On a recent visit to Rhodes,I thought afresh of the importance of the word and the vernacular.
The presence of the Knights Hospitaller of St John is expressed in the architecture of the Old Town of Rhodes. The Knights held Rhodes between 1310 -1522 , when following a successful siege by the Ottomans, they left Rhodes for Malta.
On Rhodes, the Knights were formed into eight groups, known as “Langues” or languages – not being a national but a linguistic grouping . Originally seven – Auvergne, France and Provence; Italy; Germany (covering the Holy Roman Empire and Scandinavia) ;England (including Scotland and Ireland); and Aragon ,with an eight later included to include Castile and Portugal.
In addition to their common bond as Christian Knights, the members of each Langue were further bonded by their Langue.
The Knights have long since left Rhodes but there is still a Catholic presence in Rhodes. As the Knights came from afar, so too do many who attend the two Catholic churches in Rhodes town… and the churches there cater for them.
Greek is the language of Rhodes and the mass is said in Greek. However non- Greeks are catered for by:-
- although primarily in Greek, the ritual of the mass is universal and one can therefore follow where in the mass one is at;
- there is one Greek section that non Greeks understand – Kyrie eleison;
- parts of the mass in Latin;
- Mass booklets showing the mass in various languages such as German, Italian and English on one page and Latin on the facing page;
- the homily being given in both Greek and English.
To my great surprise, Confession was also offered in several languages.
