Sunday, May 24, 2026

Liturgical Aspects of J. J. Overbeck’s Project of Revival of the Western Rite in Orthodoxy

A. A. Chumichev

This article is devoted to an insufficiently-studied page in the history of interconfessional relations in the second half of the nineteenth century: the project for the revival of Western Orthodoxy proposed by the German theologian living in England, J. J. Overbeck. Overbeck may rightly be regarded as a very enigmatic and undeservedly forgotten figure. At different times this theologian was a representative of three Christian confessions at once: Catholicism, Protestantism, and then Orthodoxy. Overbeck’s project is a unique phenomenon in the history of universal Orthodoxy, since it was he who first advanced the idea of using the Western rite within the Orthodox Church, in which for many centuries after the Great Schism only the Eastern rite had been practiced. In the 1870s, the plan put forward by Overbeck aroused unprecedented interest, and then support, on the part of the Holy Synod of the Russian Church. One of the chief questions on which a special Synodal commission worked was the discussion of the order of service he had compiled for the Orthodox Mass (Liturgia Missae Orthodoxo-Catholicae Occidentalis). This article touches upon the liturgical aspect of Overbeck’s project, examines the work of the commission of the Holy Synod on the text of the liturgy of the Western Orthodox Church, and also on certain other liturgical traditions that were intended for use in communities of Western-Rite Orthodoxy.

 

 

The project for establishing in England, and then throughout Europe, Orthodox communities practicing the Western liturgical rite for Anglicans and Catholics who had decided to convert to Orthodoxy was first officially presented to the Holy Synod of the Russian Church in January 1870. The author and chief inspiration behind this idea, which was without exaggeration revolutionary for the Orthodox Church, was the German scholar and theologian J. J. Overbeck. The uniqueness of the plan proposed by Overbeck consisted in the fact that it touched upon the problem of the universality of Orthodox doctrine. For Overbeck and his supporters, the chief idea was the preservation of the Western rite as the fruit of the activity of the saints of the ancient Western Church, reflecting the mentality of the peoples of Western Europe.

Julius Joseph Overbeck (1821–1905) was a Catholic priest and doctor of theology and philosophy who, on the eve of the First Vatican Council, protesting against centralization within the Catholic Church and the introduction of new dogmas, converted to Protestantism [1] and married. [2]

Scholarly interests compelled Overbeck to move with his family to Great Britain, where, in the 1860s, a number of his works on the history of the Ancient Church and the Syriac Holy Fathers were published in Oxford. According to the theologian’s own recollections, it was precisely the study of history that led him and his like-minded associates to the realization of the truth of Orthodoxy and of the authenticity of Orthodox doctrine as the doctrine of the Ancient Church, in contrast to other Christian confessions which, in their opinion, had lost this authenticity over the course of time. [3] Overbeck and his supporters decided to join Orthodoxy, but at the same time, to obtain from the Orthodox side permission to preserve the Western liturgical rite, which, in their opinion, would mean the revival of Western Orthodoxy as it had existed before the Great Schism. Overbeck’s supporters saw the realization of their ideas in rapprochement with the Russian Church.

In the 1860s, in London, the theologian became acquainted with the rector of the Dormition Church attached to the Russian Imperial Embassy, Archpriest Eugene Popov. In 1869, Overbeck was received by him into Orthodoxy through the sacrament of Chrismation. After his conversion to Orthodoxy, the theologian and his supporters sent to the Holy Synod of the Russian Church a petition requesting recognition of the possibility of celebrating the Western rite with the correction of the dogmatic errors of the Western Church. Initially the petition was signed by 106 people; [4] subsequently their number increased to 144. [5]

At the beginning of its existence, Overbeck’s project developed very rapidly and dynamically. The Synod took an interest in the theologian’s ideas. Overbeck was invited to work out his plan in detail and to come to St. Petersburg for its discussion. Archpriest Eugene Popov was instructed to accompany him personally on the journey to Russia. In order to examine the petition proposed by Overbeck, a special Synodal commission was formed in St. Petersburg, consisting of hierarchs and professors of the Saint Petersburg Theological Academy. The commission was headed by Isidore, Metropolitan of Saint Petersburg.

