Tuesday, 6 November 2012

Kyrie Eleison


Originally, the Mass in Eastern Europe, where it started, was celebrated in Greek.

With time, as Christianity spread further West into Europe it was celebrated in Latin.

And as time moved on, it is now celebrated in English, or whichever language is spoken in the Country where Mass is celebrated.

Except for three words which have survived time and are still from the original Greek Mass.

Kyrie Eleison
Christe Eleison

Meaning "Lord have mercy" and "Christ have mercy".

It is important to remember that by "Lord", or "Sir" we do not mean that we look up to Our Lord as some Master or Ruler. In this context, the word "Kyrie" means "Lord" in the sense of a child looking up to one's loving parent and asking for help, love, guidance and protection.

So when we sing at Mass "Kyrie Eleison" we look up to God our loving Father and ask Him to be always by our side and have mercy on us. And we call upon Christ His Son, in the same prayer.

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8 comments:

  1. Amy6 November 2012 at 07:22

    Your explaination of the Kyrie Eleison confirms again how beautiful the mass is. Thank you Victor!

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  2. Victor S E Moubarak6 November 2012 at 11:09

    Thank you Amy for your visit and comment. It's always nice to see you visiting here.

    God bless.

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  3. Lisa Maria7 November 2012 at 03:27

    Beautiful...thanks for sharing! Praising God for the wonderful traditions of our Church.

    God bless you Victor!

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  4. Sarah7 November 2012 at 18:10

    I did not know this. Thank you for explaining this. This is a daily prayer of mine, in English. It sounds beautiful in the Greek.

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    Replies
    1. Victor S E Moubarak8 November 2012 at 05:16

      Yes Sarah, I like the Greek version too.

      God bless you.

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  5. Barbara Schoeneberger10 November 2012 at 09:26

    The Kyrie in Greek and the refrain during the Good Friday Reproaches (Agios O Theos, etc.)seem to be the only two sets of Greek prayers that have been carried into the Latin rite. The Ordinary Form doesn't have the Reproaches sung in Latin, which includes the matching Greek/Latin refrain. If you heard it you would weep. But then, the Reproaches always bring tears to my eyes. Our sacred liturgy really is very precious to the soul.

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  6. Victor S E Moubarak10 November 2012 at 15:13

    That's true Barbara. I do love the Kyrie sung in Greek, and the Gloria in Latin.

    God bless.

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