Improperia
Encyclopedia
The Improperia are a series of antiphons and responses, expressing the remonstrance of Jesus Christ with His people.
They are also known as the "Reproaches".
In the Catholic liturgy
they are sung as part of the observance of the Passion, usually on the afternoon of Good Friday
. In the Byzantine Rite
, they are found in various hymns of Good Friday and Holy Saturday
. The Improperia appear in the Pontificale of Prudentius
(846-61) and gradually came into use throughout Europe in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, finally being incorporated into the Roman Ordo in the fourteenth century.
, the Improperia are a series of three couplets, sung antiphon
ally by cantors and followed by alternate Greek and Latin responses from the two halves of the choir; and nine other lines sung by the cantors, with the full choir responding after each with the refrain "Popule meus, quid feci tibi? . . . ." Thus the Improperia begin with this couplet:
The second couplet is sung antiphonally by two cantors of the second choir, and the third couplet by two cantors of the first choir; after each the two choirs respond as above. The nine following reproaches are sung alternately by the cantors of each choir, beginning with the second, with the full choir responding after each reproach with the line, "Popule meus . . .":
After the last Improperium and its refrain, the hymns Crux fidelis and Pange lingua
are sung.
, the Reproaches were suppressed by Thomas Cranmer
, Archbishop of Canterbury
when he authored the first Book of Common Prayer
in the sixteenth century. However, the liturgical movement
and the desire to connect with ancient liturgical traditions has led to some Provinces in the Anglican Communion
to reintroduce the Reproaches. For example, the revisers of the 1989 Anglican Prayer Book in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa to reintroduce the Reproaches as “The Solemn Adoration of Christ Crucified.” The revisers of the Anglican Prayer Book have sought to downplay the historical anti-Semitism
associated with the Reproaches.
They are also known as the "Reproaches".
In the Catholic liturgy
Catholic liturgy
The Catholic Church is fundamentally liturgical and sacramental in its public life of worship.-Liturgical principles:As explained in greater detail in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and its shorter Compendium, the liturgy is something that "the whole Christ", Head and Body, celebrates —...
they are sung as part of the observance of the Passion, usually on the afternoon of Good Friday
Good Friday
Good Friday , is a religious holiday observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of...
. In the Byzantine Rite
Byzantine Rite
The Byzantine Rite, sometimes called the Rite of Constantinople or Constantinopolitan Rite is the liturgical rite used currently by all the Eastern Orthodox Churches, by the Greek Catholic Churches , and by the Protestant Ukrainian Lutheran Church...
, they are found in various hymns of Good Friday and Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday , sometimes known as Easter Eve or Black Saturday, is the day after Good Friday. It is the day before Easter and the last day of Holy Week in which Christians prepare for Easter...
. The Improperia appear in the Pontificale of Prudentius
Prudentius
Aurelius Prudentius Clemens was a Roman Christian poet, born in the Roman province of Tarraconensis in 348. He probably died in Spain, as well, some time after 405, possibly around 413...
(846-61) and gradually came into use throughout Europe in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, finally being incorporated into the Roman Ordo in the fourteenth century.
Roman Rite
In their present form in the Roman RiteRoman Rite
The Roman Rite is the liturgical rite used in the Diocese of Rome in the Catholic Church. It is by far the most widespread of the Latin liturgical rites used within the Western or Latin autonomous particular Church, the particular Church that itself is also called the Latin Rite, and that is one of...
, the Improperia are a series of three couplets, sung antiphon
Antiphon
An antiphon in Christian music and ritual, is a "responsory" by a choir or congregation, usually in Gregorian chant, to a psalm or other text in a religious service or musical work....
ally by cantors and followed by alternate Greek and Latin responses from the two halves of the choir; and nine other lines sung by the cantors, with the full choir responding after each with the refrain "Popule meus, quid feci tibi? . . . ." Thus the Improperia begin with this couplet:
- Cantor 1: Popule meus, quid feci tibi? Aut in quo constristavi te? Responde mihi.