Let us try to trace the course of the commission’s work on the liturgical traditions that were intended for use in Orthodox communities of the Western rite, and also to answer the question of what the Holy Synod’s attitude toward the project was, and whether the members of the Synodal commission considered the realization of this idea possible. The most important topic for discussion by the commission of the Holy Synod was the project for an Orthodox liturgy of the Western rite—an Orthodox Mass—the celebration of which, according to Overbeck’s conception, was to become the central event in the realization of the project of Western Orthodoxy. Work on the text of the Orthodox Mass (Liturgia Missae Orthodoxo-Catholicae Occidentalis) was apparently begun by Overbeck immediately after his reception into Orthodoxy, still in 1869. However, during the theologian’s visit to Russia at the turn of 1869–1870, besides the text of the Mass itself, other important questions were also considered concerning the status and future liturgical practice of the communities of Western Orthodoxy. Let us dwell on this in more detail.

Liturgical Customs Intended for Use in Communities of the Orthodox Church of the Western Rite

Before his journey to St. Petersburg, Overbeck worked out the basic provisions of the Western-Rite Orthodox community he was establishing: concerning the canonical affiliation of the communities of Western Orthodoxy, the architecture and arrangement of churches, the place of the priest and the community during divine services, and also various liturgical traditions. All these questions were brought by him before the commission for discussion, and many proposals underwent substantial changes in the course of its work.

From the materials of the commission, however, it follows that its members approved in principle Overbeck’s idea concerning the possibility of the existence of different ritual forms that did not contradict Orthodox doctrine:

“Since Dr. Overbeck, in formulating his task, proceeded from a principle accepted by the Orthodox Church—to allow diversity in rites with unity of faith—the commission recognized his formulation of the task as correct, his motive as worthy of respect, his considerations as well-founded, and the rules adopted by him as guidance for the proper resolution of his task as sufficient.” [6]

The chief idea of the theologian and his supporters was not to attempt to reconstruct the Western rite in the form in which it had existed before the period of the Great Schism, but to adapt the contemporary rite of that time, cleansing it of the dogmatic distortions of the Catholic Church. [7]

The first question considered by the Synodal commission was the question of the canonical affiliation of the communities of Western Orthodoxy. This question had been discussed even before Overbeck’s arrival in Russia. According to the theologian’s proposal, the communities were initially to be subject to the Holy Synod of the Russian Church; subsequently, however, with the appearance of their own episcopate, they were to become independent national local Churches “in union of faith with the Eastern Patriarchs.” [8] This idea was approved by the commission with the following formulation:

“This close union of the newly created Western Orthodox-Catholic Church with the Eastern Church serves, not only at the present time but also in the future, as the surest and firmest guarantee of strict ecclesiastical unity and purity of faith for the newly created Orthodox Church in the West.” [9]

Church Architecture and Liturgical Vessels

The next group of questions considered by the commission was connected with the architecture of Western-rite churches. Disputes were provoked by the theologian’s ideas that the Orthodox church, in its arrangement, had preserved a greater similarity to the arrangement of the Old Testament temple, whereas Catholic churches had departed from this arrangement. Thus, the rectangular form had allegedly been replaced by the form of a cross only in the West. The commission pointed out to Overbeck that the form of the cross in the foundation of a church had first been used precisely in the Eastern Church, and not in the Western, where the form of a ship had originally been practiced. Thus, the question of church architecture was resolved in favor of preserving the existing Western architectural forms, which did not contradict the Eastern tradition.

