www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Books Most Reverend Joseph Raya: Byzantine Daily Worship

All, after doing some recent research into the contents of many *Izbornik* books published in Church Slavonic in the early 20th century in Europe, it seems they are very similar in content to BDW. But the Slavonic Churches never produced a complete English equivalent that I've ever seen. I have been considering a project to produce such a book like those *Izborniki* and that very much parallels the content of BDW.

Based on reading this thread, there seems to be a demand, and I agree that on-demand digital printing or other methods could be more economical than the $40,000 quoted as needed to reprint BDW.

How many on this forum would buy a book like BDW if we produced such a book? What content would people need or expect? What are the characteristics of BDW that makes it so appealing that we can make sure to consider?

I realize this may not be very scientific market research, but it seems to be a hot topic on this Forum and if there is a market for such a book, I would pursue my ideas with more vigor and try to produce something by this fall. Pass the word around to have people comment and let me know if this is worth doing.

Jack Figel
Publisher
Eastern Christian Publications
Fairfax, VA
www.ecpubs.com [ecpubs.com]

Hi Jack,

to put it short and sweet, YES, IT IS WORTH DOING!

As far as I'm concerned, since I've been at my wit's end to get the book, I suppose that you'd have one potential buyer here.

One of the features of the BDW is that it had rubrics, in little red notes, for the Byzatnine-Slavonic churches. If you were to create an English book which will drive on what the Byzantine-Slavonic churches have, then do add notes on different practices, where they apply. Or not, you can just republish the whole BDW and create a Byzantine-Slav edition of the BDW. The ball seems to be in your court now!

PS: Fr. Kevin Cummins sends his regards.

As an aid to private devotion and study, or as a source of English translations for liturgical services when nothing suitable is available, I can see the utility of a copy of BDW. I have some difficulty understanding its place in parish worship today, however.

It is a point-in-time document. It beautifully memorializes the efforts of Archbishop Joseph and Baron Jose to produce a compendium of the accomplishments of the Melkite Church of nearly half a century ago in recovering and promoting its liturgical riches for English-speaking clergy and faithful. Has it not been overtaken by events? Even if shorn of its Latinizations (Benediction comes to mind), where would it fit into the life of an ordinary EC parish?

Would BC hierarchs and pastors accept it as an alternative to the RDL or the old Red Book? Would UGC hierarchs and parish clergy accept it as an alternative to the Sheptytsky Institute's "Anthology"? Quite apart from cost, would parishes want to have multiple "pew books" for the faithful to juggle?

BDW is, no doubt, a treasure. But it is difficult to see where it would fit into the sadly disparate and uncoordinated efforts at liturgical renewal now occupying the attention, energies and resources of our several Particular Churches.

Well, for my parish, the book is still useful because the Euchologion and Horologion comes from there. It is a necessity for our English liturgies.

The BC Church already has its own resources in place for its faithful. What's lacking applies to the Melkites, which sorely, I don't know why Alleluia Press is not tendering the publishing out.

I suspect that anyone contemplating re-issue of BDW will have to consider, in addition to the possible need for further editing, the feasibility of producing a 1000+-page book in anything like the original format: bible paper, red edges, ribbon markers, leatherette cover. As I said before, BDW is a treasure, but apart from its possible use as a resource by clergy, cantors and such, it is difficult to see it meeting the need for a pew book for the English-speaking laity of any of our Churches in the 21st century.

By default, presentation doesn't really matter. If the BDW were republished to look like as if it was published by Penguin, I'd still be unscathed because most importantly, my faith in God needs to come first, and not nitty grities like the paper or binding. Softcover or hard, doesn't matter - as long as there is something for us to use while we pray.

Want to publish at a budget? Send it to TPI. They reproduce books for cheap. I bought my NRSV and Jerome Biblical Commentary for 15 Malaysian ringgit and 50 Malaysian ringgit respectively. Its still the same book.

We should prepare to petition! :p