At the Lighting of the Lamps: Hymns of the Ancient Church [Paperback]

John Anthony McGuckin (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Greek, Latin (translation)
Original Language: Greek, Latin

Product Details

• Paperback: 118 pages
• Publisher: Morehouse Group (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0819217174
• ISBN-13: 978-0819217172
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #869,389 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ancient Hymnody, Poetry, Prayers in Beautiful Language, February 19, 2005

By 

Volkert Volkersz (Snohomish, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: At the Lighting of the Lamps: Hymns of the Ancient Church (Paperback)

In "At the Lighting of the Lamps" John A. McGuckin has assembled and translated hymns from the Early Church from both the Greek and Latin traditions.

Starting with hymns from the New Testament, such as "Hymn to the Creative Word" (from John 1), McGuckin breathes new life into these ancient texts by setting them in contemporary English free verse. On each facing page the reader will find the text to the original Greek or Latin. (He even provides a pronunciation guide to Byzantine Greek, for those who would like to read it in the original language.)

This is a beautiful collection, one that could used for private prayers, or simply to read these rich ancient texts as poetry. One could even chant them to get a sense of the musical beauty of these words.

This volume begins with an introduction in which McGuckin explains the role of hymnody in the Early Church, how he made some of the selections, what sources he used, and his reasoning behind some of the translations. In the end notes at the back of the book one can find additional comments on each individual hymn. The book closes with a list of primary sources and a select bibliography.

This little volume (102 pages) is recommended for those who wish to read Early Church poetry and hymnody, for those who are involved in the liturgical life of the Church, for those who wish to enrichen their prayer life, or for those who are simply interested in Church history.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The rule of prayer is the rule of Faith., August 9, 2010

By 

matt (the reading room) - See all my reviews

This review is from: At the Lighting of the Lamps: Hymns of the Ancient Church (Paperback)

Although it isn't recognized as such by many American Christians, from the beginning Christianity has been a liturgical religion with the center of worship being the expectation and preparation for the return of Christ. The Gospel even begins with an angelic hymn: "Glory to God in the highest heaven..." All theology proper operates from within the worshiping tradition of the Church. Scriptures are liturgical texts, the canon is a liturgical canon, and the sacraments are, largely, all liturgical. One f the Latin phrases that sums up this perspective is Prosper of Aquitaine's legem credendi lex statuat supplicandi; or more simply, lex orandi lex credendi: the rule of prayer is the rule of faith. Because of this, it behooves the modern Christian, with all that this implies, to have some familiarity with the way Christians from ages past have proclaimed their hope and faith in Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This book thus serves as both a devotional and scholarly supplement and I would hope that readers/prayers will seek to understand more fully that devotional prayers are also liturgical and corporate prayers, and that these prayers are alive and well in the Eastern Orthodox liturgy, and hopefully in the Roman tradition as well. To quote Tertullian, "One Christian, no Christian." The only thing we do alone is go to hell.

The selections range from the Bible to the ninth century and each hymn appears in the original language (Greek or Latin) with English on the facing page. For those who wish to read in the original Greek, a helpful guide to pronunciation is provided. What the prayer/reader will quickly realize is that this is not the 7-11 prayers of pop-Christianity where you say the same 7 "we just" prayers 11 times. Rather, the well-springs of theology flow freshly with hymns worthy of the dignity, splendor and love of God.

"This day receive me Son of God, communing at your mystic feast, for I will not betray your Mystery to your foes; will never give a kiss as did Judas. But like the thief will I confess you; In your royal Kingdom, remember me."

Other books of interest may include: The Gate of Heaven: The History and Symbolism of the Temple in Jerusalem, Temple Themes in Christian Worship, The Shape of the Liturgy, The Eucharist Sacrament of the Kingdom: Sacrament of the Kingdom, For the Life of the World: Sacraments and Orthodoxy, The Place of Christ in Liturgical Prayer: Christology, Trinity, Liturgical Theology and Hymn of Entry: Liturgy and Life in the Orthodox Church (Contemporary Greek Theologians Series , No 1)