Worship in the Early Church

[Handmaiden50]

I am not well read in a lot of areas of Church History (working on that) and was wondering how those in the Church worshiped from the time of the apostles until the development of the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom?

[Barbara]

It's a very thoughtful question you asked, Handmaiden !

I have a copy of "The Early Church" sitting waiting to be read. This is Part 1 of a 3-part series on the History of the Church
by Henry Chadwick. While a noted authority, I was wondering to myself whether or not he might have been a Mason or something because nothing can make me pick this book up ! Perhaps it's also because I found it at a library book sale in fairly bad condition. Anyone have any comments about Henry Chadwick ? He must have been an Anglican because he is listed as a former "head of Christ Church", which means Oxford, which means almost certainly Anglican.
Update : yes, he was Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford which made him "head of Christ Church". N.B. : This is NOT to be confused with when we say "Christ's Church". We mean OUR Church.

Chadwick, a clergyman as well as scholar, was rated as a likely archbishop of canterbury in 1974, but was not selected.

Maybe I will look for a better source on worship in the Early Orthodox Church - !

Can any of our members direct Handmaiden and me to such a volume ?

[Agios_Irineos]

I am not well read in a lot of areas of Church History (working on that) and was wondering how those in the Church worshiped from the time of the apostles until the development of the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom?

Handmaiden -

You may want to take a look at this informational presentation. Exploring the Early Church - Lesson 1

Recall also, that local bishops often had their own liturgies before the Liturgies of St. John and St. Basil became widespread. There are early descriptions of worship in the Didache and the Apology of Justin Martyr.

[Handmaiden50]

Seekermark66,

Took a brief look at the link you suggested on the early Church and it is very informative! Will go through it in its entirety soon.

As an inquirer from Protestantism, I really never thought of the early Church as worshiping in a liturgical form, but that they perhaps met in people's homes to hear the letters of Paul read to them (ex: the church at Corinth) and to break bread together (similar to a Protestant's view of communion). I see I have a lot to learn!

[Agios_Irineos]

Seekermark66,

Took a brief look at the link you suggested on the early Church and it is very informative! Will go through it in its entirety soon.

As an inquirer from Protestantism, I really never thought of the early Church as worshiping in a liturgical form, but that they perhaps met in people's homes to hear the letters of Paul read to them (ex: the church at Corinth) and to break bread together (similar to a Protestant's view of communion). I see I have a lot to learn!

Search for some information on the "house church" of Dura Europos, a pre-Constantinian house church. You will see how terribly off base the protestant conception of early house church worship is!

[joasia]

I recommend Eusebius - The History of the Church. I have the one translated by G.A. Williamson. Eusebius was born in 260 A.D. so his understanding of previous events of the growing Church are very significant. He became a bishop of Caesarea around 313. His explanations span from the time of the Apostles to his time. He includes all the significant events that happened during that period. It's very well worth reading and I believe very educational because it's an actual insight into how the early Christians lived. It's a must read.