The venerable Clergy and People of this Holy Exarchate under the protection of the Lord’s Apostles.
CHRISTVS RESSUREXIT!
It is with immense Joy in the Risen Saviour who is the glorious Bishop of his Church, that on this day commemorating our sister amongst the women disciples St. Photini (Illuminata) the Samaritan woman, I announce amongst the Divine Services of the Church in this Year of our Lord and Paschal Season of 2020AD that we approve and ratify:
+ The Divine Liturgy of Sts. Linus, and Cletus and all the Holy of Elder Rome.
When the Faith was proclaimed to the people of Rome – remembering that amongst the gentiles there were also Jew’s whom at times did not see eye to eye; with this in mind let us recall the fact that the apostles steered the church away from Judaism (Acts:15) exclusively for such reasons yet without totally divorcing from main practices. Hence, the early liturgies which comprised of teaching and prayer – the paschal meal becoming the anaphora of the apostles was at the heart of the mystery of worship!
Thus, remembering that prayers were very short as the Lord exhorted: “Be not like the pagans that carry on with long winded prayers!” (Mt 6:7) yet, praise should be rendered within the heart of the soul; the place where Emmanuel comes to dwell in the midst of our very persona fashioned by the Holy Spirit as this sanctuary of presence and altar of sacrifice. The reason why prayers became longer and longer in our Christian tradition was for the very fact that it became a discussion with God; that through the written word describing his awesomeness – we may be made aware of the true faith (Catechesis) and become a living testament to his gospel in the world!
Therefore, rediscovering the ancient rites of the Church which were annihilated and absorbed into otherness (majority ecclesial power play) – we desire to reinstate and re-create that which is fitting especially in our diasporal setting…..after all, each church although having a common liturgy (succession) with its Mother Church; fashioned a liturgy accustomed to their setting which was part of canonical evolution.
We do not and will not have a repetition of the current situation in Rome (Vatican ii) due to non apostolics (protestant reformers) hijacking liturgical formation. Rather, we offer a most contemplative liturgical practice that the Holy Spirit inspires his apostles (bishops) to fashion for the good estate of his Church in their/our care. In addition, there is great confusion over St. Gregory the Dialogist (590-604AD) who is also known as the Great and on the other hand: Pope Gregory xiii (1572-1585AD) who changed the calendar in 1587AD adding reforms to the liturgy. Therefore, we subscribe to the Dialogist who kept with the traditions of the Church (however minor and within his rights to compose small changes and a solemn liturgy during lent)…
Thus, although Gregorian chant is attributed to Gregory and we use a little of its flavour, BUT we do not subscribe to the later addition of a Gregorian rite which evolved towards the Great Schism (1054AD)! Hence, we sing the Sanctus, we have a scriptural version of the Agnus Dei in order to be remote from the current roman form, yet we have no Gloria for it was never part of the Liturgy but reserved for the Office of Matins and Lauds; the only time it exists in the Divine Liturgy if it is offered (the Divine Liturgy) in conjunction with these offices!
In conclusion, by the Grace of the Father Pantocrator revealed in Jesus his Son whom the Spirit of his presence and sanctity dwells in his Church; we offer the Liturgy consecrated to Linus and Cletus from the see of Elder Rome whom our Church descends from! We are not Jews, nor Greeks, but Roman and in being thus have our apostolicity of succession from the Church present in Elder Greece, Russia, Romania and Elder Kiev – we are enriched via the rites of these branches of the Vine. Thus, we have been reinstated via restoration of the Orthodox episcopate of Elder Rome (Metropolitan Antonio de Rosso+) like that of Elder Greece with the aid of Elder Russia. Hence, we live in Christ the vine, grow, bloom and produce sanctified fruit; such is the gift of creativeness steeped in Holy Tradition: the offering of the Elder Roman Liturgy!
Hence, as the Church in formative years developed under the leadership of the Apostolic Fathers – each territory had the grace of autonomy in the cultivation of culture within the context of worship. As we know only too well, when the Church became instituted according to worldly empires with the reaping of the benefits thereof; the local churches were crippled and became slaves of the empire (Christian and Non) and forced to conform to the prevailing rites, customs and indignities of the mighty who replaced the Lord and became lords!
Thus, as the Church of Apostolic times was a suffering Church, who were exposed to ridicule, crippling, and isolation; we too who via Holy Succession from Orthodox Rome are in truth the thorn in the side of those who consider themselves all that is Church in their limited understanding and endurance. Therefore, we stand with Peter, Paul, Linus, Cletus, and Clement and the Church Universal – the significance of being KATHOLIC in our faith and ORTHODOX in canonicity; like the mustard seed which is the smallest – the Lord will enable us to grow in being fruitful branches that live in him who is the vine!
This Holy Exarchate consecrated to the Holy Apostles of Christ our Bishop thus herby preserve and bring back to liturgical service all the Rites and Customs that the Faith of our Father’s used which were violently suppressed and tarnished!
Therefore, as ARCHBISHOP and EXARCH of the Orthodox Church present in Australia within the Elder Tradition under the protection of the Holy Apostles of Christ our Bishop, I reiterate my pleasure, support and approval for all clergy to implement this blessed rite within their communities to compliment and enrich the spirituality of the people in their care and the spirituality of those who come and join them for prayer on this very day!
With sincere thanks and deepest appreciation in IESUS KRISTOS our Bishop,
+Raffaele msb
Archbishop and Exarch of Australia and all Oceania
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