RT Article
T1 Episcopal Ordination by Imposition of Gospel Book: An Enquiry into Origins
JF Ex fonte
VO 4
SP 505
OP 531
A1 Stewart-Sykes, Alistair
LA English
YR 2025
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1947572938
AB 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.
K1 Antiochene Liturgy
K1 Traditio Apostolica
K1 Apostolic Constitutions
K1 Enthronement
K1 Imposition of hands
K1 Imposition of the Gospel Book
K1 Episcopal ordination
DO 10.25365/exf-2025-4-23