Yeast Shortage Leads to Hard Questions

Since the time of the vanquishing of the Ebionite heresy, when all the Churches used leavened bread for the Oblation to show that the keeping of Jewish traditions was not necessary for salvation, some Churches have used leavened and some unleavened.  Within any Church, using the non-proscribed style of bread is considered an offense against the unity of the rite and the directives of the bishops.  This is why the current yeast shortage is causing such an issue in the Eastern Christian Churches throughout America.

As we all know, what is causing this shortage is unknown.  Some say it is the recent heat wave, and some say it is a hitherto-unseen microscopic creature that is killing the yeast.  Whatever the cause, yeast just will not stay alive in America right now.

Practically speaking, the results are that the Divine Liturgy has not been celebrated in weeks.  "It is a tragic case in our country today," commented Metropolitan Georg Hunserl of Bogoroditsa, WV.  "So many are deprived of the Holy Gifts, unless they attend a Mass."  His Grace did point out on speck of light, though: "Matins and Vespers are flourishing as never seen before in our metropolia."

The debate has now arisen about whether, in extreme circumstances such as these, Byzantine Catholic priest may be allowed to offer the Holy Gifts if they are made without yeast.  Protoreader Theodore Anathayich of St. Methuselah's Metropolitan College plainly denies the possibility.  "Absolutely not!  For where in the Holy Synods of old can such a rule be found?  Who would take oikonomia to such a length?  Who would go against the canons of the most holy Fathers among the Saints, John of Savia, Alexander of Cairo, Hegumen Athanasius II of St. Basil of Caesarea Philippi, Stavrophore Constantin Garochka Eliazar of Târgi Lăpșu..." [we cut short the good Protoreader's catena of holy men for the sake of space].

Babic wisdom has no good words for azymos either, as I was unceremoniously driven from St. Nicholas Church in Coraopolis, PA, for the mere suggestion of unleavened bread.  The babis plan to solve the crisis as they solve all: by following the parable of the widow and the unjust judge.  A baba whose name I was not able to obtain before my forced exit explained it succinctly: "If a problem remains, it is because the priest does not pray.  If the priest does not pray, it is because the babi do not ask."  Before I could inquire of the priest his views of the babic saying, I saw his terrified trembling, and I thought it better to refrain.

No one yet knows what will become of this crisis.  All we know is the opinion of the Great Synod of Târgi Lăpșu: "To him who dares to offer the Holy Gifts as unleavened, let him be anathema!"  Whether Metropolitan Georg will be of that opinion has yet to be seen.

Society of Saint Jacob the Patriarch Strives to Purify the Liturgy

"Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" is often known among Roman Catholics as a hymn sung during Lent, but it is actually a pre-Communion hymn from the ancient Liturgy of St. James.  A new organization wants to make sure we not only know of this liturgy, but also that we know of its greatness.

"No other liturgy is as reverent," stated Hieromonk Jacob Proclus, founder of the Society of Saint Jacob the Patriarch (SSJP).  "Where the great Patriarch decreed silence, other liturgies preponderate this vast flood of sound.  Who can tremble before the Lord's majesty when their ears are continually assaulted?"

The SSJP was founded just last year by Hieromonk J. Proclus, with the blessings of Hegumen Jacob Pachomius of Ἁγιας Ίακωβος (Hagias Iakobos) Monastery in Ortega, ID, where the Hieromonk resides.  The Society purports that all newer liturgies, including the Liturgies of St. John Chrysostom, St. Basil, St. Cyril, St. Xystus, St. Gregory, St. Athanasius, Sts. Addai and Mari, Mar Jacob Bar-Salibi and various others, are all infected with various forms of heresy or lack of reverence to the Lord.  For that reason, it attempts to suppress all other liturgies except the almost-extinct Liturgy of St. James, whom they refer to by his original name, Jacob. 

Stavrophore Jacob Panteleimon, the SSJP's main liturgist, is in the process of writing a twelve-volume work, with the help of Protoreader Theodore Anathayich of St. Methuselah's Metropolitan College, detailing the glories of the Liturgy of St. James and the downfall seen in later liturgies.  "No other liturgy is proper for worshipping our Lord Jesus Christ, for no other liturgy was written by one who saw Him on earth."  (Stavrophore J. Panteleimon refers to a manuscript Hagias Iakobos has that is claimed to be the original text of the liturgy, written by the Apostle's hand.)  "Even the Second Council of Jerusalem decreed that no other liturgy was to be said, for 'No one can outpraise Jacob.'  If only all would see the depth that has been lost, with these tones and iconostaseis!  If only all could see the undefeatable beauty of the priest's worshipping the Lord with his gaze on the people!"

The SSJP is planning a procession of intercessory prayer to the Apostle and Patriarch, followed by a celebration of his Liturgy on a stone altar in an Idaho field, similar to how St. James describes his liturgical celebrations in documents held by the monastery.  The Society invites all to join Hieromonk J. Proclus and Stavrophore J. Panteleimon, the entirety of the SSJP, at Hagios Iakobos Monastery for the start of the procession.  According to their announcement, anathemas will follow the Liturgy, as will bread, salt, and unsweetened tea for refereshments.