However, the use of statues in church architecture, at Overbeck’s proposal, was prohibited; statues were to be replaced by icons. [10] The use of organ music during divine services was permitted by the commission:

“Taking into account, on the one hand, the centuries-old custom, and on the other, the indifference, from the dogmatic point of view, of the use or non-use of music during divine services, it considers it permissible to allow the use of organs during divine services in the future Orthodox churches of the West.” [11]

At the same time, certain restrictions were also adopted regarding the use of the organ, establishing distinctions between the new Western community and the practice of the Catholic Church. Thus, playing the organ could not be combined with the singing of the choir or with the exclamations of the priest and deacon; their singing likewise was not to be accompanied by organ playing. Accompaniment by organ music was permitted during the singing of the laity, in order to support the orderliness and harmony of their singing. All works of organ music that had a secular character were excluded by the commission’s decision.

The commission agreed with Overbeck’s proposal to abolish the Catholic practice of celebrating the liturgy simultaneously on several altars in one and the same church. The corporal, Latin corporale, which in the Western Church served as a certain analogue of the antimins, was proposed to be replaced by a true antimins. In addition, the commission pointed out the necessity of placing relics in the altar. Overbeck doubted the antiquity of this custom, regarding it as a later Western tradition, but he agreed with the commission’s arguments.

Overbeck’s proposal concerning the celebration of the Mass facing the people, so that the altar would stand between the parishioners and the priest, was perceived by the commission as an “innovation,” inconvenient in practice and contrary to Overbeck’s own thesis:

“...not, without extreme necessity, to trouble the popular feeling by departures from forms and rites to which the people had become accustomed, and which were not justified by any weighty reasons.” [12]

The laity were to be communicated of the Body and Blood of Christ under both kinds. In connection with this, the sacred vessels were to include: the chalice, diskos, spoon, and spear. The Eucharist was to be celebrated only on leavened bread. [13]

Liturgical Vestments

The vestments for the Orthodox Churches of the Western rite, according to Overbeck’s proposal, also had to undergo certain changes. The vestments were to become longer and to resemble ancient models. In all, five liturgical colors were established, and the times for wearing them were regulated: white was to be worn during feasts of the Lord and of the Theotokos, of the heavenly powers, holy virgins, and confessors; red during the celebration of Pentecost and in commemoration of martyrs; green on the Sunday after Theophany and Pentecost and on the weekdays of those weeks; violet was to be worn on the Sundays of Great Lent and on the days of the fast before the Nativity of Christ. [14]

Another proposal of Overbeck’s was to permit the wearing of the riassa, as in the Eastern Church, over the talar, Latin tunica talaris—the Latin analogue of the cassock. The commission approved these proposals. [15]

On the Types of Liturgies

Overbeck’s idea of abolishing the Catholic practice of classifying liturgies as “solemn,” “low,” and “private” was approved. In connection with this, many rites which Catholic liturgical practice of that time prescribed to be performed only during the celebration of the so-called solemn Mass were, by decision of the commission, recommended for use during the celebration of any liturgy. It was permitted only “to allow, on non-feast days, a more expedited celebration of the liturgy without singing, with clear and distinct pronunciation.” [16]

Discussion of the Project for the Order of Service of the Orthodox Mass

First of all, it must be noted that for Overbeck the most important aspect of the work of revising the text of the Roman Missal for the composition of the order of service of the Western Orthodox liturgy was practical, not theoretical. Since, because of the centralization of the Roman Church, all other liturgical practices had gradually been removed from use, he proposed taking as the basis for revision the contemporary text of the Roman, or Tridentine, Mass and removing from it those passages that contradicted Orthodox doctrine.

In the theologian’s opinion, the use of the Tridentine Mass was necessary because for many years it had been celebrated everywhere and was comprehensible to Western Christians. The Tridentine Mass was a continuation of the ancient Roman Missal, which had taken shape in the first centuries of Christianity’s existence. It became dominant among Roman Christians only at the end of the fourth century. For a long time, it remained only the liturgical practice of Rome and its immediate environs. The only exception was England, where the first missionaries arrived from Rome. However, with the rise of Charlemagne’s empire, the Roman liturgical tradition began to spread in Europe, displacing other liturgical practices.

