Canonical hours

[Stuart Dunn]

There are many sites dedicated to RC's Liturgy of the Hours, what they are, and how to pray them. I have found several sites dedicated to daily hours in the Orthodox Church, but never found a site with a guide on how to pray them. Is there one that explains how to as simply as possible? (I know it is no simple task that's why I said as possible.)

[Effie Ganatsios]

There are many sites dedicated to RC's Liturgy of the Hours, what they are, and how to pray them. I have found several sites dedicated to daily hours in the Orthodox Church, but never found a site with a guide on how to pray them. Is there one that explains how to as simply as possible? (I know it is no simple task that's why I said as possible.)

Perhaps this will help, Stuart.

http://www.unicorne.org/ORTHODOXY/2005/time.htm

Effie


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[M.C. Steenberg]

Dear Mr Dunn and others,

It strikes me we had a conversation on another topic, not terribly long ago, that involved a notable segue into this theme. I can't think off-hand what it was -- but perhaps a little time with the search feature might yield some fruit. But in any case, as soon as time permits, I'd like very much to talk more about the hours. There is such a richness of theology there that's worth exploring.

INXC, Dcn Matthew

[Andreas Moran]

Perhaps this will help, Stuart.

http://www.unicorne.org/ORTHODOXY/2005/time.htm

Effie

I looked at this link. If anyone else has and had the same reaction as I (horror!), there is always the rule of St Seraphim of Sarov for laypeople.

On rising, say the 'Our Father' three times, 'Theotokos and Virgin rejoice . . .', and the Creed. (The first prayers.)

Go to work but say, as you are able, the Jesus Prayer or just 'Lord have mercy'.

Before lunch, say the first prayers, thrice.

After lunch, go about your business, saying as you are able, 'Most Holy Mother of God save me a sinner'.

During any solitary moments, say, 'Lord Jesus Christ through the Mother of God have mercy on me a sinner'.

Before going to bed, say the first prayer and cross yourself.

St Seraphim said, 'by keeping this simple rule it is possible to reach a measure of Christian perfection and divine love'.

Further, as Bishop Eirenaios told me, even a mindfulness of God is prayer.

[Stuart Dunn]

Would you say this is accurate in the different prayers for each day?

http://orthodoxwiki.org/Daily_Cycle

Or are there more or less?

[Nicolaj]

Dear Stuart,

I think it is accurate and a good help when starting the daily prayer cycle.
I like to ask you if you are just trying out some things in Orthodoxy and how they will match with your RC practice or are you thinking seriously about becoming orthodox?

In Christ! Nicolaj

[Herman Blaydoe]

Would you say this is accurate in the different prayers for each day?

http://orthodoxwiki.org/Daily_Cycle

Or are there more or less?

Pretty much, more or less. It depends?

This certainly sums up the formal cycle of prayers. But the first rule of monasticism is never take your typicon to another monastery.

I've said this many times. Prayer is spiritual exercise, and is very analogous to physical exercise. Too much can be harmful, too little does not get you where you need to be. What is too much or too little is different for different people. It depends on where you are now and where you want to be, and how quickly you want or need to get there. It depends on how much time and effort you are able or willing to commit. There is no single rule for all people, except for the Apostle Paul's admonition to pray without ceasing. This is the goal we should all strive for, however we go about achieving it. A simple rule is good for many people. If nothing else, it keeps us from being "proud" of our achievements. A more challenging rule works for others, as long as they stay aware that pride can negate all their efforts if they let it.

[Stuart Dunn]

Dear Stuart,

I think it is accurate and a good help when starting the daily prayer cycle.
I like to ask you if you are just trying out some things in Orthodoxy and how they will match with your RC practice or are you thinking seriously about becoming orthodox?

In Christ! Nicolaj

At the moment I am trying to merely educate myself on Orthodoxy. Being in the West, I feel there is less known about Orthodoxy than Catholicism or Protestantism.

[Effie Ganatsios]

I looked at this link. If anyone else has and had the same reaction as I (horror!), there is always the rule of St Seraphim of Sarov for laypeople.

On rising, say the 'Our Father' three times, 'Theotokos and Virgin rejoice . . .', and the Creed. (The first prayers.)

Go to work but say, as you are able, the Jesus Prayer or just 'Lord have mercy'.

Before lunch, say the first prayers, thrice.

After lunch, go about your business, saying as you are able, 'Most Holy Mother of God save me a sinner'.

During any solitary moments, say, 'Lord Jesus Christ through the Mother of God have mercy on me a sinner'.

Before going to bed, say the first prayer and cross yourself.

St Seraphim said, 'by keeping this simple rule it is possible to reach a measure of Christian perfection and divine love'.

Further, as Bishop Eirenaios told me, even a mindfulness of God is prayer.

Andreas, I'm sorry you had that reaction, but I think the rule in the link I posted is for monks and not laymen.

I assumed that the first poster wanted a detailed explanation of the orthodox daily hours.

