Towards a History of Printed Liturgical Books
in the Modern Greek State:
An Initial Survey
Stefanos Alexopoulos – Dionysios Bilalis Anatolikiotes
Abstract
This article intends to map out the history of Greek liturgical books printed in Greece after the Greek independence until today with appropriate mention of the early Venice editions. The presentation is done primarily chronologically with special attention to important printing presses and influential editors. Attention is also given to more popular editions. Such a presentation of Greek liturgical editions is important for any discussion regarding correcting, reforming, and/or amending the current liturgical books in the Greek speaking Orthodox world, a discussion that must include the history of printed liturgical books, a history yet not written.
Sommario
Questo articolo intende illustrare la storia dei libri liturgici greci stampati in Grecia dalla sua indipendenza (1829??) fino ad oggi, facendo riferimento anche alle prime edizioni stampate a Venezia. La presentazione di questi libri viene fatta prevalentemente secondo l’ordine cronologico con particolare attenzione alle importanti case editrici e ai redattori più influenti. Si presta comunque attenzione anche alle edizioni più popolari. Una tale presentazione delle edizioni liturgiche greche può servire per qualunque confronto relativo alla correzione, a riformare e/o modificare gli attuali libri liturgici nel mondo ortodosso grecofono, un confronto che deve includere la storia dei libri liturgici stampati, storia che ancora non è stata scritta.
Stefanos Alexopoulos
is Assistant Professor of Liturgical Studies and Sacramental Theology at The Catholic University of America in Washington DC, USA. He researches and publishes on topics related to Byzantine liturgical history and theology. He is a Greek Orthodox priest.
Dionysios Bilalis Anatolikiotes holds a Ph.D. from the Department of Music of the School of Philosophy of the University of Athens on Byzantine Musicology and Ecclesiastical Typikon. He is the compiler of the annual Typikon of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece and the editor of liturgical editions. He lives in Athens, Greece.