Let us recall that Overbeck’s chief thesis in his work on the text of the Mass was not to carry out a reconstruction, but to use the contemporary text of the Mass. In his appeal to the Synod, he wrote:

“We strive to cleanse the Western liturgy of every trace of teaching contrary to Orthodoxy, and we have no need to enter into questions of purely archaeological antiquity.” [17]

However, in the initial version of the Mass that was presented to the Synod, it is evident that some “archaeological” work had nevertheless been carried out by him. Thus, for example, the Roman epiclesis was replaced by the more ancient epiclesis of the Mozarabic rite, which was practiced on the territory of modern Spain in the era preceding the Great Schism. More will be said about this below.

According to Overbeck, the Mass was to be celebrated not in Latin, but in the national languages. [18] However, in the materials of the Synodal commission there are no references concerning this question; the commission examined the Latin text.

Let us now turn to the corrections that were introduced by the Synodal commission into the order of service of the Roman Mass. These amendments may be divided into three groups: 1) those aimed at eliminating dogmatic positions that contradicted Orthodox doctrine; 2) those aimed at correcting inaccuracies of translation; 3) those aimed at eliminating certain rites that the commission recognized as inappropriate.

Let us consider these amendments in the order of the service.

In the Liturgy of the Catechumens, in the “prayers at the foot of the altar,” the following change was introduced: in the second part of the secret prayer pronounced by the priest: Oramus te, Domine, per merita Sanctorum tuorum, quorum reliquiae hic sunt, et omnium Sanctorum: ut indulgere digneris omnia peccata mea. Amen (“We pray Thee, O Lord, by the merits of Thy saints, whose relics are here, and of all the saints, that Thou wouldst deign to forgive all my sins. Amen”), the form of the prayer per merita Sanctorum tuorum (“by the merits of Thy saints”) was replaced by the commission with per preces Sanctorum tuorum (“through the prayers of Thy saints”), in order to exclude any mention of the Latin teaching on supererogatory merits and indulgences. Also approved was the change introduced by Overbeck into the text of the Great Doxology (Gloria in excelsis): the Greek ἐν ἀνθρώποις εὐδοκία (“good will among men”), rendered in the traditional Latin version as hominibus bonae voluntatis (“to men of good will”), was replaced with hominibus beneplacitum (“good will to men”). This version of the translation was recognized by the commission as more exact and recommended for use. [19]

The next point was the use of the Trisagion in the order of the Mass. According to Overbeck’s conception, this prayer was to testify to unity with the Eastern Orthodox Church. He placed the prayer “Holy God” after the reading of the Apostle. The commission approved the idea of using this prayer, but proposed that it be used immediately before the reading of the Apostle, since this was practiced in the Orthodox Church. According to the theologian’s idea, this prayer was to be sung twice in Greek and the third time in the national language. The practice of the deacon blessing the people (Dominus vobiscum), which the theologian had retained in composing the Mass, was annulled, since, in the commission’s opinion, this blessing could be performed only by a priest.

Also abolished was the sign of the cross made in Latin practice over the text of the Gospel before its reading, “as not being in keeping with the character of the book.” [20]

From the text of the Creed (Credo), the words Deum de Deo were excluded as a pleonasm alongside the words Deum verum de Deo vero. The commission noted that these words were likewise absent from the Greek text of the Creed in use at that time.

In the Canon of the Mass (Canon Missae), in the commission’s opinion, there occurred an excessive repetition of the sign of the cross not only over the unconsecrated Holy Gifts, but also over the consecrated Holy Gifts. “Finding such repetition over the unconsecrated Gifts superfluous, and over the consecrated Gifts inappropriate,” [21] the commission proposed that Overbeck retain the making of the sign of the cross only during the consecration itself of the Holy Gifts. In addition, the commission succeeded in convincing Overbeck to accept the form of making the sign of the cross practiced in the Eastern Church, as the more ancient one.

