Folia Theologica et Canonica 11. 33/25 (2022)

Recensions

RECENSIONS

253

of the Apostolic Age, starting with the New Testament, with a special emphasis on the relation between norma and traditio (pp. 21-32). This is followed by a list and analysis of the authors and sources of the 2nd and 3rd centuries, i.e. St. Ignatius (fllO/115), St. Justin (t 166), Tertullian (f220), St. Cyprian (f258), and a list of their terminology; as well as an outline of the relevant content of the Traditio Apostolica (Apostolic Tradition), the Didache, the Apocrypha of the New Testament, and the Gnostic writings (pp. 33-80). After a detailed grounding on early period sources, Metzger moves on to discuss the development of the presentation of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, focusing primarily on the discipline as found in the Apostolic Constitutions. However, here we also see an overview of the various Eucharistic traditions contained in the works of St. John Chrysostom (|407), the Cappadocian Fathers, and several other authors (pp. 113-134). The Author is careful to distinguish and compare the Antiochian, Alexandrian, Byzantine and Roman traditions, and to describe the various rites of the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

The second chapter, entitled Liturgy in Time, covers the sanctification of Sunday and the week. This is done firstly on the basis of the apostolic sources and then from the 2nd to 3rd centuries. Here again the author makes a special reference to both the Latin and the Eastern tradition, and dedicates a special subsection to the monastic tradition. The development of the Liturgy of Hours within the period under study is one of the central themes of the chapter (pp. 258-284). However, special emphasis is also given to the question of the celebration of the Easter season (pp. 284-334). This naturally includes an examination of the sources of the Apostolic Age and the 2nd - 3rd centuries, an outline of the Easter calendar, an explanation of the tradition of the solemnity at Jerusalem and in Rome, and an analysis of the Greek formulas of the period up until 336. A similar summary is given of the complete calendar of contemporary ecclesiastical feasts and solemnities (pp. 336-350), for the same periods, areas and sources, supplemented by the Codex Theodosianus. The last topic is a precise description of the solemnities of Christmas and Epiphany, in the usual structure, taking care to explain as fully as possible the Eastern and Western traditions (pp. 351-360).

In the case of chapter three, the reference to festive occasions within Christian communities actually refers to the administration of certain sacraments and sacramentals. Among the exemined liturgical acts and related ceremonies, take place the administration of baptism (with detailed reference to - among other things - the acts and promises before and after baptism - e.g., saying ‘against Satan’ - pp. 361-502), the sacrament of absolution (including a list of sins and atonements, the subject of absolution and readmission, and the role of the bishop or priest: pp. 502-538), the administration of the Holy Order (pp. 539-595), the sacrament of marriage (pp. 596-607), the anointing of the sick (pp. 608-619), funeral rules and customs (pp. 619-644), the consecration