The language of the liturgy of the early Church and its development or changes

[MarcoPG]

Hello,
I learned today that for about 400 years, the official language of the Church and of the liturgy was greek. I would be very happy if someone here could tell me more about this, how it developped and why today’s “official” language of the Roman Church is latin, and also for the liturgy. Merely a fact of geography?

Thank you

 

[ProVobis]

There are several books on the subject.

I recommend:

A Natural History of Latin, by Tore Janson

Latin Alive; the Survival of Latin in English and the Romance Languages

Story of a World Language Latin, by Jurgen Leonhardt

 

[YoungTradCath]

I am not so sure it would be “officially,” rather, it was used because of custom and the fact that it was widespread in the Church.

 

[MarcoPG]

I am not so sure it would be “officially,” rather, it was used because of custom and the fact that it was widespread in the Church.

Is it possible then, that the language of the Church would have been latin (it is Rome after all), but greek the language of the liturgy, because the international language back then? I am just guessing

 

[ProVobis]

Is it possible then, that the language of the Church would have been latin (it is Rome after all), but greek the language of the liturgy, because the international language back then? I am just guessing

It is to be remembered that it was the Greeks who codified the Latin grammar and vocabulary (Cicero et al) and many Greeks eventually wrote in it. Classical Latin was the language of the military and administration and was not as mutable as the vernacular so it made perfect sense to Christianize the language and make it the language of Church documents, scripture, and the liturgy. In fact there is every evidence that the Roman Canon (and EP1), used today, was written in Latin. As were many of the other TIMELESS prayers.

 

[YoungTradCath]

Is it possible then, that the language of the Church would have been latin (it is Rome after all), but greek the language of the liturgy, because the international language back then? I am just guessing

Perhaps, however, there were non-Roman Christians back then just like there are non-Latin (Roman Christians—>Latin Church roughly) Christians today.

 

[MarcoPG]

It is to be remembered that it was the Greeks who codified the Latin grammar and vocabulary (Cicero et al) and many Greeks eventually wrote in it. Classical Latin was the language of the military and administration and was not as mutable as the vernacular so it made perfect sense to Christianize the language and make it the language of Church documents, scripture, and the liturgy. In fact there is every evidence that the Roman Canon (and EP1), used today, was written in Latin. As were many of the other TIMELESS prayers.

Yes that was clear in my mind.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

The New Testament was written in Greek, the early liturgy was in Greek because that was the international language of literate people at the time. Rome and the Western Church eventually adopted Latin because that was their language. The Eastern Catholic Churches still use Greek in their liturgy today. It has just so happened that the Western, Latin Rite Church has become much more numerous than the Eastern Churches.

 

[MarcoPG]

The New Testament was written in Greek, the early liturgy was in Greek because that was the international language of literate people at the time. Rome and the Western Church eventually adopted Latin because that was their language. The Eastern Catholic Churches still use Greek in their liturgy today. It has just so happened that the Western, Latin Rite Church has become much more numerous than the Eastern Churches.

I understand that greek was the international language of the roman Empire. But then, since the Church in Rome changed to latin for mere practical reasons, why has the latin remained until today in the official documents, and why is the latin mass regarded as special? Why does the Roman Catholic Church not issue orignal doctrinal documents (not translations i mean) in any vernacular language?

 

[ProVobis]

**The nature of Latin

Of its very nature Latin is most suitable for promoting every form of culture among peoples. It gives rise to no jealousies. It does not favor any one nation, but presents itself with equal impartiality to all and is equally acceptable to all.

Nor must we overlook the characteristic nobility of Latin for mal structure. Its "concise, varied and harmonious style, full of majesty and dignity"4 makes for singular clarity and impressiveness of expression.

Preservation of Latin by the Holy See

For these reasons the Apostolic See has always been at pains to preserve Latin, deeming it worthy of being used in the exercise of her teaching authority "as the splendid vesture of her heavenly doctrine and sacred laws."5 She further requires her sacred ministers to use it, for by so doing they are the better able, wherever they may be, to acquaint themselves with the mind of the Holy See on any matter, and communicate the more easily with Rome and with one another.

Thus the “knowledge and use of this language,” so intimately bound up with the Church’s life, "is important not so much on cultural or literary grounds, as for religious reasons."6 These are the words of Our Predecessor Pius XI, who conducted a scientific inquiry into this whole subject, and indicated three qualities of the Latin language which harmonize to a remarkable degree with the Church’s nature. "For the Church, precisely because it embraces all nations and is destined to endure to the end of time … of its very nature requires** a language which is universal, immutable, and non-vernacular."7

• See more at: adoremus.org/VeterumSapientia.html#sthash.6g0RxFBy.dpuf

 

[Ad_Orientem]

I learned today that for about 400 years, the official language of the Church and of the liturgy was greek. I would be very happy if someone here could tell me more about this, how it developped and why today’s “official” language of the Roman Church is latin, and also for the liturgy. Merely a fact of geography?

We actually don’t know a lot about the early Roman liturgy. The predominant theory is that it started out in Greek and transitioned to Latin in the 3rd or 4th c., but more recent research indicates the Roman rite may always have been in Latin. If you want I can try to dig up the relevant info. Learned this some years ago from a priest who taught at a seminary.

As to why Latin, in addition to the document quoted above, see also St. John XXIII, Veterum Sapientia.