Reading of the Evangelion (Gospel) in India in the 4th Century
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Those of the Syrian Orthodox tradition know of the way we read the Holy Gospel (Evangelion). There is quite a bit of preparation that goes along with it. The Evangelion Mesha (Table) is brought to the center of the Madbaha(Holy of Holies), candles are lit, bells are rung, Marbasa (representing angels) are brought out and in a procession the celebrant brings out the Evengelion to the Evangelion Table. There is an announcement by the deacon to "stand well and listen to living words of God" and there is smoke rising from the censor as the Evangelion is being read.
And the faithful stand well. However looks like in the 4th Century there were some 'corrections' that were needed as seen below:
In 354 AD a certain Theophilus traveled to India. He saw some "wrong practices" in the Indian Churches which he then tried to correct. One such practice - "They would, for instance, listen to the gospel readings while seated"
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These point to the times and practices of Indian Christians long before the West realized there were Christians in India.
Ref: S. Lieu, K. Parry, et al. Medieval Christian and Manichaean Remains from Quanzhou (Zayton).
[as shown by fifth century Church historian Philostorgius.]
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Those of the Syrian Orthodox tradition know of the way we read the Holy Gospel (Evangelion). There is quite a bit of preparation that goes along with it. The Evangelion Mesha (Table) is brought to the center of the Madbaha(Holy of Holies), candles are lit, bells are rung, Marbasa (representing angels) are brought out and in a procession the celebrant brings out the Evengelion to the Evangelion Table. There is an announcement by the deacon to "stand well and listen to living words of God" and there is smoke rising from the censor as the Evangelion is being read.
And the faithful stand well. However looks like in the 4th Century there were some 'corrections' that were needed as seen below:
In 354 AD a certain Theophilus traveled to India. He saw some "wrong practices" in the Indian Churches which he then tried to correct. One such practice - "They would, for instance, listen to the gospel readings while seated"
-------------------
These point to the times and practices of Indian Christians long before the West realized there were Christians in India.
Ref: S. Lieu, K. Parry, et al. Medieval Christian and Manichaean Remains from Quanzhou (Zayton).
[as shown by fifth century Church historian Philostorgius.]
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