- Cantor 2: Quia eduxi te de terra Ægypti: parasti Crucem Salvatori tuo.
- Choir A: Hagios o Theos.
- Choir B: Sanctus Deus.
- Choir A: Hagios Ischyros.
- Choir B: Sanctus Fortis.
- Choir A: Hagios Athanatos, eleison hymas.
- Choir B: Sanctus Immortalis, miserere nobis.
- My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
- I led you out of Egypt, from slavery to freedom, but you led your Saviour to the cross.
- Holy is God!
- Holy is God!
- Holy and strong!
- Holy and strong!
- Holy immortal One, have mercy on us.
- Holy immortal One, have mercy on us.
The second couplet is sung antiphonally by two cantors of the second choir, and the third couplet by two cantors of the first choir; after each the two choirs respond as above. The nine following reproaches are sung alternately by the cantors of each choir, beginning with the second, with the full choir responding after each reproach with the line, "Popule meus . . .":
- Cantors 3 & 4: Ego propter te flagellavi Ægyptum cum primogenitis suis: et tu me flagellatum tradidisti.
- Choirs A & B: Popule meus, quid feci tibi? Aut in quo constristavi te? Responde mihi.
- Cantors 1 & 2: Ego eduxi te de Ægypto, demerso Pharaone in mare rubrum: et tu me tradidisti principibus sacerdotum.
- Choirs A & B: Popule meus, quid feci tibi? Aut in quo constristavi te? Responde mihi.
- For your sake I scourged your captors and their firstborn sons, but you brought your scourges down on me.
- My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
- I led you from slavery to freedom and drowned your captors in the sea, but you handed me over to your high priests.
- My people . . . .
After the last Improperium and its refrain, the hymns Crux fidelis and Pange lingua
Pange Lingua Gloriosi Proelium Certaminis
Pange Lingua Gloriosi Proelium Certaminis is a sixth-century Latin sequence hymn generally credited to the Christian poet St Venantius Fortunatus, Bishop of Poitiers, celebrating the Passion of Christ. In the Catholic Church, the first five stanzas are used at Matins during Passiontide in the...
are sung.
Anglicanism
In the Anglican Church during the English ReformationEnglish Reformation
The English Reformation was the series of events in 16th-century England by which the Church of England broke away from the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church....
, the Reproaches were suppressed by Thomas Cranmer
Thomas Cranmer
Thomas Cranmer was a leader of the English Reformation and Archbishop of Canterbury during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI and, for a short time, Mary I. He helped build a favourable case for Henry's divorce from Catherine of Aragon which resulted in the separation of the English Church from...
, Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
when he authored the first Book of Common Prayer
Book of Common Prayer
The Book of Common Prayer is the short title of a number of related prayer books used in the Anglican Communion, as well as by the Continuing Anglican, "Anglican realignment" and other Anglican churches. The original book, published in 1549 , in the reign of Edward VI, was a product of the English...
in the sixteenth century. However, the liturgical movement
Liturgical Movement
The Liturgical Movement began as a movement of scholarship for the reform of worship within the Roman Catholic Church. It has grown over the last century and a half and has affected many other Christian Churches, including the Church of England and other Churches of the Anglican Communion, and some...
and the desire to connect with ancient liturgical traditions has led to some Provinces in the Anglican Communion
Anglican Communion
The Anglican Communion is an international association of national and regional Anglican churches in full communion with the Church of England and specifically with its principal primate, the Archbishop of Canterbury...
to reintroduce the Reproaches. For example, the revisers of the 1989 Anglican Prayer Book in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa to reintroduce the Reproaches as “The Solemn Adoration of Christ Crucified.” The revisers of the Anglican Prayer Book have sought to downplay the historical anti-Semitism
Anti-Semitism
Antisemitism is suspicion of, hatred toward, or discrimination against Jews for reasons connected to their Jewish heritage. According to a 2005 U.S...
associated with the Reproaches.