Hapgood or Nassar?

[Ryan]

I am thinking I should get my hands on a good service book, to better acquaint myself with the Church's liturgical life. Right now I'm looking at ordering either the Hapgood "Service Book" or Nassar's "Divine Prayers and Services."Both books seem to have a good reputation; I'm wondering what members of this board think. It seems that Nassar's book is quite a bit longer- how unwieldy is it to hold and carry around compared to Hapgood's?

[Father David Moser]

If you are looking for a service book to follow along in - neither Hapgood nor Nassar will be helpful except as a reference text. Both are the old standards, among the venerable first efforts (along with the Orloff Menaion and Octoechos) to present service materials in English. However, no one I know uses any of these for the normal text of the services anymore as the language is difficult and unwieldy. These days for the normal daily (or weekly) services, I would suggest something like the "Unabridged Horologion" from Jordanville (or I think there is a similar publication from one of the Greek sources). These texts are actually used on a daily basis. Then for the changeable parts there are many many source books needed. I would suggest the Menaion from St John of Kronstadt press (or the similar publication from Holy Transfiguration). The Sunday Octoechos from the Convent of the Veil in France (Mother Maria, Bishop Kallistos) or the St John of Kronstadt complete Octoechos is another necessity for the resurrectional stuff. Additionally, the Festal Menaion (Faber and Faber), Triodion (Faber and Faber) and Pentecostarion (Holy Transfiguration - I think St John of Kronstadt Press is also be working on one) would be necessary. For all of these variations, the text itself is actually the same - the differences are in translation. Much of the service material is online:
http://pages.prodigy.net/frjohnwhiteford/services.htm
http://www.orthodoxliturgicaltext.com/
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/ephrem/general.htm

I'm sure others have other online resources - these are just the ones that I have bookmarked.

Fr David Moser

[Herman Blaydoe]

If you don't use at least four different books, it is not a real Orthodox service!

[Ryan]

Thank you Father Moser.

I had in mind though something to use for my own personal study at home, that wouldn't cost a fortune. The church I attend usually prints out the texts appropriate to the various services for everyone.

[Father David Moser]

Ryan,

In that case I would go with the online resources at: http://pages.prodigy.net/frjohnwhiteford/services.htm since they have the unchanging service material as well as some of the changeable parts and it doesn't cost you a dime (other than your internet account and whatever downloading charges your provider might impose).

Fr David