Episcopal Ordination by Imposition of Gospel Book: An Enquiry into Origins
The imposition of the Gospel book in episcopal ordination, first found in Apostolic constitutions, and subsequently widespread, has never satisfactorily been explained. This article explores the possibility that the Vita Herakleidis, a neglected liturgical source, might cast some light on the ritual...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
2025
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| In: |
Ex fonte
Year: 2025, Volume: 4, Pages: 505-531 |
| Further subjects: | B
Imposition of hands
B Traditio Apostolica B Episcopal ordination B Enthronement B Apostolic Constitutions B Imposition of the Gospel Book B Antiochene Liturgy |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Summary: | The imposition of the Gospel book in episcopal ordination, first found in Apostolic constitutions, and subsequently widespread, has never satisfactorily been explained. This article explores the possibility that the Vita Herakleidis, a neglected liturgical source, might cast some light on the ritual. Given previous suggestions that the ritual seating of the bishop and the imposition of a hand may be means of ordination with distinct points of origin, the suggestion is made that the imposition of the Gospels was likewise a rite of distinct origin intended, like the imposition of a hand, to indicate appointment. This implies that the imposition of a hand was not the universal and fundamental gesture in episcopal ordinations. |
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| ISSN: | 2791-4658 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Ex fonte
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.25365/exf-2025-4-23 |
