The Liturgies of the Syriac Churches

Abstract

Syriac liturgy represents one of the links with Judeo-Christianity, which has come down to us in two traditions, East Syriac and West Syriac. East Syriac liturgy is comparatively less influenced by Hellenistic elements as it developed in the Syriac-speaking Mesopotamia. The latter is the result of a synthesis between the early Hellenistic liturgical traditions of Antioch and those of the early Syriac Christianity. The standard liturgy of the East Syrians, known under the names of Addai and Mari, is characterised by the absence of the institution narrative – probably reflecting an early structure – and style of the prayers reminiscent of the Jewish liturgical texts used in synagogues. St James Liturgy followed by the West Syrians has its origin in Jerusalem and has retained its fourth-century structure. Eventually it served as the model for about eighty anaphoras composed by the West Syrians. Most of the liturgical hymns of the Syrians were composed by early poet-theologians like St Ephrem (4th cent.) and Jacob of Serugh (5th cent.), providing examples of early Christian hymns and music, born in a milieu where poetry was used as the most effective means for the instruction of faith.