Book Review: Fr. Sylvester Pudichery, C.M.I.: Ramsa An Analysis and Interpretation of theChaldean VespersBangalore; Dharmaram College; 1972; 50+206pp.The work contains interesting schemas inside the text as well as in the appendices; the prefaces of the hudraare translated in the appendices. An extensive bibliography and index are provided. The book has a numberof disturbing (sometimes comic) spelling mistakes in the bibliography, in the table of contents: 'fast' (feast)of Epiphany; "companion" (comparison), "it is a fast" (fact), etc. The division in the book is also confusing:the author could better have explained part after part in the office of ramsa. Now we have to search for onetopic in several places of the book. In following summary we have adopted a more logical structure,regrouping some chapters.Introduction. The Divine Office. Divine Office is the voice of Christ's spouse, her sacrifice of praise. In it weconsecrate our whole day to God. Jews prayed thrice a day. Christians added to that vigils. The prayers atmorning and evening were more obligatory. Monasticism developed its formation as a common office. Bythe participation of clerics it became liturgical.PART 1. - Chapter 1. Analysis and Interpretation of the Chaldean VespersCard. Tisserant (preface to Hudra): "The venerable antiquity, the richness and marvellous beauty of the riteof the East-Syrians do not require proof nor confirmation because they are known to everybody; with greatwonder and admiration all those who are experts in the knowledge of Eastern rites testify with one accordthat this rite has kept and faithfully transmitted the ancient tradition of the common prayer of the ChristianChurch. This is the reason which moves and excites the Apostolic See to preserve fully all the wonderfulrites of the Easterns, which as select stones, are fixed in the crown of Jesus, the great King." Elias XII:"Portions are composed by mar Simeon Bar Sabbai, mar Ephraem, and St. Jacob of Nisibis. Mar Simeon(+341...
159
1