To the prayer Te igitur Clementissime Pater per Iesum Christum Filium Tuum (“Most merciful Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son”), the words una cum famulis Tuis patriarchis et Synudis orthodoxis (“together with Thy servants, the Orthodox Patriarchs and Synods”) were added before the words Antistite nostro NN (“and our Hierarch N.”), “as a sign of union with all the Orthodox Churches.” [22]

In the same prayer were included commemorations of the authorities of the country in which the liturgy is celebrated: after the words Memento, Domine (“Remember, O Lord”), the words Regis (Reginae) nostri, gubernii nostrii (“Remember, O Lord, our king/queen, our government”) were added, with the commission’s formulation: “in accordance with the rule of the Orthodox Church—to pray for the authorities that be.” [23]

The prayer of invocation of the Holy Spirit was borrowed by Overbeck from the Mozarabic liturgy. The epiclesis taken from the Mozarabic rite was, apparently, the most successful choice for Overbeck: on the one hand, it recalled the time when the Western rite existed merely as the fruit of the Western mentality within the common Orthodox Church; on the other hand, it recalled the time when other rites besides the Roman also existed in the Western Church. However, this prayer was found by the commission to be “not clearly expressing the meaning of the action being performed, and moreover lacking the sacred-actional formula of the Eucharistic change of the Holy Gifts.” [24] By agreement with Overbeck, it was replaced with the form of invocation and blessing used in the Orthodox Church in the epiclesis of the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. It was inserted, by analogy with the place it occupies in the Orthodox liturgy, as a continuation of the prayer of the Roman rite: Unde et memores, Domine, nos servi tui, sed et plebs tua sancta (“Wherefore also we, O Lord, Thy servants, and Thy holy people”).

The Latin translation of the epiclesis of St. John Chrysostom was made by Overbeck himself:

S. Suplices Te rogamus, omnipotens Deus: mitte Spiritum Sanctum Tuum super nos et super haec Tua dona oblata: et fac panem huni pretesiosum corpus Christi Tui (Signans super panem) P. Amen.

“Priest: We humbly beseech Thee, Almighty God: send down Thy Holy Spirit upon us and upon these Gifts here offered, and make this bread the precious Body of Thy Christ (pointing to the bread). People: Amen.”

S. (Signans super calium) Et quod in hoc Calice est pretiosum sanguinem Christi Tui. P. Amen.

“Priest (pointing to the chalice): And that which is in this Chalice, the precious Blood of Thy Christ. People: Amen.)”

S. (benedicens utrumqe donum sanctum) Transubstantiando per Spiritum Sanctum Tuum. P. Amen, Amen, Amen.

“Priest (then, blessing the Holy Gifts together): Changing them by Thy Holy Spirit. People: Amen, Amen, Amen.”

A part of the prayer Unde et memores (“Wherefore also we”), namely: donis ac datis, hostiam puram, hostiam sanctam, hostiam immaculatam, Panem sanctum vitae aeternae, et calicem salutis perpetuae (“we offer unto Thy most glorious Majesty, from Thy good things and gifts, a pure sacrifice, a holy sacrifice, an immaculate sacrifice, the holy bread of eternal life, and the chalice of everlasting salvation”), was removed by the commission without explanation of the reasons.

In addition, in the commission’s opinion, kneeling, adoration, and the elevation of the Gifts after the so-called words of institution were to be removed, “since the Eastern Church holds that the consecration of the Holy Gifts takes place only in the invocation of the Holy Spirit.” [25]

The Synod approved this project, declaring its readiness to support Overbeck’s plan with all its authority and to assist him in every way. Subsequently, in 1871, the text of the Mass was published in the journal issued by Overbeck, Orthodox Catholic Review. Having received initial approval from the Holy Synod, Overbeck and his supporters began work on translating liturgical books, orders of service, and prayers into English, among which were: the Octoechos, [26] the Hours, [27] akathists to the Savior [28] and to the Mother of God, [29] the Canon before Communion, the prayers of thanksgiving after Holy Communion, [30] the Great Penitential Canon of Andrew of Crete, [31] the Penitential Canon to our Lord Jesus Christ, [32] the Order of Services for Great Friday [33] and Great Saturday, [34] the service to the Holy Great Martyr Alban, Protomartyr of Britain, [35] and a number of other prayers.

