Originally written to inspire sympathy for their Eastern Christian compatriots among the membership of the Church of England, Howard's study has become a touchstone for those seeking a sense of antique Christian liturgical practice. After providing a history of the "St. Thomas Christians," the Orthodox Christians of India, up until the mid-nineteenth century, Howard presents English translations of six different anaphorae in use in Christendom: namely, those of St. James, St. Peter, The Twelve Apostles, Mar Dionysius Barsalibi, Mar Xystus, and Mar Evannis.