Tradition Against Scripture? Anti-Jewish Animus Shaping Three Pericopes in the Byzantine Lectionary

This paper examines the role of anti-Jewish sentiment in shaping the Byzantine Lectionary (BL) and its impact on the liturgical reception of Scripture. While previous scholarship has largely focused on positive interpretations within Byzantine hymnography and liturgy, this study argues that the BL not only interpreted the Bible selectively but also obscured or even subverted key biblical messages, particularly regarding Israel and Judaism. Through close analysis of pericopes from the Evangeliarion and the Apostolos, this paper identifies two primary mechanisms of textual manipulation: the omission of certain passages and the relegation of positive statements about Jews to weekday readings, effectively minimizing their reception. Hagiographical and hymnographical texts further illustrate how poetic language and theological motifs reinforced anti-Jewish interpretations. By situating these findings within the broader context of the crystallization of the BL, this study demonstrates on the basis of three pericopes that anti-Judaism permeated both the content and structure of Byzantine liturgical Scripture. This analysis underscores the need for critical engagement with the historical liturgy, revealing how ecclesiastical tradition at times conflicted with the biblical message and calling contemporary scholarship to confront the enduring theological implications of these liturgical practices.