The Small Doxology - Catholic vs. Orthodox Translation

[Errham]

This is something that I’ve been wondering about for a while. There is a significant difference between the traditional Catholic ending (as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever, world without end) and the traditional Orthodox ending (both now and ever and unto the ages of ages). The Latin version does include the phrase “sicut erat in principio”, " as it was in the beginning", which makes it a more accurate form for Catholic liturgics. The problem is the ending. From what I’ve read, “in saecula saeculorum” is actually a contextual loan-phrase from Greek, and “unto the ages of ages” is a much more accurate translation than “world without end”. What’s more, according to Wikipedia the traditional translation actually has its origins in the KJV. Is there any truth to these claims?

 

[ByzCathCantor]

This is something that I’ve been wondering about for a while. There is a significant difference between the traditional Catholic ending (as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever, world without end) and the traditional Orthodox ending (both now and ever and unto the ages of ages). The Latin version does include the phrase “sicut erat in principio”, " as it was in the beginning", which makes it a more accurate form for Catholic liturgics. The problem is the ending. From what I’ve read, “in saecula saeculorum” is actually a contextual loan-phrase from Greek, and “unto the ages of ages” is a much more accurate translation than “world without end”. What’s more, according to Wikipedia the traditional translation actually has its origins in the KJV. Is there any truth to these claims?

Errham - a good study topic!

My understanding - “unto the ages of ages” is considered to be a more accurate translation of the Greek source text and is common in many modern English translations of Eastern Rite Liturgies, Catholic and Orthodox.

The construct “now and ever” includes the present and “at all times”, which would be from the beginning.

 

[G_S]

I actually heard that “world without end” could be traced back to Henry VIII! The Liturgy of the Hours is somewhat more accurate when it says, “and will be forever.” The Per Ipsum at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer ends “per omnia saecula saeculorum.” “Through all the ages of ages.” It is rendered into English as “forever and ever.” Pretty accurate. “World without end” even seemed odd to me as a child but it’s so stuck in the consciousness of English-speaking Catholics that it will probably remain as the devotional version. It is not the liturgical version, however.