March 11, 2014
Williamsburg, VA: Commemoration to be held for 247th Anniversary of
Colonel Ludwell’s Repose
Thursday,
March 14/27, 2014 will mark the two hundred and forty-seventh
anniversary of the repose of the ever-memorable Colonel Philip
Ludwell III of Williamsburg, VA, the earliest known recorded convert
to Holy Orthodoxy in America. Parishes and clergy of the Eastern
American Diocese are once again reminded of the blessing of His
Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion to serve a panihida for Colonel
Ludwell on this anniversary. Also in honor of the anniversary, a
commemorative reception and lectures will be held at the College of
William & Mary in Williamsburg on Sunday, March
16
(see information
below).
In the past year, a great deal of further information has come to
light about the extent of Colonel Ludwell’s labors for the
advancement of the Orthodox Faith, particularly in the area of
translation of liturgical texts and prayers for home use. As the
anniversary of his repose falls during the time of the Great Fast,
it seems appropriate to share some of his work, which is
particularly appropriate for this season. One of his most complete
extant works is a translation of
The Divine and Holy Liturgy
of St Gregory the Dialogist, commonly referred to as
The Liturgy of the
Presanctified Gifts. In his preamble to the text of this
liturgy, Col. Ludwell reminds us (original spellings are retained):
"Our devout & pious Forefathers contemplating the Strict Obligation
of the holy & great Lent; instituted & established by the express
Command of the Apostolic Laws; were apprehensive that even the
celebration of the ever blessed Eucharist might be in some sort a
violation of the strictness of the Fast; in as much as this is the
highest festive Rite. Wherefore, that they might accommodate all
things; preserve the Fast entire. & yet the Food of Life not be
witheld from pious Souls: The Council of Laodicea did ordain that
the Divine Consecration should only be made on Saturdaies, &
Sundaies, & on the Feast of the Annunciation; dureing the Lent: &
that the representation thereof should be set forth, & the
preconsecrated Body & Blood should be administered in the Evening
Service after the IX hour,(ie three o’clock) when it is permisable
to take some Sustenance for that Day. There is therefore a
sufficient Provision made on the Lord’s Day for each insuing Week; &
for this reason it is called preconsecrated or afore-consecrated &
is allways accompanied with the Office of the Vesper or Evening
Service."
He also offers to us in another place this translation of the Prayer
of St. Ephraim the Syrian, which is said repeatedly during the
Lenten services (original spellings again maintained):
O Lord & Governer of my Life, give me not
up unto the Spirit of
Sloth, Inquisitiveness
Pride &Vain Conversation.
But bestow on me thy Servant the
Spirit of Modesty, Temperance,
Humility, Patience and Charity.
O Lord & King grant unto me to see my own
misdeeds & not to judge
my Brother, for
blessed art thou for ever & ever Amen.
Eastern Orthodox Divine Liturgy
Wren Chapel, College of William &
Mary
Sunday, March 16
Hours: 9:00 AM; Divine Liturgy: 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Reception & Coffee/Repast at Noon in the James Room
at William &
Mary’s Sadler Center.
Including a presentation on Philip Ludwell III, featuring the latest
research,
by Reader
Nicholas Chapman,
of the Society for Orthodox Christian History in the Americas.
Join us for the first-ever Orthodox Christian Divine Liturgy in the
historic Wren Chapel, to be officiated by Metropolitan Jonah
(Paffhausen) assisted by other clergy from Washington, DC. The
Chapel is located in the College of William & Mary’s Wren Building,
built in 1695 and the oldest college building in the United States.
In memory of Colonel Philip Ludwell III:
- A prominent, third-generation Virginian and first owner of the
Ludwell-Paradise House, Duke of Gloucester Street, Williamsburg.
- An Orthodox Christian, having been received into the Orthodox
Church in London in 1738 at the age of 22.
- A member of the
Royal Governing Council of Virginia and of the Board of Visitors of
the College of William & Mary.
- The proposer of George
Washington’s command of the Virginia Militia.
- A relative of
other prominent Virginia families, such as the Lees and Harrisons.
May Colonel Philip Ludwell’s memory be eternal!
Media Office of the Eastern
American Diocese
