Texier, Charles; Pullan, Richard P.: Byzantine architecture illustrated by examples of edifices erected in the East during the earliest ages of christianity (London, 1864)

G9

THE CEREMONIES

OF THE PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

OW that we have explained the general arrangements of the Byzantine
Church, we will endeavour to describe the ceremonies instituted by the
primitive Christians, and the conditions imposed upon those who wished to
enjoy the felicity promised to the elect, and to be admitted within the
enclosure of the Christian temple. It will be neither unimportant nor
uninteresting to investigate the rules and customs which in primitive
times were common to the whole Church, but which were soon abandoned
in the West, though preserved in the East until an epoch comparatively modern; for they
explain the arrangements of certain Eastern churches, which cannot be easily compre-
hended by those who are only acquainted with the usages of the Latin Church.

While pursuing this subject, we have added somewhat to the information obtained from
Byzantine authors, by introducing facts that have been gleaned from conversations with the
Greek priests of the East.

Let us inquire into the mental and spiritual condition of the inhabitants of the Homan
empire at the time that Christianity appeared. Pagan philosophy had no attractions for
patricians satiated with power and wealth, nor could it afford hope to plebeians bent under
the yoke of slavery. Both high and low in the social scale, there was a profound discouragement.
The theatres and the games ‘ scarcely diverted the effete population; and intellectual pleasures
appeared to them too insipid. Theatrical performances, both of tragedy and comedy, fell by
degrees into complete discredit. Heathen divinities were made to appear upon the stage, lor
the purpose of exciting the ridicule of the populace. “ Tell me, is it your actors or your gods
that make you laugh ? ” asked Tertullian.1 And Theophilus, Patriarch of Antioch in the 2nd
century, says: “It is not lawful for us to hear related the adulteries of men and of gods,

which the comedians, allured by the hope of gain, make known with the greatest glee.”
Theatrical performances were proscribed by the Fathers of the Church. The first anathema
against actors is contained in the G2nd canon of the Council of Elvira, held in the year
305: “If the comedians wish to embrace the Christian faith, we ordain that they first

renounce their course of life, and afterwards they may be admitted.” And in Canon 67: —

“ It is unlawful for the wives and daughters of the faithful to marry comedians; and if there
be any who are married to such, let them be excommunicated.”

Thus the state of theatrical performances at the commencement of our era was one of
the strongest symptoms of the approaching fall of paganism. At that time the glorious sound
of the Gospel proclaimed liberty to the slave and future happiness to the patrician satiated
with riches: no wonder it produced such mighty results. Philosophers were stupefied to find
obscure men from Judaea make known in simple language the promise of a future state, which
they themselves had been unable to foresee. Christians acquired in a short time a singular

1 Apologue, cli. xv.

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