Liturgies]], [[Canonical Hours]], forms for the administration of [[Sacred Mysteries]] (sacraments) and the numerous [[prayer]]s, [[Blessing (Roman Catholic Church)|blessing]]s, and [[exorcism]]s, developed in the Church of Constantinople.  Also involved are the specifics of [[architecture]], [[icon]]s, [[liturgical music]], [[vestments]] and [[Sacred Tradition|traditions]] which have evolved over the centuries in the practice of this Rite.

Traditionally, the congregation stands throughout the whole service, and an [[iconostasis]] separates the sanctuary from the rest of the church. The faithful are very active in their worship, making frequent [[poklon|bows and prostrations]], and feeling free to move about the [[temple]] (church building) during the services.

Scripture plays a large role in Byzantine worship, with not only daily readings but also many quotes from the Bible throughout the services.  The entire [[Psalter]] is chanted each week, and twice weekly during [[Great Lent]].

Fasting laws are stricter than in the West. On fast days, the faithful give up not only meat, but also dairy products, and on many fast days they also give up fish, wine and the use of oil in cooking.  The Rite of Constantinople observes four fasting seasons: [[Great Lent]], [[Nativity Fast]], [[Apostles' Fast]] and [[Dormition Fast]]. In addition, most Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year are fast days. Many [[monastery|monasteries]] also observe Monday as a fast day.

==History==
There are two ancient liturgical traditions from which all of the [[Eastern Rite (disambiguation)|Eastern Rite]]s (plus the [[Gallican Rite]] in the West) developed: the [[Alexandrian Rite]] in Egypt and the [[Antiochene Rite]] in Syria.  These two Rites developed directly from practices of the [[Early Church]].  Of these two traditions, the Rite of Constantinople developed from the Antiochene Rite.  Prior to the [[Episcopal see|see]] of [[Constantinople]]'s elevation to the dignity of [[Patriarch]] by the [[Second Ecumenical Council]] in 381, the primary jurisdiction in Asia Minor was the [[Patriarchate of Antioch]].  With the council's elevation of Constantinople to primacy in the East, with the words "''The Bishop of Constantinople ... shall have the prerogative of honour after the Bishop of Rome; because Constantinople is New Rome''",<sup>[]</sup> the Constantinoplitan Rite gradually came to be the standard usage in every place under its jurisdiction.

[[Image:Meister der Sophien-Kathedrale von Ohrid 001.jpg|thumb|200px|left|[[Fresco]] of [[Basil the Great]] in the [[cathedral]] of [[Ohrid]]. The saint is shown [[consecration|consecrating]] the [[Sacred Mysteries|Gifts]] during the [[Divine Liturgy]] which bears his name.]]

The tradition of the Church of Constantinople ascribes the oldest of its two main Divine Liturgies to St. [[Basil the Great]] (d. 379), [[Metropolitan bishop|Metropolitan]] of [[Kayseri|Cæsarea in Cappadocia]]. This tradition is confirmed by the witness of several ancient authors, some of whom were contemporaries.<sup>[]</sup><sup>[]</sup><sup>[]</sup> It is certain that St. Basil made a reformation of the Liturgy of his Church, and that the Byzantine service called after him represents his reformed Liturgy in its chief parts, although it has undergone further modification since his time.<sup>[]</sup>  St. Basil himself speaks on several occasions of the changes he made in the services of Cæsarea.<sup>[]</sup><sup>[]</sup> and other contemporary witnesses attest his arrangement of the services. Basil had as his goal the streamlining of the services to make them more cohesive and attractive to the faithful. He also worked to reform the clergy and improve the moral life of Christians. He shortened the services and wrote a number of new prayers. The most important work attributed to him is the [[Divine Liturgy of St. Basil]]. He took as his basis the [[Liturgy of St. James]] as it was celerated at his time in the region of Cappadocia, as well as some liturgical elements recorded in the [[Apostolic Constitutions]].<ref name="CathEn"/>  Over time, the Liturgy of Saint Basil gained wide usage in Asia Minor and [[Syria]]. [[Peter the Deacon]] mentions that Basil's Liturgy was "used by nearly the whole East"; <ref name="CathEn"/> however, the [[Coptic church|Coptic rite]] uses another Liturgy which is also attributed to Saint Basil, <sup>[]</sup> so Peter the Deacon's reference may not be to the Liturgy of St. Basil used in the Byzantine Rite.

