Ship of Fools: Roman Office of Readings

Thread: Roman Office of Readings - Holy Saturday Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.

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Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :

I usually use the C of E Daily Prayer, but for some days, the Roman Divine Office seems more helpful.

For years I have been impressed by the second reading at the Office of Readings for Holy Saturday, describing the Harrowing of Hell. It is anonymous and is headed "A reading from an ancient homily for Holy Saturday".

Anyone know the source?

Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :

Here is a link to the whole office.

The reading in question comes at the end after the biblical reading from Hebrews.

Posted by leo (# 1458) on :

An amazing piece - not for the first time does the Roman Office nourish the parts that C of E Daily Prayer cannot reach.

Posted by Doone (# 18470) on :

Beautiful.

Posted by Adam. (# 4991) on :

It is wonderful.

According to this, it's a fourth century Greek homily about which nothing more is known. I'm sure more is known, but not by me. The reference to PG, I think is to the Patres Graecae (Greek Fathers) collection, which may or may not have more information about the provenance and the relevant manuscript tradition(s) from which the translation has been prepared.

Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :

quote:
Originally posted by venbede:
For years I have been impressed by the second reading at the Office of Readings for Holy Saturday, describing the Harrowing of Hell. It is anonymous and is headed "A reading from an ancient homily for Holy Saturday".

Anyone know the source?

This Orthodox site attributes the text to St. Epiphanius, Bishop of Cyprus (403 A.D.).

Posted by dj_ordinaire (# 4643) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Adam.:
It is wonderful.

According to this, it's a fourth century Greek homily about which nothing more is known. I'm sure more is known, but not by me. The reference to PG, I think is to the Patres Graecae (Greek Fathers) collection, which may or may not have more information about the provenance and the relevant manuscript tradition(s) from which the translation has been prepared.

It is wonderful indeed - and I too would like to know more about it. Maybe not until Heaven, alas!

Posted by Bostonman (# 17108) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Adam.:
It is wonderful.

According to this, it's a fourth century Greek homily about which nothing more is known. I'm sure more is known, but not by me. The reference to PG, I think is to the Patres Graecae (Greek Fathers) collection, which may or may not have more information about the provenance and the relevant manuscript tradition(s) from which the translation has been prepared.

PG is for Patrologia Graeca, but otherwise right on. You can access the text in Greek and Latin here. It is under the name of Epiphanius of Cyprus there.

Posted by Adam. (# 4991) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Bostonman:
PG is for Patrologia Graeca, but otherwise right on. You can access the text in Greek and Latin here. It is under the name of Epiphanius of Cyprus there.

Thanks! Interesting that even in that collection, it is labeled Dubia aut spuria ("doubtful or spurious").

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