The Hours in non-Byzantine Churches

[Sophronius]

Hey Ya’ll,

I was wondering, how are the Hours celebrated (if at all) in non-byzantine Eastern Catholic Churches?

Thanks!

 

[SonCatcher]

I cannot imagine why not. The Divine Office is one of the oldest prayers of the Church (whatever it is called or form it takes in the particular rite).

 

[Domnall]

Well, I know that the Copts celebrate the hours using the Agpeya!
(Oh goodness, at least I hope I’m right! )

Here’s a link to a website that has the full hours. Try praying it some time. I’ve done it before and really enjoyed it. agpeya.org/

 

[Sophronius]

What would be the principal hours at a coptic catholic parish?

 

[Phillip_Rolfes]

From what I understand the principal hours across the board for all traditions have always been Vespers and Matins/Orthros - although some traditions gradually expanded to include Compline as well. The “Lesser Hours” were developments of the monastic tradition.

According to the introduction in the Maronite Liturgy of the Hours (aka “Prayer of the Faithful”) the laity of the Church would participate in Vespers/Ramsho and Matins/Safro together with the nearest monastic community.

Fr. Robert Taft, S.J. has a wonderful book on the history of the Liturgy of the Hours in the East and West. You might want to check that out.

As far as what is actually practiced today in parishes…

 

[MorEphrem]

Well for Maronites, if a parish does any of the offices it would be ramsho (=vespers) and safro (=matins) prior to the Divine Liturgy. The offices in English are in an… “altered” state shall we say with softened language and psalms added. The standard ramsho, safro and sootoro (9PM office) can be viewed here: vineyardofthelord.com/index.php?option=com_zoo&view=category&Itemid=211

The Maronite Monks of Adoration also translated and edited the midday office, which they pray daily and laity can attend (in addition to safro, ramsho, sootoro). Their chanting, however, is very Gregorian/Novus Ordo since none of the priests.

From my understanding, historically, another office that laity commonly attended on the vigil of a feast was an abbreviated form of lilyo (the midnight office).

All Maronite offices, as does the “liturgy of the word” equivalent of the Divine Liturgy, revolve around the hoosoyo (i.e. the prayer of forgiveness which consists of a proemion, which introduces an idea, sedro, which expands upon it, qolo, a relevant hymn and an etro, prayer of offering incense).