www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Maronite "Prayer of the Faithful"

I had a question about the Maronite Divine Office "Prayer of the Faithful". Are these prayers a translation of the original Syriac prayers or a "new and improved" office like the Roman "Liturgy of the Hours"?

I have listened to the podcast available on The Hidden Pearl, and while some of it sounds like Orthodox prayer, some sounds very modern. The books are fairly expensive, so I thought I'd ask for some information before ordering some.

I have Volume III and comparing it to Syriac Orthodox versions (the closest to the Maronite among Orthodox) I see no great differences.

Maronite Voice Publications offers a shorter version for the laiyt for $5.
http://www.stmaron.org/mv_pubs.html#3

Eyes of the Heart: A Short Maronite Prayer of the Faithful - is a shortened version of the 3 volumes of evening (Ramsho) - morning (Safro) prayers, psalms, hymns and readings. This attractive, one volume, user-friendly text provides Sunday prayers for the six seasons: Announcement, Epiphany, Lent, Resurrection After Pentecost and Holy Cross. The Commons for weekday include Monday of the Angels to Saturday of Faithful Departed, as well as the Calendar of saints to honor their feasts. Available through The Maronite Voice for $5.00 plus shipping and handling.

Greetings,

To quickly answer the OP's question, the "Prayer of the Faithful" series is not an English translation of "original Syriac prayers." The latter exists only in Syriac known as the shhimo, in either the Maronite or Syriac Orthodox traditions. The Maronite shhimo is not the foundation text for the "Prayer of the Faithful" series.

The "Prayer of the Faithful" volumes are in fact a translation of an Arabic creation into French turned English. It is not commonly known that volumes I-III of the of the series in English (some in French) have undergone minute changes in the past few decades (emphasis vol. III). These changes are nothing of great substance, though one can chronologically trace the elimination of some Syriac particulars within the text.

The "Eyes of the Heart" was an attempt at truncating the "Prayer of the Faithful" set into one volume in a rather unsuccessful attempt to encourage lay use of the office. Only the English texts of the "Prayer of the Faithful" were used in its creation.

It is also pertinent to note that the "Prayer of the Faithful" has never been translated into Syriac; an unsurprising fact considering it was not written in Syriac while in composition. The above comparison of the volume set to the Syriac Orthodox shhimo is coincidental, and a thorough evaluation of both texts would reveal it's rather modern origins.

The Maronite shimmo itself is quite similar to its Syriac Orthodox counterpart. Unfortunately, it can't be found in English. In fact, you would be considered blessed to see one in person, for there might be less than a handful in this country. I know for certain the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon does not have a single copy, in either the private or public collections of the clergy.

There is Fr. Bede Griffiths:
The Book of Common Prayer [shhimo] of the Syrian Church
http://www.gorgiaspress.com/booksho...-prayer-shhimo-of-the-syrian-church.aspx

Simply wanted to note that this is an English translation of the Syriac Orthodox shhimo for those Western Syriac churches (Syriac Orthodox, Malankara Orthodox, and the Catholic equivalents) to a particular degree. If this satisfies the OP, so be it.

How much do the Maronite and Syriac traditions diverge when it comes to the Office?

I looked at the preview on Google Books. I believe it would be sufficient. I'm going to order "Eyes of the Heart" to use with my Children.

Thanks for your feedback!