ABSTRACT
The culture of the ancient Greeks and Romans enjoyed a long and glorious sunset—in some respects, indeed, the light never quite faded. ‘Gregorian’ and ‘Old-Roman’ chant, however, pose problems in connection with their antiquity and their relationship to what is known of the history of the Roman rite. The liturgy of Rome was evidently modelled in some important respects on that of Jerusalem. Particularly significant are its stational character, represented by visits to specific churches in the city, and the close integration of the monastic and lay elements in the Christian community. To the rite of the Jewish synagogue the Christians added only one permanent element: the commemoration of the Last Supper which is the essential feature of the Mass or Eucharist. All Christian liturgies have as their basis a dual calendar which has its roots in the Jewish year but also incorporates the pagan calendar of Julius Caesar.
