Hello!
I'm glad to know someone is actually reading this!
This blog is dedicated to the discussion of traditional Maronite liturgical practices. While I'm willing to make a blog post answering any liturgical questions pertaining to the Maronite tradition, I intend the majority of this blog to be focused on one very specific scope: the Sh'himtho.
The Sh'himtho is the book that contains our tradition's offices. So what about it? There has never been a comprehensive English translation of our offices from the original Syriac text. While there have been attempts at creating abridged versions no one has taken the time to translate the offices from the original. In response to this deficiency, this blog will follow the progress of my translation of the Sh'himtho (the text particular texts I use as sources are the 1904 reprint, the 1896 choir version and the 1935 version). I will post my translated texts to be freely download via Google Drive (linked in the 'Office Texts' tab found right where you clicked this 'About' section) as well as small reflections in the blog space related to the liturgical texts.
If you're wondering about the name of this blog (Beth Gazo), it's Syriac for Treasury (lit. House of Treasure). Liturgically, it refers to the collection of melodies that are essential for singing the offices. Syriac tradition did not create a system of musical notation like the West, but instead just lists the name of a hymn that the melody is almost the same to so the collection of these melodies are the Treasury. In prayer, the Beth Gazo refers to God's abundance of mercy and compassion.
If you're wondering about the name of this blog (Beth Gazo), it's Syriac for Treasury (lit. House of Treasure). Liturgically, it refers to the collection of melodies that are essential for singing the offices. Syriac tradition did not create a system of musical notation like the West, but instead just lists the name of a hymn that the melody is almost the same to so the collection of these melodies are the Treasury. In prayer, the Beth Gazo refers to God's abundance of mercy and compassion.
I pray this blog is for the glory of God and the edification of our souls through the beautiful prayers it shall discuss!
Personal use of the information on this blog is encouraged; however, if you intend to distribute or post, whether modified or unmodified, content that appears on this blog it requires my explicit written permission. Please do not violate intellectual property and copyright laws - if you are using any text found on this blog without my permission outside personal use you are in violation of said laws.
Personal use of the information on this blog is encouraged; however, if you intend to distribute or post, whether modified or unmodified, content that appears on this blog it requires my explicit written permission. Please do not violate intellectual property and copyright laws - if you are using any text found on this blog without my permission outside personal use you are in violation of said laws.
Dear friend: may God bless and prosper you in your work for Him. Though I am Byzantine Rite, I have been delighted to discover the Maronite tradition - through learning about SS. Charbel, Nimatullah and Rafqa. Having searched the Internet for material on the Divine Office in the Maronite Rite (the Office is a long-term research interest), I came across your page this morning. Would it be possible, please, to have access to the the links/texts. This is truly a tremendous resource you have shared with the world! Thank you, in anticipation! Andrew Hall (scotchlil)
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ReplyDeleteAn obsolute treasure. Thank You
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