Hymns of the Eastern Church

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Hymns of the Eastern Church

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

An authoritative anthology of ancient Eastern Orthodox hymns translated into English by John Mason Neale. This collection offers students of liturgy and devotional readers access to the treasures of Oriental hymnology, featuring works by saints such as John Damascene and Cosmas, complete with introductory notes and musical settings.

Summary up to 500 words

John Mason Neale's *Hymns of the Eastern Church* stands as a pioneering work in English hymnody, bridging a significant gap by translating Greek ecclesiastical poetry for the first time. Published in 1862, the anthology serves as both a devotional resource and a scholarly introduction to the rich poetic tradition of the Eastern Church. Neale addresses the unique challenges of rendering Greek hymns, which often utilize rhythmic prose rather than classical meter, necessitating a new approach to English versification. He notes that while early Eastern poetry utilized classical measures, the decline of classical Greek and the need to express new Christian thoughts forced the Church to adopt rhyme and rhythmic prose, a shift Neale carefully navigates in his translations. The collection features a diverse range of authors, including S. Anatolius, S. Andrew of Crete, S. John Damascene, S. Cosmas, and S. Stephen the Sabaite. Central themes include the Resurrection, the Nativity, the Passion, and the nature of the soul's journey. Notable pieces include the poignant 'Stichera Of The Last Kiss' by S. John Damascene, a meditation on death and eternal rest sung during funeral services, and the 'Idiomela For All Saints,' which contrasts earthly transience with heavenly glory. Other significant works include S. Cosmas's Canons on Christmas Day and S. Joseph of the Studium's 'The Pilgrims Of Jesus.' Neale provides musical settings, acknowledging the importance of chant in the original liturgical context, and lists various melodies by composers such as T. Helmore and Edmund Sedding. The work is characterized by its earnestness, theological depth, and the translator's humility in admitting the imperfections of his first attempts to open this noble field to the English reader. In his prefaces, Neale expresses gratitude for the reception of his translations despite their flaws and hopes that his work will contribute to the great work of Reunion between the Eastern and Western Churches. By presenting these treasures of Oriental Hymnology, Neale invites English congregations to build an eclectic superstructure on the foundation of the Sarum Book, ensuring the East yields its full share of compositions to the future Hymnal of the English Church.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Religion