Saint Basil's liturgical work was continued by [[John Chrysostom]] (died c. 407), [[Patriarch of Constantinople]].  He wrote new (and shorter) prayers for the Divine Liturgy, as well as other prayers. The [[Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom]] is the most common form of the Liturgy used in the Constantinopolitan Rite, and his [[Catechetical Homily]] is an important part of the Byzantine [[Paschal Vigil]].

Further developments continued to occur, centered mostly around Constantinople and [[Mount Athos]].  Monasticism played an important role in the development of the rituals.  In Constantinople, the work of the [[monastery]] of the [[Studion]] greatly enriched the liturgical traditions, especially with regard to the [[Great Lent|Lenten]] observance.  [[Iconography]] continued to develop and a canon of traditional patterns evolved which still influences Eastern religious art to this day.

Two distinctive liturgical traditions developed: the "Cathedral Rite", strongly influenced by Byzantine court ritual and its interface with the liturgy at the Great Church of [[Hagia Sophia]] in Constantinople, and the "Monastic Rite" developed in the great monasteries of the East.  Eventually these distinct traditions merged and coalesced into the services as they are observed today.

Historical events have also influenced the development of the liturgy.  The great [[Christology|Christological]] and [[Trinity|Trinitarian]] controversies of [[Late Antiquity]] are reflected in the glorifications of the Trinity heard in the numerous [[ekphonesis|ekphonies]] encountered during the services.  In response to [[Nestorius]]' attack on giving the title of ''[[Theotokos]]'' to the [[Virgin Mary]], the Byzantines increased the use of the term in the liturgy, and now almost every string of hymns ends with one in her honour, called a [[Theotokion]].

It must be borne in mind that neither the Liturgies of Basil nor John Chrysostom as they are known today reflect exactly the services celebrated in their day. All liturgical rites change and develop over time. As new [[saint]]s are [[canonization|glorified]] (canonized), new hymns are composed; as new needs arise, new prayers are written.  The Rite also profits from the fact that the Christian East is not so centralized in [[ecclesiastical polity]] as the West. This allows for greater diversity, and as members of one church visit another, a natural cross-pollination occurs with resultant enrichment on all sides.  In spite of its great emphasis on tradition, the Byzantine Rite comprises a constantly growing and expanding ritual, with room for local practice.

==Divine Liturgy==

See Also [[Divine Liturgy]]

This tradition has several forms of the [[Divine Liturgy]] (celebration of the [[Eucharist]]), three of which are in use everywhere that the Byzantine Rite is used: the Liturgy of St. [[Basil the Great]], the Liturgy of St. [[John Chrysostom]], and the Liturgy of the [[Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts|Presanctified]].

*The [[Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom|Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom]] is the one most commonly celebrated throughout the year.
*The [[Liturgy of St. Basil]] is celebrated ten times a year: on the five Sundays in [[Great Lent]], with Vespers on [[Holy Thursday]] and [[Holy Saturday]], on the Eves with Vespers (or Feasts themselves, at the normal time, depending on the day of the week) of [[Christmas]] and [[Theophany]], and on January 1, which is the [[feast day]] of St. Basil. (For those churches which follow the traditional [[Julian Calendar]], January 1 falls on January 14 of the modern [[Gregorian Calendar]].)
*The [[Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts]] (which has no [[Consecration]] of the Gifts but distributes [[Holy Communion|the Holy Mysteries]] from a [[Reserved Sacrament|Lamb sanctified in advance]], always as a [[Vespers]] (Liturgies on fast days always being served in conjunction with the office of vespers) is celebrated only on certain weekdays of [[Great Lent]]: on Wednesdays, Fridays and any of the more important [[feast days]] which may occur (however, if the [[Great Feast]] of the [[Annunciation]] occurs on a weekday of Great Lent, the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is celebrated). It is also served on the first three days of [[Holy Week]].

The Divine Liturgy is normally not celebrated daily except in [[cathedral]]s and larger monasteries.  However, most parishes and smaller monasteries serve the Liturgy on Saturdays, Sundays, and major feast days throughout the year.

