Homilies and Songs, Volume 1

I think these two books are nothing other than two homilies, of which one: (1) mamlālā d-maʿmūdītā discourse on Baptism contains an explanation of the sacraments of Baptism and the Priesthood, and the other: (2) pārōšā d-qūrbānā expounder of the Oblation, deals exclusively with the sacrifice of the Mass; which double denomination, used in the Catalog of Ebedjesu to designate the aforementioned books, invariably designates said homilies in all manuscripts.

tēšmšātā services: Ebedjesu probably designates with this word the prayers that are still recited in the office of the dead of the Oriental Syrians. There they are indicated by the words: madrāšē hymns, ṣlawātā prayers, and sometimes by the term: madrāšē d-ʿanīdē hymns for the deceased. These prayers could also designate, though less probably, consolatory discourses, like the prayers of Elijah III, which are still wont to be recited in the houses of the recently deceased.

mēmrē discourses: Orations, interpretations: that is, it seems, homilies explaining the Gospel; or various chants about various topics, in the form of soghyatha poetic dialogues without sermonizing. Today, any speech directed solemnly to anyone in a position of honor is usually called a mēmrā discourse.

tēšbḥātā praises/chants: Through which word Ebedjesu undoubtedly designates the prayers composed by various authors, still called by this name to the present day and inserted into the Chaldean breviary, to be recited alternately by the Choir, in the manner of the psalms (3).

kārōzūātā proclamations/litanies: These are public intercessions to be said by one person, in which prayer is made for Patriarchs, Bishops, ministers of the Church, and all the Christian faithful; the Chaldean priest recites three prayers of this kind daily, each beginning thus: let us stand well; let us pray and say: Lord have mercy on us.

madmyātā likenesses/comparisons: By this word, ascetic discourses are probably meant, directed to persons of various types and orders, such as one finds in Aphrahat, Isaac the Syrian, and Philoxenus.

(1) see p. 356 et sqq. of this volume.
(2) see p. 270 et sqq. of this volume.
(3) For a specimen of these, see the Houdhra of the Oriental Syrians p. 37 (Bedjan edition) ibid. vol. III, p. 396; vol. I, p. 57 etc ....

A horizontal ornamental divider with a central diamond-shaped floral motif and scrolled ends.