Black Rubric
/blak ˈruːbrɪk/Anglican Church
noun
(A name commonly given to) the ‘Declaration on Kneeling’, an explanation of the theological significance of kneeling when receiving the elements at the Eucharist, printed at the end of the Communion office in the Book of Common Prayer.
- The Declaration was first inserted in the edition of 1552, stating that kneeling was ‘the humble and grateful acknowledging of the benefits of Christ’, and that ‘the sacramental bread and wine…remain still in their very natural substances, and therefore may not be adored’. It was, after an initial printing, omitted in later editions of 1559, but restored in a significantly amended version in 1662, clarifying the understanding of the nature of the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. See Oxf. Guide to Bk. Common Prayer (2006) i. 25–6..
Origin
Late 17th century; earliest use found in Abraham Woodhead (1609–1678), Roman Catholic controversialist. From black + rubric.