medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Preface (5)
We come at last to the concluding formula of the Preface, which Ward
and Johnson call the eschatocol. It would be irrelevant to point out
that this is an anagram of "cool she-cat." The eschatocol leads into
the Sanctus, the song of the seraphim, and therefore alludes to the
heavenly beings. There are several variant forms of the formula. I have
to hand the "Tridentine" Latin Mass; those who have editions to hand of
earlier, medieval uses such as the Sarum, may wish to report on any
variations. But in the edition at hand, the eschatocol for Christmas
Day runs as follows:
Et ideo cum Angelis et Archangelis, cum Thronis et Dominationibus,
cumque omni militia cælestis exercitus, hymnum gloriæ tuæ canimus, sine
fine dicentes: [Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus ...]
"And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and
Dominations, and with all the company of the heavenly host, we sing the
hymn of your glory, saying without end:"
Thrones and Dominations are two orders of angels. The names of these
orders of angels are derived principally from two scriptural texts,
Ephesians 1:21 and Colossians 1:16:
"Far above every rule and authority and power and dominion, and above
every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which
is to come;"
"Whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities."
To these were added the Seraphim of Isaiah 6:2 and the Cherubim of
Ezekiel 1:5.
Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite (also known as Dionysius the
pseudo-Areopagite) in his 'Celestial Hierarchies' arranged them in
three hierarchies containing three choirs each, namely Seraphim,
Cherubim, and Thrones; Domination, Virtues, and Powers; Principalities,
Archangels, and Angels.
Some of you may know the fine hymn by Athelstan Riley; the "Watchers
and Holy Ones" of the first line derive from the Book of Daniel:
Ye watchers and ye holy ones,
Bright Seraphs, Cherubim and Thrones,
Raise the glad strain, Alleluya!
Cry out, Dominions, Princedoms, Powers,
Virtues, Archangels, Angels' choirs,
Alleluya, Alleluya, Alleluya, Alleluya, Alleluya!
You may also know the words of Satan to his rebellions angels in
Milton's "Paradise Lost":
"Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers" (X 460).
All the various orders seem to get a mention in one or other of the
prefaces, as we shall see.
Bill.
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