The Divine Liturgy is celebrated with particular solemnity whenever a [[bishop]] is serving. Though other services are also affected by the presence of a bishop, none more so than the Liturgy.

==Daily Office==

See Also [[Canonical Hours]]
The daily chanting of the Canonical Hours has developed over the centuries into an intricate pattern of worship drawing on influences from the [[Temple in Jerusalem]], classical [[poetry]], [[Byzantine literature|Byzantine hymnography]], monastic spirituality, and imperial court ritual.  Numerous cycles combine and make use of a vast array of liturgical texts making the Byzantine Rite one of the richest liturgical traditions in Christianity (for more detail, see [[Canonical Hours#Eastern Orthodox and Greek-Catholic usage|Canonical Hours: Eastern Orthodox and Greek-Catholic usage]]).

The daily cycle of services consists of the following:
*[[Vespers]] (chanted at sunset, which is when the liturgical day begins, following the ancient Jewish tradition)
*[[Compline]] (the last prayer before sleep)
*[[Midnight Office]] (a monastic office which is chanted in the middle of the night, or early in the morning)
*[[Matins]] (the morning office—and the longest of the day—which traditionally ends as the sun is rising)
*[[First Hour]] (chanted at the rising of the sun)
*[[Third Hour]] (chanted at the third hour of the day—approximately 9:00 am)
*[[Sixth Hour]] (chanted at noon)
*[[Ninth Hour]] (chanted at the ninth hour of the day—approximately 3:00 pm)

The Divine Liturgy is not ennumerated among these services of the daily cycle because the Liturgy is considered to exist outside of time.

On the [[Great Feasts]] of the [[liturgical year]] as well as on certain [[feast days]] (and in the Slavic tradition, on every Saturday night) there is a particularly solemn service called the [[All-Night Vigil]] which combines Vespers, Matins and First Hour with special additions into a single long service.

All of these services are considered communal prayer, and there are in addition Morning Prayers and Evening Prayers, as well as numerous devotional services, such as [[Akathist]]s, [[Canon (hymnography)|Canons]], [[Moleben]]s, [[Panikhida]]s, etc. which are either prayed by the individual privately or are served on behalf of an individual or group rather than the entire local church.  The most important of the private prayers is the [[Jesus Prayer]] ([[Prayer of the Heart]]) and the entire [[Hesychasm|Hesychastic]] tradition that has grown up around it.

==Sacraments and other services performed as needed==


==Calendar==
See Also [[Orthodox liturgical calendar]]

The fixed portion of the [[Eastern Orthodox Church liturgical calendar|liturgical year]] begins on September 1. There is also a moveable [[Paschal cycle]] which is fixed according to the date of [[Easter|Pascha]] (Easter), by far the most important day of the entire year. The interplay of these two cycles, plus other lesser cycles influences the manner in which the services are celebrated on a day to day level throughout the entire year.

Traditionally, the Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic churches used the [[Julian Calendar]] to calculate their feast days. Beginning in 1924 the [[Patriarchate of Constantinople]] made an adjustment to their liturgical year to bring the fixed cycle in conformity to the modern [[Gregorian Calendar]]. The Paschal cycle, however, continued to be calculated according to the Julian Calendar. This composite calendar is known as the [[Revised Julian Calendar]].  Constantinople's example was followed by the [[Church of Greece]] as well as a number of other [[autocephalous]] churches. Today, some churches continue to follow the Julian Calendar while others follow the Revised Julian Calendar. Only the [[Orthodox Church of Finland]] has adopted the Western calculation of the date of Pascha (see [[computus]]); all other Orthodox Churches, and a number of Eastern Catholic Churches, celebrate Pascha at the same time, according to the ancient rules.

==List of Churches of Byzantine liturgical tradition==
===Eastern Orthodox Churches===
[[Image:Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church 071215.jpg|thumb|[[Holy Trinity Cathedral, Chicago|Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral]], [[Chicago]].]]

