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Saturday, August 3, 2013

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.

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