Liturgical Terminology in the Georgian Manuscripts of Lenten Triodion

Abstract

The translation of religious literature into Georgian has a long history. This process outlines the stages of Typicon development. The Georgian translations of the Lenten Triodion, which were created in different theological and literary schools, provide us with interesting terminological material and present the long history of the development of Georgian liturgical terminology.

Our goal is to describe and analyze the liturgical terminology revealed in the Georgian editions of the Lenten Triodion, to compare it with modern liturgical practice, and to determine the general tendency of the process of liturgical terminology creation. The basis for this is provided by the material that is still unexplored and unpublished, such as manuscripts K-79, K-16 and K-38.

Georgian liturgical books were translated from ancient Greek, accordingly, Georgian liturgical terminology was formed on the basis of ancient Greek terms. Therefore, not infrequently, instead of the Georgian equivalent, the ancient Greek variants were used. Parallelism is often confirmed - both Greek and Georgian variants are used.

In the Georgian editions of the Lenten Triodion, as well as in the liturgical books in general, an interesting group of terms is distinguished. For example, შეგჳწყალენი; ყოვლად წმიდისა... For example, შეგჳწყალენი is the substantive form of the third verse of the litany of fervent supplication. Its use is because in some cases, the first and second verses of this litany are not read.

In typiconic instructions, the Bible verses are for the most part given as beginnings, with a few words. In such cases, the attitude of the translator-editor towards the tradition of translating the books of the Bible is interesting. In the Good Friday Vesper, when the 12 Gospels of the Passion are read, the translator does not rely on the previous editions and offers a new translation. This circumstance, naturally, gives us an idea about the process of term creation