roceeds to state the grounds of the belief
that the liturgies of Antioch, Alexandria, Rome and Gaul were of
Apostolic origin; concluding thus "It may perhaps be said without
exaggeration, that next to the holy scriptures they possess the
greatest claims on our veneration and study". Padre Avedichian
observes in his preface to the Armenian liturgy, that it was probably
compiled by John _Mandagunense_, an Armenian patriarch of the fifth
century.

[Sidenote: Armenian high-mass.]

We shall now give a brief account of their high mass, which we do the
more readily, because Mr. Palmer represents it in a very mutilated
form. The celebrant, whether priest or bishop, is vested in the
sacristy: the vestments bear some resemblance to those of the Greeks.
The beginning of the mass is the only part probably taken from the
Roman liturgy, but it contains an invocation of the B. Virgin and of
the saint of the day. When the celebrant goes up to the altar, the
veil is drawn: he uncovers the chalice, blesses the host, which is
like ours of unleavened bread; pours wine and water into the chalice,
and recites the beautiful prayer of S. John Chrysostom: "O Lord our
God, who hast sent our Lord Jesus Christ the celestial bread, the
nourishment of the whole world; do thou bless this proposition etc."
The veil is then drawn back, and the offerings, the altar, and the
people are incensed. The Celebrant recites the prayer of the festival,
followed by other prayers composed by S. John Chrysostom: the
Trisagion is sung, and the gospel is carried in procession, and is
kissed by one of the congregation. Then follow the epistle, gospel,
and creed. After two prayers, and two benedictions imparted to the
people; the offerings are carried in procession to the altar, the
celebrant offers them up to God, and prays that Jesus Christ will make
him worthy to consecrate, and receive his "holy and immaculate body
and precious blood; for thou, O Christ our God, art he who offers
and is offered". After he has washed his hands, he says "O Lord God
of armies, let this victim become "the true body and blood of thy
only begotten Son". He then blesses the people, says prayers which
correspond to our preface and _Sanctus_, and pronounces the words of
consecration. After he has said other prayers, and made the sign of
the cross several times over the host and chalice, he invokes the holy
Ghost, begging also that the body and blood of Christ may produce "the
salvation o