The bcp in english made its first appearance in 1549 with revisions following in. The book of common prayer, as printed by john baskerville this document is intended to exactly reproduce the 1662 book of common prayer as printed by john baskerville in 1762. Ill try to shed some light on this based upon my experience. People interested in anglican church history and lit. American readers need to realize that, although the 1662 prayer book is the classic anglican form that is still used in england, it was replaced in the united states in 1786 by a form that was closer to the 1549 book. The book of common prayer, this document is intended to. I was wondering, what do you think about the 1662 book of common prayer. Although the book of common prayer is the most apparent mark of anglican identity, it has undergone many revisions and wears national guises. Why is the catholic church cannibalising the book of. The rite in use at the service was that of the 1662 edition of the book of common prayer. You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with christians all over the world. Comfortable words draws together some of the world s leading liturgical scholars and historians who offer a comprehensive and accessible study of the prayer book and its impact on both church and society over the last three and a half centuries. The book of common prayer of 1662 included the thirtynine articles.
Anglican liturgical piety has been rooted in the prayer book tradition since the publication of the first english prayer book in 1549. The thirtynine articles were finalised in 1571, and incorporated into the book of common prayer. The son, which is the word of the father, begotten from everlasting of the father, the very and eternal god, and of one substance with the father, took mans nature in the womb of the blessed virgin, of her substance. Welcome to christian forums, a forum to discuss christianity in a friendly surrounding. Close the anglican book of common prayer, the liturgical and literary masterpiece that along with the playwright and the landmark bible helped shape the english language, marks its 350th anniversary this year. The solution to our problem presented itself during an 8. As armentrout and slocum note in their episcopal dictionary of the church, that anglican liturgical piety has been rooted in the prayer book tradition since the publication. In africa and asia today, the strength of the anglican churches there is partly due to the translations of the 1662 prayer book, which do not sound archaic in the way that the original english version now does.
Albans anglican church in copenhagen, denmark, in the summer of the year 2001. A lot of us have a lot of learning to do if were going to live up to what. It itself is the result of more than a century of liturgical. I do use catholic prayer books, particularly the little office of the blessed virgin. Hearkening back to its early history, the church of england is still linked with the british state in a way in which most anglican provinces are not. The acc uses the 1928 as its standard for devotional practice, and as a basis for worship. They are printed in the book of common prayer and other anglican prayer books. Book of common prayer, 1662 christianity knowledge base. This was a concession to traditionalist sentiment, but it was protestantism that predominated, and when the prayer book was revised again in 1662 this was reinforced. In 1978, the anglican church of australia produced a prayer book for use in conjunction with the standard anglican book of common prayer 1662.
Perhaps contrary to popular belief, the book of common prayer bcp has not remained unchanged since its first publication during the turmoil of the reformation in the 16th and 17th centuries. While having a prayer book is not unique to the anglican tradition, the book of common prayer bcp remains unparalleled in christendom with respect to its formation of the prayer lives of clergy and laity. Book of common prayer church of ireland a member of. The 1662 book of common prayer by church of england. First authorized for use in the church of england in 1549, it was radically revised in 1552, with subsequent minor revisions in 1559, 1604, and 1662.
A biblicaltheological richness flows off the pages of the bcp in ways that other traditions cannot claim. The green book of common prayer 1662 but in contemporary. The prayer book society has produced a series of videos which can be used by anyone seeking guidance on how to. In 1549, the first book of common prayer was compiled by thomas cranmer, who was then archbishop of canterbury. For use together with the book of common prayer 1662 and an australian prayer book 1978. If, then, anything has a claim to be considered genuinely anglican, it is that theology which is expressed in the thirtynine articles of religion, the book of common prayer and the book of. Although not the end of the struggle between catholic and protestant monarchs and citizens, the book helped to standardise the english language, and was to have a lasting effect on religion in the united kingdom and elsewhere through its wide use. The earliest work, published in 1549, was the first prayer book to contain the complete forms of service for daily and sunday worship in the english language. The prayer book society has produced a series of videos which can be used by anyone seeking guidance on how to conduct services. Morning prayer and evening prayer from the 1662 book, and compline with todays readings are available on the church of englands web site.
And do not forget, the bishop can allow parts of the missal to be used along with the prayerbook. In this revised 1662 form, it has also become one of the classic texts of the english language, its prayers and expressions making english what it is today. The acna authorizes the 1662, 1928, 1979 and in canada 1962. I sometimes wonder if i ought to stop using the bcp and use catholic prayers exclusively. While various national churches of the anglican communion have often adopted revised versions of the english 1662 book of common prayer for use in their particular countries and cultural settings, the 1662 prayer book remains the touchstone of anglican faith and practice.
