THE COMMEMORATION OF THE ARCHANGELS IN THE PRE-LENTEN PERIOD ACCORDING TO THE NEW IADGARI

Abstract

Important sources to the hymnographic tradition of the Jerusalem rite have been preserved in the Georgian language (Jerusalem Lectionary, the Old Iadgari, the New Iadgari). The manuscripts of New Iadgari represent a significant stage in the development of the liturgical rite.

This article investigates the commemoration of the Holy Archangels during the pre-Lenten period according to the New Iadgari. Drawing on manuscript evidence from several Georgian sources preserved at Sinai (Sin. Geo 1, 14, 26, 34, 59, 64–65), the study demonstrates that certain manuscripts assign the commemoration of the Archangels to Cheese-fare Friday.

The article analyzes the structure and content of the Archangel hymns in the New Iadgari, examining variations among manuscript redactions, particularly the presence or absence of the relevant hymn cycles. In the Old Greek and Syriac versions, the commemoration of the Archangels is not indicated on Cheese-fare Friday; however, the Greek source assigns a panegyri for Michael the Archangel to June 6, which, from a textual perspective, shows a notable affinity with the Georgian version. In contrast, the Georgian manuscripts preserve compositions dedicated to both Michael and Gabriel.

The study employs philological, comparative, and liturgical-historical methodologies and includes an English translation of the hymnographic material from Sin. Geo 1. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of the evolution of local liturgical traditions within the Jerusalem rite and underscore the significance of Georgian sources for reconstructing the early medieval hymnographic landscape of the Christian East.

Keywords: New Iadgari, hymnography, liturgics, pre-Lenten period, commemoration of the Archangels