Byzantine-Slavic Liturgy in Old Slavonic

On Saturday 13th September 2023, we were pleased to welcome back Fr Gabriel Diaz, who celebrated the Byzantine-Slavic Liturgy.

This was organized by the Society for Studies on Comparative Liturgy (APEHLC) as an introduction to the spiritual riches of this liturgical tradition.

Fr. Gabriel Diaz-Patri (Research scholar on historical comparative liturgy at APEHLC), has a long experience in the celebration of this rite in different parts of the world. The singing was provided by the "St. Cyril and Methodius Choir". The whole celebration was placed under the patronage of Ss Cyril & Methodius, “equal-to-the-apostles”, “teachers of all the Slavic peoples” and, since 31 December 1980, co-patrons of Europe (Apostolic Letter Egregiae virtutis).

The celebration was celebrated in Old Slavonic, the language traditionally used in the Slavic regions, both for the Byzantine and even for the Roman rite (Glagolitic Mass), for over 1,000 years.
The celebration began at 10am with the preparation of the Priest (penitential prayers before access to the altar) and of the gifts (first part of the offertory) during the psalmody of the Office of Terce.