The 1662 book of common prayer still the official prayer book of the church of england has gone through literally hundreds of printings. Click on the red subsection title for the individual word documents. The prayer book of 1662 represents the official version in the church of england, but a 1928 version is commonly used. The acna leaves it up to the diocese or jurisdiction to determine the prayer book. The prayer book of 1662, with minor changes, has continued as the standard liturgy of most anglican churches of the british commonwealth. The book of common prayer is the old and wellloved prayer book of the anglican church, in use since the 16th century. Why is the catholic church cannibalising the book of common prayer. Adherence to the articles was made a legal requirement by the english parliament in 1571. Nigeria, the anglican communion, the book of common prayer. Of these many printings, only a few stand out, chief among which are a series done by john baskerville between 1760 and 1762. Book of common prayer, liturgical book used by churches of the anglican communion.
The historical antecedents of the 1662 edition are grounded in the vision of thomas cranmer who compiled the first prayer book in 1549 before it was revised in 1662. For use together with the book of common prayer 1662 and an australian prayer book 1978 anglican church of australia on. But, when i read, this reprint of the 1662 version features appendices from the 1549 version, in the description, i got the impression it was a reprintfacsimili using the contents of the original printed in 1662 version of the book of common prayer without the modern updates. Baskerville was one of the giants of english typography, making a number of. As for other parts of the british empire, the 1662 book of common prayer was initially the standard of worship for anglicans in new zealand. Use of 1662 book of common prayer noncatholic religions.
The 1662 book was first translated into maori in 1830, and has gone through several translations and a number of different editions since then. Nigeria, the anglican communion, the book of common prayer and see of canterbury. A permanent feature of the church of englands worship and a key source for its doctrine, the book of common prayer is loved for the beauty of its language and its services are widely used. The fundamental dogmatic principles and tenets of orthodox anglicanism are promulgated in the book of common prayer and the ordinal of the church of england, ad 1662, and the articles of religion set forth in ad 1562 by the same church canon 2. Im a continuing anglican in the anglican catholic church acc. Of the word, or son of god, which was made very man. The book of common prayer is the abbreviated title of the official liturgical service book of the church of england, originally commissioned by king edward vi 15371553 to direct the worship of the anglican church. The first american bcp was ratified by the first general convention of the episcopal church in 1789.
I like to use morning and evening prayer from the 1662 book of common prayer in my private devotion. In this revised 1662 form, it has become one of the classic texts of the english language, its prayers and expressions making english what it is today. In ecclesiastical circles, among clergy and others, the book is often today called, in a kind of jargon or shorthand 1662. The 1662 book of common prayer of the church of england you can download it by clicking the picture to the left or the link below is still technically the only official prayer book of the church of england, the mother church for the moment at least of the anglican communion. Do continuing anglicans, and other anglicans outside the. The prayer book of 1662, with minor changes, has continued as the. The 1970s was a time of liturgical development and renewal in a lot of denominations, and the anglican church in various provinces was no exception. The words of the reformation leader thomas cranmer now appear in a new order of mass. Even so, while the prayer book is enshrined in anglican services, to a lesser or greater extent, after the bible, it happens to be the most often cited book in the oxford. Baskerville was one of the giants of english typography, making a number of innovations, including the baskerville typeface still in use today. I add some prayers to mary when using it the thing it lacks most. Yes, there have been changes over the years now you can date that old prayer book.
This historic edition of the book of common prayer is perfect for those interested in anglican church history and liturgical development. The green book of common prayer 1662 but in contemporary english by far and away the most used prayer book in the anglican communion, and notably in africa, is the book of common prayer edition 1662 either in its classic english language of prayer or in translation. Simeon repented as the prayer book urged him to do, and he gave his life to christ. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. It was based on the proposed book of 1786, and the 1662 english book of common prayer, as well as the scottish. The book of common prayer covenant anglican church. The 1662 version is still technically the authorized version of the book of common prayer for the church of england. The unfortunate reality though is that very few of us americans have really looked at the 1662 prayer book very closely, so a lot of our reverence for it is only just lip service.
The book of common prayer and administration of the sacraments and other rites and ceremonies of the church according to the use of the church of england together with the psalter or psalms of david pointed as they are to be sung or said in churches and the form and manner of making, ordaining, and consecrating of bishops, priests, and deacons. Ever since its birth, one of the acnas goals has been to develop a new book of common prayerone that is closer to the tradition of the 1662 bcp than some other recent bcps in use throughout the global anglican communion. This particular printing appears in david griffiths bibliography of the book of common prayer as 17624. The 1662 book of common prayer the book of common prayer is always associated with the year of our lord 1662, the year in which it was authorized for use by act of parliament. Anglican church in north america book of common prayer. The anglican way by gerald bray ligonier ministries. Why we use the 1662 prayer book saint stephens anglican. While it has since undergone many revisions and anglican churches in different countries have developed other service books, the prayer book is still acknowledged as one of the ties that bind anglicans together. It itself is the result of more than a century of liturgical development through a turbulent time in british history. Outside the commonwealth most churches of the anglican communion possess their own variants of the english prayer book. The book of common prayer is a treasure chest full of devotional and teaching resources for individuals and congregations, but it is also the primary symbol of our unity. I recently bought a copy from amazon and i like it a lot.