I have downloaded and printed the simplified hours which is what I usually use. This is the link for the 3rd hour (9a.m.) and 6th hour (noon).

http://pages.prodigy.net/frjohnwhiteford/third&sixth.htm

Effie


http://pages.prodigy.net/frjohnwhiteford/horologion.htm

[M.C. Steenberg]

Dear Andreas, you wrote:


I looked at this link. If anyone else has and had the same reaction as I (horror!), there is always the rule of St Seraphim of Sarov for laypeople.

I've just had a look at the link. The author seems essentially to be describing a monastic practice, as found in some Russian-cultured monastic environments in the past (and present), whereby portions of various services are replaced by great (great) numbers of repetitions of the Jesus Prayer. What I didn't see mentioned (though I was skimming, so apologies if I missed it) was that this is generally thought to be a practice for rather advanced, hesychastic monastics. It is not simply a general rule or practice -- not least because it is exceptionally challenging, but also because it diminishes the time spent in the liturgical cycles of the Church.

I did find it interesting to see it coupled with a rule for reading the entire psalter 'once during the day and once during the night'. That's a heavy daily cycle if ever there was one.

INXC, Dcn Matthew

[Andreas Moran]

I assumed, of course, that the regime was for indefatigable monastics, though I know no monastics who keep such a rule. I suppose everything was put there for completeness. As for the number of prostrations - well, I get a bit puffed tying my shoelaces!

[Effie Ganatsios]

I assumed, of course, that the regime was for indefatigable monastics, though I know no monastics who keep such a rule. I suppose everything was put there for completeness. As for the number of prostrations - well, I get a bit puffed tying my shoelaces!

Prostrations are apparently good for your health though. I don't remember where I read that but I have the vague impression that it was in one of Geronda Paisios' books.

There was a documentary about the part of his life spent in the Sinai desert about a week ago, and I managed to miss it............

Effie

[Seda S.]

A great number of prostrations are not for people of nowadays. Our knees, unfortunately, weeker than those of our ancestors. I'm not joking. One may easily harm one's knees by many prostrations.

Take care of your knees!

In love,
S.

[Effie Ganatsios]

A great number of prostrations are not for people of nowadays. Our knees, unfortunately, weeker than those of our ancestors. I'm not joking. One may easily harm one's knees by many prostrations.

Take care of your knees!

In love,
S.

Very true, Seda. The older we get ,the more various parts of our bodies start acting up. But I have the impression that the more active we are, the better it is for our bodies, knees included. As long as they are in good condition, of course.

I have never seen anyone do a full prostration except for young priests when they are being ordained. Most people just sort of bend down and touch the floor with their fingers.


Effie

[Seda S.]

I have never seen anyone do a full prostration except for young priests when they are being ordained. Most people just sort of bend down and touch the floor with their fingers.

Effie

Dear Effie

You are right. But I didn't mean the prostrations made in the church, but those in our private prayers.

By the way, how do you (that is, the Eastern Orthodox) use your official Prayer book (of canonical hours; I don't know how that book is called in English) in your private prayer rules. Is it allowed to simple believers to pray (or sing etc.) everything that is in that book, or there are restrictions for them?

S.

[Herman Blaydoe]

I have never seen anyone do a full prostration except for young priests when they are being ordained. Most people just sort of bend down and touch the floor with their fingers.

In the Russian tradition, touching the floor is referred to as a metania, it is not considered a prostration per se. Prostrations are still kneeling and touching one's head to the floor. But that becomes rather difficult when there are pews in a church.

[Effie Ganatsios]

In the Russian tradition, touching the floor is referred to as a metania, it is not considered a prostration per se. Prostrations are still kneeling and touching one's head to the floor. But that becomes rather difficult when there are pews in a church.

They are also called metania (repentance) in Greek, Herman. During the liturgy I see some women kneel down and bow as low as they can - not quite touching their foreheads to the floor but close.

Herman, forgive my ignorance, but I always had the impression that a prostration was when someone was lying full length on the floor. As you can see, I am still learning, will be until I die, I imagine.

I just found this at http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/practical.aspx

"Very often those new to Orthodoxy, or new to keeping Orthodox traditions, make these prostrations in ways which are ungainly, difficult and possibly injurious—by kneeling down and flopping forward for instance. The better way to make them and the way employed by people from Orthodox cultures is difficult to explain in words, but much easier to execute; it is thus: make the sign of the Cross, bow forward from the waist, and continue down, bending the knees somewhat, until both hands touch the floor in front of you. Make sure your hands are placed directly below the shoulders, not too close and not too far apart (this will make rising easier). Then bend the knees more till they touch the floor, at the same time bringing down your forehead to the floor. In rising, first lift the head and then push up on the arms to straighten out. If you find this difficult to understand, ask an "experienced prostrater" to show you and help you. You will find this much easier than the "kneel and flop" method, and that you will almost be able to make the whole movement down (death) and up (resurrection) in one. Of course, if you are elderly, pregnant or infirm, you should be careful about making prostrations and no one will expect you to do so. One can bow at the times when the others are prostrating. Don't be too ready to excuse yourself on account of infirmity though—I can remember elderly Russian ladies at the old Cathedral at Emperors's Gate showing an example by making prostrations to the ground, even if it required two younger and fitter people then to pick them up afterwards!"

