Litanies

[Philip Mathew]

Dear Friends,

I was wondering if you could explain the role of litanies in Byzantine Orthodox liturgical services. In our Syrian Orthodox liturgical services, we also use litanies, but not nearly as much as the Byzantines do. Often, these litanies seem like duplications repeated over and over. I must admit that the intense use of litanies seems unnecessary to me, when a fraction of the litanies that are taken would suffice. But I'm sure there must be some reason for the use of these litanies, or else they wouldn't be so widespread, and so I hope someone can help me out by speaking about the role of the litany in Byzantine liturgy. Thank you.

[Owen Jones]

I am the last person to consult on the arcane world of Orthodox liturgies, but let me try a layman's response.

Orthodoxy is by nature repetitive because repentance is repetitive. Again and Again we Say, Lord have Mercy, has profound theological meaning. Also, the aesthetics of the liturgy are enhanced by the litanies. They form a necessary transition from one stage of the liturgy to the next. Western Catholicism and Anlicanism have dispensed entirely with the litanies, and the liturgy is quite stale. Also, finally, knowing the simple responses are an opportunity for the congregation to actively engage in the singing, and to buy time for the mind to become still. That requires patience. And St. Paul says, pray unceasingly.

[Father Mykola]

Christ is Risen!
Indeed He is Risen!
I am looking for the rubrics and text of the Funeral Service as it is to be performed during Bright week. I have it in Ukrainian and need an English language version. Is it available on the internet somewhere?

Yours in Christ
Fr. Mykola

[Fr Averky]

XPUCTOC BOCKPECE!

Dear in Christ Father Mykola,

I will try to find you the rubrics later today, but the funeral for a layman during Bright Week is of course, keyed more towards the Resurrection, and is composed basically of the Paschal Canon, plus the usual small litanies. This is what we do in our monastery, which is part of the Russian Church Outside of Russia -we rely upon Trebniki originally printed in Imperial Russia, but I don't think anything has changed essentially since then. To our joy, several years ago one of our most venerable old Fathers died on Pascha, and his funeral was truly blessed. There are others who know the internet better than I so perhaps you will have received an answer before I can get back to you. All the best in your search.

C Bogom!

Hieromonk Averky

[Adam]

Dear all! Ihave bought recently a beautiful booklet: the Psalter. It is in German, bought in Austria.The Psalter in Kathismaas divided, but I am not sure when should be , we can say, the fourth kathisma read. Is there any rule or it depends from the stand of my soul? I would be thankful for explain it to me.