Before many of the translations there was placed information about the existing practice of using the particular order of service being translated in the liturgical tradition of the Orthodox Church. Thus, before the Great Penitential Canon of St. Andrew of Crete, the life of this saint was published, the liturgical works composed by him were described, and an account was also given of the practice of the Orthodox Church in using this canon during Great Lent.

The purpose of the translations was to prepare liturgical texts for use in the Western Orthodox Church being created, and also to bring this Church closer to the spiritual tradition of the East by adapting it to local practice. [36]

Summing up everything said above, one may conclude that, in its work on adapting the liturgical practice of the Roman Church for use in the communities of Western-Rite Orthodoxy, the Synodal commission affirmed, as its chief principle, the principle proposed by Overbeck: the preservation, where this did not contradict Orthodox doctrine, of the practices of the Roman Church that existed at that time. In the most significant questions, however, such as, for example, the arrangement of the altar, it was decided to bring the Western tradition as close as possible to the Eastern. In composing the text of the Orthodox Mass, Overbeck adhered to two principles: 1) maximum closeness of the source text to the Western mentality, which is precisely why the text of the Tridentine Mass was taken as the basis; 2) correction of this text from dogmatic inaccuracies that reflected Catholic doctrine. In this connection, the order of service of the Mass, after the joint work of Overbeck and the commission, represented a synthesis of the liturgical practice of the Catholic Church and the theological-liturgical principles of the Orthodox Church. The changes introduced by Dr. Overbeck and the Synodal commission into the initial text of the Roman Missal affected practically all its parts; the greatest changes, however, concerned the anaphora, which, through the inclusion in it of the epiclesis of St. John Chrysostom, was brought as close as possible to the tradition of the Eastern Church.

The support given to Overbeck’s project by the Synod of the Russian Church gave impetus to the further development of the idea of the revival of Western Orthodoxy. The theologian’s supporters carried out extensive work on the translation of liturgical texts intended for use in Western-rite communities.

Thanks to archival data, one may conclude that, at the time when the plan presented by Overbeck was being examined, the members of the commission of the Holy Synod were convinced that the project of Western Orthodoxy could be implemented and that the idea of using the Western rite in the Orthodox Church was possible. In this connection, the reasons why the project was not realized remain a mystery and require special study.

 

NOTES

1. Huber P. Jenseits von Ost und West. Berlin, 2006, p. 35.

2. Kahle W. Westliche Orthodoxie: Leben und Ziele Julian Joseph Overbecks. Cologne, 1968, p. 16.

3. Abramtsov D. Dr. J. J. Overbeck and His Scheme for the Re-establishment of the Orthodox Church in the West. A.B., University of Pittsburgh, 1959, p. 4.

4. Kopylova E. A. “The Overbeck Case” in the Life of the Saint Petersburg Department of the Society of Lovers of Spiritual Enlightenment // Bulletin of V. N. Tatishchev Volga University. Series “Humanities and Education.” Issue 4 (14), vol. II. Tolyatti, 2013, p. 172.

5. RGIA. Fond 796. Inventory 150. File 638. On the Establishment of a Special Commission for the Examination of Petitions Received from Persons of the Anglican Church. Fol. 132.

6. RGIA. Fond 797. Inventory 205. File 396. Journals of the Commission attached to the Synod for the Examination of Dr. Overbeck’s Proposal concerning the Creation of an Orthodox English Church. Fol. 27.

7. Kahle W. Westliche Orthodoxie: Leben und Ziele Julian Joseph Overbecks. Cologne, 1968, p. 63.

8. RGIA. Fond 797. Inventory 205. File 396. Journals of the Commission attached to the Synod for the Examination of Dr. Overbeck’s Proposal concerning the Creation of an Orthodox English Church. Fol. 23.

9. Ibid.

10. Overbeck J. J. “The Indisputable Advantages of the Orthodox Catholic Church over Other Christian Confessions” // Christian Reading. 1883. Nos. 3–4, p. 418.

