This volume is a compilation of documents and essays which are intended to describe the mission, history, and practice of the Western Rite Vicariate in the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church. The book consists of four parts: Foundational Documents, History of the Western Rite, Liturgical Practices, Select Essays. In addition, the complete "Ordinary and Canon" of the Rite of St Gregory and the Rite of St Tikhon are included, as well as a Select Bibliography.

Nearly all of these essays have been published in various magazines or journals, most of which are readily available on the internet but are collected here for convenience' sake. Some new essays also appear, which were commissioned where there were obvious lacunae. Where deemed necessary, brief explanatory notes precede select essays.