Prayers from the East: Traditions of Eastern Christianity [Paperback]

Richard Marsh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2004

This rich anthology offers new insight into an ancient form of Christianity still little understood in the West. An introduction to the rich diversity of the six "Ancient and Oriental Orthodox" churches - Egyptian Copts, Armenians, Syrians, Indian Malankara, Ethiopian, and Eritrean - through their distinctive tradition of prayer and worship, it provides both a survey of the history and theology of these Eastern Orthodox traditions as well as an anthology of their personal prayers, blessings, and liturgical prayers. The collection highlights the distinctiveness of Eastern Christian spirituality along with its connections to Western theology and worship.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richard Marsh is Canon at Canterbury Cathedral and Director of its International Study Centre. He is the author of Black Angels: The Art and Spirituality of Ethiopia (2001) and a contributor to Ink and Spirit (2001).

Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Fortress Press; 1st Fortress Press Ed edition (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800636554
• ISBN-13: 978-0800636555
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #294,567 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Through Prayer, December 7, 2004

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matt (the reading room) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prayers from the East: Traditions of Eastern Christianity (Paperback)

If one wants to enter into the heart of a religion such as Eastern Orthodoxy, it is best accomplished through the prayers and worship of the faithful. This readable collection of prayers helps the reader pray their way into the heart of the faith. Well done.

If you have an interest in the Oriental Orthodox Church and how it relates the Christianity at large- Orthodox, Roman, Protestant, I would suggest the useful book "Christ in East and West" edited by Fries and Nersoyen.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good stuff...literally, October 16, 2006

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DomnulVJB (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Prayers from the East: Traditions of Eastern Christianity (Paperback)

Eye-opening to the eastern traditions and very well put together. This book has some of the most eloquent prayers I've ever heard. Definitely worth the read.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oriental Orthodox Benedictus after a Holy Sanctus, August 10, 2008

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Didaskalex "Eusebius Alexandrinus" (Kellia on Calvary, Carolina, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: Prayers from the East: Traditions of Eastern Christianity (Paperback)

"Praise be to the One who is praised and glorified, who has magnified the remembrance of his Mother in heaven and on earth. . .to whom glory and honour are appropriate at this time. . . and in all feasts, times, ages, and through all the days of our life for evermore. Amen." Syrian Liturgy of Our Lady, Advent



An Anglican writing about Copts?
Richard Marsh who served for a decade on the ecumenical staff of the Archbishop of Canterbury, provides a fascinating sampler from the Armenian, Coptic, Syrian, Malankara, and Ethiopian Churches. Canon Marsh is remarkably qualified to select, comment and expose to Western Christians the liturgical prayers of the Oriental Orthodox churches of the earliest Christian founding communities, from Alexandria to Antioch, and their faithful brothers and daughters in Armenia, Ethiopia, South India and Eritrea.

Coptic Hymnals:
Chanting Coptic hymnals, which I joined when I turned twelve as a Psalter, is a praising tradition inherited from the great Church of Alexandria, since the fourth century, before its separation from Byzantium after the advent of Islam. This doxological tradition is preserved within the liturgical corpus of Church worship, with ascetic practices of fasting, and tears, in commemoration of the martyrs, has been maintained for over fifteen centuries. The performing methodology of these hymns vary, but a fundamental difference with western churches is praising in two 'Antiphonal' choirs (north & south) in which the two choirs are praising in response, with harmonic tuning. Like their Jewish ascetic ancestors, the Therapeutae, they formed the two choirs of both young boys and girls, and continued to practice the 'Alleluia', a non translated Hebrew expression for enthusiastic chanting hymns of praise. A diverse variety of ways of hymnal performance promote the mystical content hidden within the tunes. The participating congregation and the choirs answer the serving deacon or celebrating priest. There is also antiphonal solo with group praising, which led to the appearance of a "Virtuoso" chanter in the eastern churches ceremonials.

Liturgical Prayers:
Liturgical prayers, as communal worship started early, in the fourth century by the Oriental churches in Eastern Mediterranean. Coptic tradition is attested (De Principii 4.3) in the early third century by Origen, beloved Didaskalos (Teacher or Doctor of the Church), who wrote extensively on prayer. In the preface to 'On Prayer', he writes quoting St. Paul in Romans; " In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;" (Rom 8:26).The Euchologium attributed to Sarapion, bishop of Thmuis, contains a complete anaphora, which has two unique features, a prayer of offering and for mercy.

Oriental liturgical Traditions:
The icons found everywhere among Oriental Orthodox Christians, derived from a way of presenting a gospel story or event in the life of the apostles, as developed from the murals preserved in the ancient Monastry in Bawit. Mariology is characteristically Christocentric, there is no icons of St. Mary without baby Jesus. Armenians priests lead confession from among the people, starting first. In an Armenian wedding, the happy couple is reminded, that this world has all kinds of troubles, "Nevertheless it is God's commandment that you help one another until death." The Coptic reminds the bride of the authority of the groom, and to the groom is read St. Paul's commandments on love and care.
The Syrian Canon of the Faithful Brethren, reminds us, Marsh observes, that "I am never alone in my worship. . . I am part of something greater and more mysterious. I have a responsibility for its unity, its continuity, and to remember everyone when I bring my gift to the altar."

Expert Western Reviews:
"Richard Marsh has done the church a great service. It is hard to get more ecumenical than this: an Anglican writing about Copts in a book published by Lutherans that can teach the rest of us a great deal. ... 'He' shows us, how to emphasize the continuity of the Church across time and space."
"The beautiful Coptic Orthodox Prayer after Communion might likewise enrich a World Communion Sunday service. The Coptic Orthodox Prayer before Meals would give a worldwide perspective to either World Communion or an interfaith Thanksgiving Service. As Marsh observes, we easily forget "the importance of food and table-fellowship in our fast-food world. Not so Christians of the East, for whom food is valuable and precious. . . Fellowship at the table is something to be carefully cherished and offered to God."

Coptic Liturgies & Hymns (English, Arabic & Coptic)
Let Us Attend, A Journey Through the Orthodox Divine Liturgy