11. RGIA. Fond 797. Inventory 205. File 396. Journals of the Commission attached to the Synod for the Examination of Dr. Overbeck’s Proposal concerning the Creation of an Orthodox English Church. Fol. 27.

12. Ibid., fol. 27 verso.

13. Overbeck J. J. “The Orthodox Catholic Church. A Protest against the Papal Church and a Return to the Foundation of Catholic National Churches,” by J. J. Overbeck, Doctor of Theology and Philosophy // Christian Reading. 1868. No. 12, p. 822.

14. Manuscript Department of the Russian State Library. Fond 172. Box 467. Archival unit 2. Overbeck J. J. Liturgia Missae Orthodoxo-Catholicae Occidentalis. Lithograph with marginal notes by Arseny, Metropolitan of Kiev. Fol. 68.

15. RGIA. Fond 797. Inventory 205. File 396. Journals of the Commission attached to the Synod for the Examination of Dr. Overbeck’s Proposal concerning the Creation of an Orthodox English Church. Fol. 27 verso.

16. Ibid., fol. 27.

17. Manuscript Department of the Russian State Library. Fond 172. Box 467. Archival unit 2. Overbeck J. J. Liturgia Missae Orthodoxo-Catholicae Occidentalis. Lithograph with marginal notes by Arseny, Metropolitan of Kiev. Fol. 32.

18. Overbeck J. J. “The Providential Position of Orthodox Russia and Her Calling to Restore the Orthodox Western Catholic Church” // Christian Reading. 1870. No. 1, p. 173.

19. Manuscript Department of the Russian State Library. Fond 172. Box 467. Archival unit 2. Overbeck J. J. Liturgia Missae Orthodoxo-Catholicae Occidentalis. Lithograph with marginal notes by Arseny, Metropolitan of Kiev. Fol. 33 verso.

20. Ibid.

21. Ibid.

22. Ibid., fol. 34 verso.

23. Manuscript Department of the Russian State Library. Fond 172. Box 467. Archival unit 2. Overbeck J. J. Liturgia Missae Orthodoxo-Catholicae Occidentalis. Lithograph with marginal notes by Arseny, Metropolitan of Kiev. Fol. 34.

24. Manuscript Department of the Russian State Library. Fond 172. Box 467. Archival unit 2, fol. 34.

25. Ibid., fol. 34 verso.

26. Shann G. V. The First Tone of the Octoёchos // The Orthodox Catholic Review (далее —OCR.) / J. J. Overbeck, ed. L., 1877. Vol. VI. P. 109-144.

27. Shann G. V. Divine and Sacred Horology // OCR / J. J. Overbeck, ed. L., 1879. Vol. VIII. P. 162–191.

28. Shann G. V. The Suppliant Canon to our Lord Jesus Christ // OCR / J. J. Overbeck, ed. L., 1876. Vol. V. P. 102–117.

29. Shann G. V. The Offi ce of the Acathistos Hymn to the Mother of God // OCR / J. J. Overbeck, ed. L., 1875. Vol. IV. P. 117.

30. Shann G. V. Offi ce of the divine Metalepsis, or devotions for the Holy Communion // OCR / J. J. Overbeck, ed. L., 1876. Vol. IV. P. 192–216.

31. The Great canon of S. Andrew of Creete, surnamed the Jerusalemite (translated by L.K.L) // OCR / J. J. Overbeck, ed. L., 1875. Vol. IV. P. 35–50.

32. Shann G. V. The Suppliant Canon to our Lord Jesus Christ // OCR / J. J. Overbeck, ed. L., 1877. Vol. V. P. 95.

33. Shann G. V. Four-and-twenty Stanzas to the Holy Cross // OCR / J. J. Overbeck, ed. L., 1878. Vol. V. P. 102–117.

34. Shann G. V. The Order of the office for the Holy and Great Sunday of Easter / Translated from the Slavonic by the late Rev. Basil Popoff, and revised by G.V. Shann // OCR / J. J. Overbeck, ed. L., 1878. Vol. III. P. 97–119.

