Gospels during the week at Great Compline

[Scamandrius]

Glory to our Lord Jesus Christ!

Right before the dismissal of Great Compline on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and of Small Compline with the Akathist hymn on Friday, our priest read a selection from the Gospels. Yet, I cannot find any reference, in the Triodion or on any of the webpages of various jurisdictions for any appointed Gospel readings. I was under the impression that the Old Testament, particularly Genesis, Proverbs and Isaiah were appointed since no liturgy, except that of the pre-sanctified, is given. Can anyone fill me in on where these are coming from? I'm mainly curious, but do the offices and the liturgy allow for straying from established practice?

I would have asked him, but there was no time to do so.

Thanks.

[Fr Raphael Vereshack]

During weekdays of the first six weeks of Great Lent Isaiah is appointed to be read during the 6th Hour; and Genesis & Proverbs at Vespers. Genesis & Proverbs would also be read at the Pre-sanctified since Vespers forms part of this service; but a Pre-sanctified could have an Epistle & Gospel reading if the saint being commemorated was of Polyeley or Vigil rank- in practice this only refers to the Feasts of the Discovery of the Head of St John the Baptist (Feb 24) 40 Martyrs of Sebasteia (March 9) and the Annunciation (March 25).

Gospels are not prescribed to be read at Great Compline. However I do not think it is right to try to answer the question, "I'm mainly curious, but do the offices and the liturgy allow for straying from established practice?" until one has heard from the priest who has done this in the first place. Churches, jurisdictions & even parishes have different established practices. Often this is the result of pastoral needs which must be balanced with what the typikon says.

In Christ- Fr Raphael

[Fr Raphael Vereshack]

I was just taking a look through the Ustav list and the following question appeared:


According to the Antiochian Liturgikon, at Great
Compline a great censing should be performed during
singing of Psalm 150 and later (during the first week
of the Great Fast) the appointed Gospel should be
sung.

So it appears there may be some legitimate reading of a Gospel at Great Compline after all.

The only person on this list though to try to answer the question about the Gospel could not come up with a clear explanation.

In Christ- Fr Raphael