The Saint Nicholas Liturgy, a Gallican Rite
Gathered for a special event in a borrowed sanctuary ...
The Saint Nicholas Liturgy and our Philosophy of Worship
On special occasions, our worship is conducted with greater solemnity according to the Saint Nicholas Liturgy—our own modern adaptation of the Gallican Rite based on the description in Dom Gregory Dix's Shape of the Liturgy as well as other sources.
The Gallican Rite is the “forgotten child” from a family of four Rites that developed in Western Europe alongside the Roman Rite. Better known are her three sisters: the Ambrosian Rite, which evolved in the Archdiocese of Milan and is still used there by Roman Catholics; the Mozarabic Rite, which developed in Spain and is still celebrated in the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Toledo; and the eclectic Celtic Formularies that were used throughout Scotland and Ireland through the eleventh century and pass down to us through the Anglican Rite of the Church of England and The Episcopal Church (USA). The fourth sister, the Gallican Rite, was used in the Frankish kingdom (southern France) until the time of Charlemagne. It was suppressed in deference to the Roman Rite with which it shared the use of Latin as the language of worship.
While a true Western Liturgy, the Gallican Rite is highly influenced by the worship traditions of the Eastern Church [the so-called “Eastern Rites”]. There is an overall attitude of mystery and awe with an emphasis on symbolism, drama and rich ceremonial. The Liturgy attempts to transcend this place and time so as to experience the heavenly kingdom of God. In our worship, you are invited to participate as much or as little as you wish. While you may choose to sing all the hymns, chant all the chants, make all the responses and observe all of the traditional postures; please do not feel that you “have to.” In our worship you may just “sit back, relax, and take it all in” and still be considered a full participant. In our style of worship active community participation is much less important than an individual’s being able to spend “quality time” in the presence of our ever-loving God.
We believe that our God wants to communicate with each person present at this Liturgy. We have learned—the hard way—that if we are too busy trying to “do the rite right” it is more likely than not that we shall miss God. When we are too busy we are unable to listen, and it is in the silence of our hearts that our God seems to be made manifest during our liturgies. The bottom line is this: however one may choose to participate in this service of worship, only that which is done “for the glory of God” (See Romans 14) will remain when worship is over. In other words: how you participate is entirely up to you.
Should you ever join us for a Gallican Rite Divine Liturgy, we hope that you enjoy your experience of our worship and we invite your questions and feedback about our special Liturgy.
The Gallican Rite is the “forgotten child” from a family of four Rites that developed in Western Europe alongside the Roman Rite. Better known are her three sisters: the Ambrosian Rite, which evolved in the Archdiocese of Milan and is still used there by Roman Catholics; the Mozarabic Rite, which developed in Spain and is still celebrated in the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Toledo; and the eclectic Celtic Formularies that were used throughout Scotland and Ireland through the eleventh century and pass down to us through the Anglican Rite of the Church of England and The Episcopal Church (USA). The fourth sister, the Gallican Rite, was used in the Frankish kingdom (southern France) until the time of Charlemagne. It was suppressed in deference to the Roman Rite with which it shared the use of Latin as the language of worship.
While a true Western Liturgy, the Gallican Rite is highly influenced by the worship traditions of the Eastern Church [the so-called “Eastern Rites”]. There is an overall attitude of mystery and awe with an emphasis on symbolism, drama and rich ceremonial. The Liturgy attempts to transcend this place and time so as to experience the heavenly kingdom of God. In our worship, you are invited to participate as much or as little as you wish. While you may choose to sing all the hymns, chant all the chants, make all the responses and observe all of the traditional postures; please do not feel that you “have to.” In our worship you may just “sit back, relax, and take it all in” and still be considered a full participant. In our style of worship active community participation is much less important than an individual’s being able to spend “quality time” in the presence of our ever-loving God.
We believe that our God wants to communicate with each person present at this Liturgy. We have learned—the hard way—that if we are too busy trying to “do the rite right” it is more likely than not that we shall miss God. When we are too busy we are unable to listen, and it is in the silence of our hearts that our God seems to be made manifest during our liturgies. The bottom line is this: however one may choose to participate in this service of worship, only that which is done “for the glory of God” (See Romans 14) will remain when worship is over. In other words: how you participate is entirely up to you.
Should you ever join us for a Gallican Rite Divine Liturgy, we hope that you enjoy your experience of our worship and we invite your questions and feedback about our special Liturgy.