35. Office of the Holly Great Martyr Alban, Protomartyr of Britain of Britain. Modelled on ancient pattern by J. T. S., M. D. // OCR / J. J. Overbeck, ed. L.,1876. Vol. III. P. 83–95.

36. Overbeck J. J. The Western Orthodox Catholic Church // OCR / J. J. Overbeck, ed. L., 1871. Vol. III. P. 49.

 

Sources

Overbeck J. J. “The Indisputable Advantages of the Orthodox Catholic Church over Other Christian Confessions” // Christian Reading. 1883. Nos. 3–4.

Overbeck J. J. “The Orthodox Catholic Church. A Protest against the Papal Church and a Return to the Foundation of Catholic National Churches,” by J. J. Overbeck, Doctor of Theology and Philosophy // Christian Reading. 1868. No. 12.

Manuscript Department of the Russian State Library. Fond 172. Box 467. Archival unit 2. Overbeck J. J. Liturgia Missae Orthodoxo-Catholicae Occidentalis. Lithograph with marginal notes by Arseny, Metropolitan of Kiev.

RGIA. Fond 796. Inventory 150. File 638. On the Establishment of a Special Commission for the Examination of Petitions Received from Persons of the Anglican Church.

RGIA. Fond 797. Inventory 205. File 396. Journals of the Commission attached to the Synod for the Examination of Dr. Overbeck’s Proposal concerning the Creation of an Orthodox English Church.

Office of the Holy Great Martyr Alban, Protomartyr of Britain. Modelled on ancient pattern by J. T. S., M.D. // OCR / J. J. Overbeck, ed. London, 1876. Vol. III, pp. 83–95.

Shann G. V. “Four-and-Twenty Stanzas to the Holy Cross” // OCR / J. J. Overbeck, ed. London, 1878. Vol. V, pp. 102–117.

Shann G. V. “The Order of the Office for the Holy and Great Sunday of Easter.” Translated from the Slavonic by the late Rev. Basil Popoff, and revised by G. V. Shann // OCR / J. J. Overbeck, ed. London, 1878. Vol. III, pp. 97–119.

Shann G. V. “The Suppliant Canon to Our Lord Jesus Christ” // OCR / J. J. Overbeck, ed. London, 1877. Vol. V, pp. 95–102.

Shann G. V. “Divine and Sacred Horology” // OCR / J. J. Overbeck, ed. London, 1879. Vol. VIII, pp. 162–191.

Shann G. V. “Office of the Divine Metalepsis, or Devotions for Holy Communion” // OCR / J. J. Overbeck, ed. London, 1876. Vol. IV, pp. 192–216.

Shann G. V. “The First Tone of the Octoechos” // The Orthodox Catholic Review (OCR) / J. J. Overbeck, ed. London, 1877. Vol. VI, pp. 109–144.

Shann G. V. “The Suppliant Canon to Our Lord Jesus Christ” // OCR / J. J. Overbeck, ed. London, 1876. Vol. V, pp. 102–117.

“The Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete, Surnamed the Jerusalemite,” translated by L. K. L. // OCR / J. J. Overbeck, ed. London, 1875. Vol. IV, pp. 35–50.

 

Bibliography

Kopylova E. A. “The Overbeck Case” in the Life of the Saint Petersburg Department of the Society of Lovers of Spiritual Enlightenment // Bulletin of V. N. Tatishchev Volga University. Series “Humanities and Education.” Issue 4 (14), vol. II. Tolyatti, 2013, pp. 167–178.

Abramtcev D. Dr. J. J. Overbeck and His Scheme for the Re-establishment of the Orthodox Church in the West. University of Pittsburgh, 1959.

Huber P. Jenseits von Ost und West. Berlin, 2006.

Kahle W. Westliche Orthodoxie: Leben und Ziele Julian Joseph Overbecks. Cologne, 1968.

 

Russian source: St. Tikhon’s University Review, Series II: History. Russian Church History. 2017, Vol. 78., pp. 83–94.

 


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