I recently bought a copy from amazon and i like it a lot. 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. 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. 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. 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. The book of common prayer of 1662 included the thirtynine articles. Use of 1662 book of common prayer noncatholic religions. 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. 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.
I add some prayers to mary when using it the thing it lacks most. Nigeria, the anglican communion, the book of common prayer. Book of common prayer, 1662 christianity knowledge base. In 1978, the anglican church of australia produced a prayer book for use in conjunction with the standard anglican book of common prayer 1662. 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. 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. The prayer book of 1662, with minor changes, has continued as the. Anglican church in north america book of common prayer. I like to use morning and evening prayer from the 1662 book of common prayer in my private devotion.
It was based on the proposed book of 1786, and the 1662 english book of common prayer, as well as the scottish. The rite in use at the service was that of the 1662 edition of the 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. Of these many printings, only a few stand out, chief among which are a series done by john baskerville between 1760 and 1762. 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. Simeon repented as the prayer book urged him to do, and he gave his life to christ. 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.
Yes, there have been changes over the years now you can date that old prayer book. Morning prayer and evening prayer from the 1662 book, and compline with todays readings are available on the church of englands web site. 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. Ill try to shed some light on this based upon my experience. Why is the catholic church cannibalising the book of common prayer. The anglican way by gerald bray ligonier ministries. Outside the commonwealth most churches of the anglican communion possess their own variants of the english prayer book. 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.
Book of common prayer, liturgical book used by churches of the anglican communion. Baskerville was one of the giants of english typography, making a number of innovations, including the baskerville typeface still in use today. Adherence to the articles was made a legal requirement by the english parliament in 1571. 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. 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 1662 book was first translated into maori in 1830, and has gone through several translations and a number of different editions since then.
Do continuing anglicans, and other anglicans outside the. It itself is the result of more than a century of liturgical. The words of the reformation leader thomas cranmer now appear in a new order of mass. Book of common prayer church of ireland a member of. 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. Albans anglican church in copenhagen, denmark, in the summer of the year 2001. 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.
The 1662 version is still technically the authorized version of the book of common prayer for the church of england. The prayer book society has produced a series of videos which can be used by anyone seeking guidance on how to. 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. The acna authorizes the 1662, 1928, 1979 and in canada 1962. 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. Anglican liturgical piety has been rooted in the prayer book tradition since the publication of the first english prayer book in 1549. 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. 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. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. People interested in anglican church history and lit. Nigeria, the anglican communion, the book of common prayer and see of canterbury. I sometimes wonder if i ought to stop using the bcp and use catholic prayers exclusively.
Im a continuing anglican in the anglican catholic church acc. The prayer book of 1662 represents the official version in the church of england, but a 1928 version is commonly used. The first american bcp was ratified by the first general convention of the episcopal church in 1789. In ecclesiastical circles, among clergy and others, the book is often today called, in a kind of jargon or shorthand 1662. Click on the red subsection title for the individual word documents. The acc uses the 1928 as its standard for devotional practice, and as a basis for worship. 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. 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. Why we use the 1662 prayer book saint stephens anglican. The 1662 book of common prayer by church of england. For use together with the book of common prayer 1662 and an australian prayer book 1978. In 1549, the first book of common prayer was compiled by thomas cranmer, who was then archbishop of canterbury. Baskerville was one of the giants of english typography, making a number of. You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with christians all over the world.
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. It itself is the result of more than a century of liturgical development through a turbulent time in british history. Why is the catholic church cannibalising the book of. This particular printing appears in david griffiths bibliography of the book of common prayer as 17624. They are printed in the book of common prayer and other anglican prayer books. The solution to our problem presented itself during an 8.
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 covenant anglican church. The prayer book society has produced a series of videos which can be used by anyone seeking guidance on how to conduct services. The bcp in english made its first appearance in 1549 with revisions following in. The green book of common prayer 1662 but in contemporary. 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.
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. Of the word, or son of god, which was made very man. 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. A biblicaltheological richness flows off the pages of the bcp in ways that other traditions cannot claim. 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. The 1662 book of common prayer still the official prayer book of the church of england has gone through literally hundreds of printings. I do use catholic prayer books, particularly the little office of the blessed virgin.
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 book of common prayer, this document is intended to. 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. And do not forget, the bishop can allow parts of the missal to be used along with the prayerbook. 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. Anglican book of common prayers 350th anniversary celebrated by anglicans.