:''Only [[autocephalous]] (self-heading) churches are listed; [[autonomous]] churches are considered under their mother churches.  Those churches which follow the Julian Calendar exclusively are marked with *, while those that partially use the Julian calendar are marked with (*).''
* [[Ecumenical Patriarchate]](*)
* [[Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria]]
* [[Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch]]
* [[Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem]]*
* [[Russian Orthodox Church]]*
* [[Serbian Orthodox Church]]*
* [[Romanian Orthodox Church]]
* [[Bulgarian Orthodox Church]]
* [[Georgian Orthodox Church]]*
* [[Cypriot Orthodox Church]]
* [[Church of Greece]]
* [[Albanian Orthodox Church]]
* [[Polish Orthodox Church]]
* [[Czech and Slovak Orthodox Church]]
* [[Orthodox Church in America]](*)

===Greek-Catholic Churches===
:''These [[Particular Church]]es are considered ''[[sui iuris]]'' churches (autonomous) in full communion with the [[Holy See]]''

* [[Albanian Greek-Catholic Church]]
* [[Belarusian Greek Catholic Church]]
* [[Bulgarian Greek Catholic Church]]
* [[Croatian Greek Catholic Church]]
* [[Greek Byzantine Catholic Church]]*
* [[Melkite Greek Catholic Church]]
* [[Hungarian Greek Catholic Church]]
* [[Italo-Albanian Catholic Church]]
* [[Macedonian Greek Catholic Church]]
* [[Romanian Church United with Rome, Greek-Catholic]]
* [[Russian Catholic Church]]*
* [[Ruthenian Catholic Church]]
* [[Slovak Greek Catholic Church]]
* [[Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church]](*)

Note: [[Georgian Byzantine-Rite Catholics]] are not recognized as a [[particular Church]] (cf. [http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG1199/_PR.HTM canon 27] of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches).

===[[Byzantine Rite Lutheranism]]===
* [[Ukrainian Lutheran Church]]<sup>[]</sup> (which uses iturgical formulae from the Byzantine Rite form the base text for the Order of Service in the Ukrainian Evangelical Service Book.<sup>[]</sup>)

==Notes==

==Books==
* Robert F. Taft, ''The Byzantine Rite. A Short History.'' Liturgical  Press, Collegeville 1992, ISBN 0-8146-2163-5
* Hugh Wybrew, ''The Orthodox Liturgy. The Development of the Eucharistic Liturgy in the Byzantine Rite'', SPCK,  London 1989, ISBN 0-281-04416-3
* Hans-Joachim Schulz, ''Die byzantinische Liturgie : Glaubenszeugnis und Symbolgestalt'',  3., völlig überarb. und aktualisierte Aufl. Paulinus,  Trier  2000, ISBN 3-7902-1405-1
* Robert A. Taft, ''A History of the Liturgy of St John Chrysostom'', Pontificio Istituto Orientale, Roma 1978-2008 (6 volumes).

==See also==
Other Eastern liturgical rites:
*[[Alexandrian Rite]]
*[[Antiochene Rite]]
*[[Armenian Rite]]
*[[East Syrian Rite]]
*[[West Syrian Rite]]

==External links==
* [http://www.byzcath.org/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/download/Number/1617/filename/Study-Liturgicon-Chrysostom.pdf Study Text of the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom]
* [http://www.byzcath.org/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/download/Number/1618/filename/Study-Liturgicon-Basil.pdf Study Text of the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great]
* [http://www.stanthonysmonastery.org/music/Index.html The Divine Music Project] Thousands of pages of Byzantine music in English for Byzantine rite services
* Fr. Ronald Roberson's book [http://www.cnewa.org/ecc-bodypg-us.aspx?eccpageID=22&IndexView=toc '''The Eastern Christian Churches – A Brief Survey'''] is the most up-to-date primer on these churches, available on-line at [http://www.cnewa.org ''Catholic Near-East Welfare Association''] (CNEWA).
* [http://www.gcatholic.com/dioceses/dioc-rite.htm Rites of the Catholic Church] Giga-catholic Website
* [http://www.jemi.it Byzantine rite in Italy] The tradition of the Italo-Greek-Albanian Church
* [http://unici.pl/content/view/66.html The Byzantine-Slavic Rite]

{{Donate}}

[[Category:Eastern Catholicism]]
[[Category:Eastern Orthodoxy]]
[[Category:Catholic Liturgical Rites]]
[[Category:Medieval Greek language]]
[[Category:Christian terms]]
[[Category:Chalcedonianism]]