The Syrian Orthodox Church

By H.H. MOR IGNATIUS YACOUB III (1980+)

ITS LITURGICAL LANGUAGE

There is no doubt that Aramaic was the language of the Jews during the Apostolic Age as well as during several centuries prior to this period and extending as far back as 500 B.C. The Jews even wrote some of their Holy Scriptures in Aramaic or in Aramaic characters. The Dead Sea Scrolls which were discovered in 1947 by His Eminence Mar Athanasius Y. Samuel, then Archbishop of Jerusalem, confirm this fact. This language, therefore, was used as the liturgical language in this Church. The Aramaic liturgy originally written by St. James, the brother of our Lord and the first bishop of Jerusalem, came to be used for the first time by this Church. Hence it was attributed to it.

We are very proud that this language was sanctified by the birth and life of Christ, by His miracles, teachings, sermons and the establishment of the sacraments of the Incarnation and Redemption. It was honored by His Holy mouth and that of His blessed mother and the Apostles. We are proud also that by this language the Gospel was first preached in Judea, Syria and the neighboring countries.

© 1995 - 2008 Syrian Orthodox Church

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