Sort of like going under the Lord's epitaphio on Good Friday and being lifted up by the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides waiting on the other side to help you up.


Seda, I don't have an official prayer book because I find the Greek too difficult. I have downloaded an English version of the hours (the simplified version that I've already posted a link to) and I try to keep these hours when I am home - I have to admit that I am not always very successful. I'm sorry I can't help you with your question, but perhaps someone else more knowledgeable can.

Effie

[Kris]

By the way, how do you (that is, the Eastern Orthodox) use your official Prayer book (of canonical hours; I don't know how that book is called in English) in your private prayer rules. Is it allowed to simple believers to pray (or sing etc.) everything that is in that book, or there are restrictions for them?


I believe it is simply called the Book of Hours (Horologion). Usage is fairly simple: Each hour begins (like almost every other prayer service) with the introductory prayers (O Heavenly King...Trisagion, etc.), this is followed by 3 Psalms, the troparion for the day, theotokion and psalm verse for the hour, the trisagion prayers for a second time, kontakion for the day, 40x Kyrie eleison, Prayer of the Hours, and concluding prayers of that hour.

The majority of believers, as far as I know, do not use the Hours in their everyday prayer rules. This is not because it is forbidden - far from it - but simply because few people outside of a monastic setting are able (willing?) to do so.

The most common prayer rules consist of morning and evening prayers, both of which are taken largely from the beginning and end of the Midnight Office respectively.

But how one prays is ultimately down to the advice of ones spiritual father, and no real standard therefore exists when it comes to private prayer rules.

[Nicolaj]

Dear Brethren,

As I became Orthodox for some years I was somewhat overwhelmed by the many rules there were to be taken care of. But I solved it the way that I always adopt one at the time and so grows with advancing experience, hand in hand.

Christos voskrese! Nicolaj

[Nicolaj]

At the moment I am trying to merely educate myself on Orthodoxy. Being in the West, I feel there is less known about Orthodoxy than Catholicism or Protestantism.

I can only pray for you that you will be able to see the rich treasures in Orthodoxy for you. And yes there is less known about Orthodoxy and that is for a good reason! Satan hates Orthodoxy because here he is more recognized then anywhere else.
So be a good scholar and find the narrow path!

Christos voskrese! Nicolaj

[Seda S.]

I believe it is simply called the Book of Hours (Horologion). Usage is fairly simple: Each hour begins (like almost every other prayer service) with the introductory prayers (O Heavenly King...Trisagion, etc.), this is followed by 3 Psalms, the troparion for the day, theotokion and psalm verse for the hour, the trisagion prayers for a second time, kontakion for the day, 40x Kyrie eleison, Prayer of the Hours, and concluding prayers of that hour.

The majority of believers, as far as I know, do not use the Hours in their everyday prayer rules. This is not because it is forbidden - far from it - but simply because few people outside of a monastic setting are able (willing?) to do so.

The most common prayer rules consist of morning and evening prayers, both of which are taken largely from the beginning and end of the Midnight Office respectively.

But how one prays is ultimately down to the advice of ones spiritual father, and no real standard therefore exists when it comes to private prayer rules.

Thank you, Kris, for the information.

I have another request. I have read that the prayers of Sts Mardarius and Eustratius are included in the Book of Hours of the EO Church. Could someone of you bring those prayers here in English, if it's not difficult? I'll be very grateful to you.

With love in the Lord,

S.

[Father David Moser]

Thank you, Kris, for the information.

I have another request. I have read that the prayers of Sts Mardarius and Eustratius are included in the Book of Hours of the EO Church. Could someone of you bring those prayers here in English, if it's not difficult? I'll be very grateful to you.

With love in the Lord,

S.

The entire text of the horologion arranged for reader's services (services without a priest) is available here (http://www.saintjonah.org/services/horologion.htm)

In that list you will find all of the daily hours (1,3,6,9) along with the other daily services (vespers, great/small compline, nocturne/midnight, matins, typica)

The prayer of St Mardarius is at the end of the third hour, I did not find the prayer of St Eustratius.

Fr David Moser

[Seda S.]

Thank you, Fr David, for the link to Horologion.
I found both prayers (the second is in the Midnight Service for Saturdays).

With love,

S.

[Olympiada]

There are many sites dedicated to RC's Liturgy of the Hours, what they are, and how to pray them. I have found several sites dedicated to daily hours in the Orthodox Church, but never found a site with a guide on how to pray them. Is there one that explains how to as simply as possible? (I know it is no simple task that's why I said as possible.)
Just buy an horologion and follow that. Arcbhishop Lazar put out a publication about the hours. You might want to write to Saint Herman of Alaska brotherhood in Platina, CA or Saint Paisius Monastery in Arizona and ask them about this.