A Different Tradition

The Lord Whom the seraphs fear to look at,
The same you behold in bread and wine on the altar.
The lightning clothed hosts are burned if they see Him in His brilliance.
Yet the contemptible dust partakes of Him with confidence.
The Son's Mysteries are fire among the heavenly beings,
Isaiah bears witness with us to have seen them.
These Mysteries which were in the Divinity's bosom,
Are distributed to Adam's children on the altar.
The altar is fashioned like the cherubim's chariot,
And is surrounded by the heavenly hosts.
On the altar is laid the Body of God's Son,
And Adam's children carry it solemnly on their hands.
Instead of a man clad in linen, stands the (priest),
And distributes alms (the Eucharist) among the needy.
If envy existed among the angels,
The cherubim would have envied men.
Where Zion set up the Cross to crucify the Son,
There grew up the tree that gave birth to the Lamb.
Where nails were driven in the Son's hands,
There Isaac's hands were bound for an offering.
Welcome, priest, who carries the Mysteries of his Lord,
And with his right hand distributes life to men.
Welcome, priest, who carries a pure censer,
And with its fragrance makes the world sweet and pleasant.
Welcome, priest, whom the Holy Spirit did raise up,
And on his tongue bears the keys to the house of God.
Welcome, priest, who binds man in the depth below,
And the Lord binds him in heaven on high. Halleluiah.
Welcome, priest, who unbinds men on earth,
And the Lord unbinds him in the highest. Kyrie eleison.
Praise be to the Lord. His mercy upon you and absolution for me.
And good commemoration to Mor Jacob the malphono.

I’ve decided that every Friday I’m going to do a hymn from a different church tradition. I love my own church tradition, but heaven is not going to be solely composed of Calvinist Presbyterians. Since believers come from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue, I might as well get to know my brethren. Today I’m listening to the Syrian Orthodox hymn “Haw Nurone.” I don’t really have history on the hymn itself, so let’s talk about the Syrian Church. They trace their liturgy to St. James. Not the Apostle, but to Jesus brother, the guy who wrote the letter that follows Hebrews (Actually, it could be the Apostle, I found conflicting information … either way, there is no church liturgy that is older). There are some gaps in there, but the claim can’t really be disproven. Also very prominent in their liturgical tradition? St. Basil and St. John Chrysostom. If you’re the kind of person who thinks Christianity is found outside the confines of church, then St. Basil is your guy. He lived in the wilderness. He did some wonderful work on the Trinity. Founded communal monasticism. He also went to church, because that is how the Lord arranged worship. So, go to church, you’ll be closer to the Lord. St. John Chrysostom is considered the best preacher ever. I remember reading one of his sermons, it concluded, roughly, “It is time to go because the day is ending.” When the sun sets, it’s time for the sermon to end. It’s a good rule of thumb. Threeish fun facts: #1 The Syrian Orthodox Church holds that the denomination was founded by St. Peter in Antioch. After St. Peter left, Evodios and Ignatius presided of the Patriarchy. #2 Nearly every Syrian Orthodox Patriarch since 1293 were named Ignatius. #3 Current leader of Syrian Orthodox Church is Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka Iwas I. And he has a Facebook page!

My favorite line in this hymn is “If envy existed among the angels/ the cherubim would have envied men.” It reminds me of 1 Pet. 1:12 in which Peter writes, “in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.” In grace, we have a love that causes angels to be curious. I grow uncomfortably comfortable with my grace. I treat it like a pair of jeans that have been broken in. It’s good for all occasions. In my sin, I forget how amazing grace can be, yet grace is an aspect of God’s awesome love at which we should marvel. I have done everything possible to offend the Lord, but He still loves me. This grace, while free to us, is purchased for us by our Savior. The next few lines of this beautiful hymn describes that purchase, “When Zion set up the Cross to crucify the Son/ There grew up the tree that gave birth to the Lamb/ Where nails were driven in the Son’s hands / There Isaac’s hands were bound for an offering.” I think these verses are incredible in their beauty and simplicity of presenting what was done for the Christian. It is good to remind oneself of the Cross daily. We have a Savior whose love is greater than our sins. Here is a link to the hymn. It isn't in English, but if people who don't know Italian can enjoy Puccini, I can enjoy listening to my brothers worship our Savior. Praise the Lord.