S
smad0142
Guest
I just got the one volume Horologion from the Melkite Publishing House and I was wondering if any of the readers here could help me figure out how to pray the Morning and Evening Hours. Thanks!!
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
C
ciero
Guest
In order to use the horolgion you also need the octoechos, mention and a psalter divided into kathisma.I just got the one volume Horologion from the Melkite Publishing House and I was wondering if any of the readers here could help me figure out how to pray the Morning and Evening Hours. Thanks!!
S
smad0142
Guest
The Prayerbook was advertised as a one volume book to be used to pray the ENTIRE Byzantine Divine Office, so I assume all of those things are included. If not, where do I get that?
C
ciero
Guest
I am very familiar with the Melkite Horologion, but it is not possible to pray the ENTIRE Office from it. The Octoechos is a 8 volume set, and the menaionis a 12 volume set. The menaion is quite costly (over $1500.).The Prayerbook was advertised as a one volume book to be used to pray the ENTIRE Byzantine Divine Office, so I assume all of those things are included. If not, where do I get that?
The changeable parts of the services are in these books. The horologion only includes the parts that do not change on a daily basis, although the Melkites have included a number of troparion. For example, the horologion does not include the verses for psalm 140/141 at vespers or the apostica verses. It does not include the sessional hymns for matins, has no matins canons no kondakion for matins no exapostalarion, praise verses or apostica.
Unfortunatly the Byzantine Divine Office is so changeable and there are so many variations of the services it is impossible to make one book to include everything.
I believe that this is part if the reason that the Divine Office has never become a private or personal prayer in the Byzantine world as it is in the West. Non monastic clergy in the Byzantine church have never been held to pray the Divine Office as in the Latin Church. And even monastics who are outside the monastery fir whatever reason would replace praying the Office with a number of Jesus prayers.
L
Little_Boy_Lost
Guest
I am looking to help increase my rule of prayer and begin praying more (IE before communion, before confession and so forth). My pastor gave me “Book of prayer” the small yellow book from Sophia press and it’s been nice, but back when I was Anglican I used to pray from the 1928 prayerbook and I was wondering if either the updated Horologion or the Publican Prayer book would be of better use for me. Thanks!
A
Alexander_Roman
Guest
One need not worry about all the “propers” for praying the Daily Office in the Eastern tradition.
There are a couple of online horologion sites that I’ve found to be very helpful.
There is this one: orthodox.seasidehosting.st which is the “dynamic horologion and psalter” and one simply goes to the service of the particular hour and prays what is online. They don’t include the Canons for Matins, but that is OK. They include the troparia and kontakia for the saints of the day and the psalms, with the daily psalm readings. If we can do what they have there, we have done a lot!
There is also Fr. John Whiteford’s most excellent site: www.saintjonah.org/services
He also includes many sites with other prayers and also articles on how to read the Horologion in private. His Horologion that he has on his site is, in fact, one for “Readers” that is, for all those who are not ordained. He has a magnificent listing of Canons and Akathists that one may use for the office as well. One only need follow his instructions included in the body of the Hours - one gets the hang of it soon! I’m now studying the ancient Western Benedictine office and I find it much more complicated to learn than the Byzantine office.
One may also just do the prayers that are in the breviary, which was always a popular lay practice.
One may also substitute the Kathismata of the psalter for the hours - one kathisma for each hour but two or three for Matins.
We may also say seven Canons and seven Akathists to replace the office.
There are the other ways of doing it with the Jesus Prayer and with Our Fathers as well.
You might eventually wish to purchase the four-volume “Octoechos” in eight tones from St John of Kronstadt Press. There is also a “General Menaion” which one may use for the saints of the day, rather than having to purchase the pricey full daily Menaion. Or just get one volume of the Octoechos for now.
We should let our father-confessor know of our desire to pray the daily office and get his advice (and blessing!) for it on a go-forward basis.
A very rewarding spiritual endeavour - may God bless you!
Alex
There are a couple of online horologion sites that I’ve found to be very helpful.
There is this one: orthodox.seasidehosting.st which is the “dynamic horologion and psalter” and one simply goes to the service of the particular hour and prays what is online. They don’t include the Canons for Matins, but that is OK. They include the troparia and kontakia for the saints of the day and the psalms, with the daily psalm readings. If we can do what they have there, we have done a lot!
There is also Fr. John Whiteford’s most excellent site: www.saintjonah.org/services
He also includes many sites with other prayers and also articles on how to read the Horologion in private. His Horologion that he has on his site is, in fact, one for “Readers” that is, for all those who are not ordained. He has a magnificent listing of Canons and Akathists that one may use for the office as well. One only need follow his instructions included in the body of the Hours - one gets the hang of it soon! I’m now studying the ancient Western Benedictine office and I find it much more complicated to learn than the Byzantine office.
One may also just do the prayers that are in the breviary, which was always a popular lay practice.
One may also substitute the Kathismata of the psalter for the hours - one kathisma for each hour but two or three for Matins.
We may also say seven Canons and seven Akathists to replace the office.
There are the other ways of doing it with the Jesus Prayer and with Our Fathers as well.
You might eventually wish to purchase the four-volume “Octoechos” in eight tones from St John of Kronstadt Press. There is also a “General Menaion” which one may use for the saints of the day, rather than having to purchase the pricey full daily Menaion. Or just get one volume of the Octoechos for now.
We should let our father-confessor know of our desire to pray the daily office and get his advice (and blessing!) for it on a go-forward basis.
A very rewarding spiritual endeavour - may God bless you!
Alex
- Status
- Not open for further replies.