This book describes the Church of Jerusalem, as the mother of all Churches, and its liturgy in the beginnings of Christianity. The main objective of this research is to find, in the primary sources (as the pilgrim Egeria, St. Cyril of Jerusalem, the Armenian and the Georgian Lectionaries), the original elements of the Christian liturgy of the early Church of Jerusalem, in the first five centuries, and to collect the various scattered pieces. The author clarifies the image, and reconstructs, as far as possible, the historical-liturgical picture. By this book we will discover how much the other liturgical traditions of various churches, especially the Church of Rome, have copied the Jerusalemite tradition. The detailed description of the Jerusalemite liturgy, especially for the feasts of the liturgical year, offers us a vivid picture of Jerusalem's unique role in Christian devotion and the mysterious connection between the Christian faith and the land of biblical history. The presentation of the anaphora of St. James will enlighten our understanding of the Eucharistic prayer in all the liturgical traditions, especially Syriac, Byzantine and Roman.

This book describes the Church of Jerusalem, as the mother of all Churches, and its liturgy in the beginnings of Christianity. The main objective of this research is to find, in the primary sources (as the pilgrim Egeria, St. Cyril of Jerusalem, the Armenian and the Georgian Lectionaries), the original elements of the Christian liturgy of the early Church of Jerusalem, in the first five centuries, and to collect the various scattered pieces. The author clarifies the image, and reconstructs, as far as possible, the historical-liturgical picture. By this book we will discover how much the other liturgical traditions of various churches, especially the Church of Rome, have copied the Jerusalemite tradition. The detailed description of the Jerusalemite liturgy, especially for the feasts of the liturgical year, offers us a vivid picture of Jerusalem's unique role in Christian devotion and the mysterious connection between the Christian faith and the land of biblical history. The presentation of the anaphora of St. James will enlighten our understanding of the Eucharistic prayer in all the liturgical traditions, especially Syriac, Byzantine and Roman.

A comprehensive survey of the doctrine and practice of baptism in the first five centuries of Christian history, arranged geographically within chronological periods.

Acts is the sequel to Luke's gospel and tells the story of Jesus's followers during the 30 years after his death. It describes how the 12 apostles, formerly Jesus's disciples, spread the message of Christianity throughout the Mediterranean against a background of persecution. With an introduction by P.D. James

How great the differences between the Last Supper celebrated by Jesus and a pontifical High Mass at St. Peter's in Rome! And also, between the early baptisms by immersion described in the Acts of the Apostles and the baptisms of newborns in our parishes today. Why such a change in the celebration of the Christian mystery? Why the recent reforms, often misunderstood? In History of the Liturgy, Marcel Metzger answers such questions and offers an understanding of this evolution through a carefully documented historical survey. The essential forms of the liturgy were fixed very early according to the tradition received from the apostles. But the place given to biblical readings, teaching, singing, and ritual has varied in the course of the centuries. In History of the Liturgy, Metzger describes the most important phases of these changes. In describing the first millennium, he focuses on liturgy's essentials common to the Eastern and Western Churches. In describing the second millennium, he explains the deviations of the Western Churches which called for the effort of reform and renewal begun by Vatican II. Metzger studies the development of the liturgical institutions and distinguishes liturgy's five main stages that correspond to the situations of the Churches in ancient, medieval, and modern societies. He begins by focusing on the apostolic period, roughly the first century of our era, until the death of the apostles. He follows by studying the period of minorities and semi-clan destiny until the beginning of the fourth century. He then focuses on the Peace of the Church," which grants public status to the churches in the Empire, fosters their growth, and organizes the collaboration between Empire and Church. The work concludes by studying the stability, rigidity, renewals, and reforms of the Roman liturgy, from the end of the Middle Ages to Vatican II. This clear and accurate survey of the history of liturgy is designed to awaken readers' interest, on a solid yet introductory level, in the realities that have made and still make up the Church's liturgical life: assemblies, Eucharist, baptism, reconciliation, dally praise, the Church's calendar, and its architecture. In History of the Liturgy, Metzger stresses that if history is the teacher of life, the eyes of Christian faith allow us to recognize in it as well the mysterious presence of God, who, through the Spirit, guides his people. And this happens, above all, in the liturgy. "

This book examines the way Christians in Jerusalem prayed and how their prayer changed in the face of foreign invasions and the destruction of their places of worship.

The new edition of this popular textbook by leading theologian, Alister E. McGrath, will be essential reading for anyone wanting to understand the dynamics of the world’s largest religion. Fully revised to include greater coverage of the Catholic perspective, contemporary issues, non-Western Christianity, globalization and women, this is a truly comprehensive, lively, and jargon-free introduction to Christianity. Written for beginners to this subject, and assumes no knowledge of Christian beliefs or practices. Includes an introduction to biblical sources and discussion of the central figure of Jesus. Features comprehensive discussions of Christian theology, the history of Christianity from its origins to the present day, and Christianity in the modern world. Increases coverage of contemporary issues, the Catholic perspective, non-Western Christianity, globalization and women Contains accessible and student-friendly features, including numerous illustrations, suggestions for further reading, a glossary of Christian terms, and brief readings from illustrative Christian sources.