Traditional Lectionary

[everbecoming2007]

As I have compared the Eucharistic lectionary as found in my American 1928 BCP to the old one year Roman rite lectionary I've found similarities in the readings and collects. Are the traditional Anglican one year lectionaries very similar to the old sarum lectionary? What about those in use by the Orthodox?

 

[Shane R]

Most of the readings from the American one year are taken from the Gregorian sacramentary. Sarum use was not a significant departure from that rite. If you acquire one of the several prayer book commentaries made for the '28, they usually detail where the reading was pulled from.

The Collects are a bit different. Cranmer created some of them and later bishops of note such as Jeremy Taylor wrote some that were adopted in the American BCP.

 

[everbecoming2007]

Most of the readings from the American one year are taken from the Gregorian sacramentary. Sarum use was not a significant departure from that rite. If you acquire one of the several prayer book commentaries made for the '28, they usually detail where the reading was pulled from.

The Collects are a bit different. Cranmer created some of them and later bishops of note such as Jeremy Taylor wrote some that were adopted in the American BCP.

Would those commentaries on the prayer book have any information regarding the logic and principles informing the Daily Office Lectionary from 1945? This is the lectionary I have reverted to.

 

[Symphorian]

The arrangement of the Epistles and Gospels in the Prayer Book is nearly the same as the Sarum Missal. As such, the Christian Year is marked by two main divisions:

1) From Advent to Trinity during which we commemorate the main events of Our Lord's life on earth from His Incarnation to His Ascension, together with the coming of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost. The object of the Epistles and Gospels during this time is to remind us of the benefit which we receive from God the Father through the mediation and atonement of God the Son, and through the ministration of the Holy Ghost.
2) From Trinity to Advent the Epistles and Gospels contain lessons on practical life set forth in the light of Christ's example.

The Collects, apart from those for Saints Days are taken from the Sarum Missal which in turn came from ancient Sacramentaries of the 5th and 6th centuries. (Sacramentaries of Leo, Gelasius and Gregory the Great.)

 

[Naomi4Christ]

Welcome to STR, Symphorian

 

[Shane R]

Would those commentaries on the prayer book have any information regarding the logic and principles informing the Daily Office Lectionary from 1945? This is the lectionary I have reverted to.

The commentaries primarily focus on the Sunday Propers.

The main division between the first and second lectionary for the '28 BCP is one of reading progressively, or reading according to the liturgical season. The first lectionary was more synchronized to the liturgical season, the second was more interested in maintaining a sequence of continuous readings. To make sure we are discussing the same terms: the second lectionary was issued for trial beginning in 1943. Abp. Gordon gifted me an antique BCP with the first lectionary when he tonsured me, so I have both readily at hand.

 

[everbecoming2007]

The commentaries primarily focus on the Sunday Propers.

The main division between the first and second lectionary for the '28 BCP is one of reading progressively, or reading according to the liturgical season. The first lectionary was more synchronized to the liturgical season, the second was more interested in maintaining a sequence of continuous readings. To make sure we are discussing the same terms: the second lectionary was issued for trial beginning in 1943. Abp. Gordon gifted me an antique BCP with the first lectionary when he tonsured me, so I have both readily at hand.

Now I am unsure which lectionary I have in my prayer book. How can I tell?

 

[Shane R]

The printing date of the BCP. If it is after 1943, it will contain the new lectionary.

The antique his Excellency gifted me is a 1940 printing. There have been times that I was prepping a service of Morning Prayer and ran into a conflict. I keep the antique at my desk and a newer printing in my car. I've got a "standard text" .pdf downloaded on my computer which is the second lectionary. Of course, most (sometimes all) of the congregation would never know the difference and would passively listen to whatever it was I read.

 

[seeking.IAM]

...Of course, most (sometimes all) of the congregation would never know the difference and would passively listen to whatever it was I read.

Agreed. Issues like this give our theologians something to ponder, think important thoughts about, and expound upon. We pew-warmers mostly try to pay attention as best we can while wondering if they'll be done covering the text in time for us to beat the Methodists to the restaurant.

 

[everbecoming2007]

The commentaries primarily focus on the Sunday Propers.

The main division between the first and second lectionary for the '28 BCP is one of reading progressively, or reading according to the liturgical season. The first lectionary was more synchronized to the liturgical season, the second was more interested in maintaining a sequence of continuous readings. To make sure we are discussing the same terms: the second lectionary was issued for trial beginning in 1943. Abp. Gordon gifted me an antique BCP with the first lectionary when he tonsured me, so I have both readily at hand.

The 1943 lectionary -- which I now realize I have -- does seem to follow readings sequentially, but it does seem to be synchronized with the liturgical year to some extent. Is this the case?

 

[Shane R]

Yes, but not to the same extent of the older lectionary. The first '28 lectionary was criticized for being loaded with favorite devotional readings, at least according to scholars like Shepherd. Unfortunately, the trend of the 20th century seems to always have been to shorten the readings. Thus, I prefer the first lectionary if one is going to use the BCP lectionary.

 

[everbecoming2007]

Yes, but not to the same extent of the older lectionary. The first '28 lectionary was criticized for being loaded with favorite devotional readings, at least according to scholars like Shepherd. Unfortunately, the trend of the 20th century seems to always have been to shorten the readings. Thus, I prefer the first lectionary if one is going to use the BCP lectionary.

Thankfully the readings can be lengthened which I may do through Advent, but I don't worry about that much as I read straight through the Bible anyway.