Psalter readings during the lesser fasts

[David Dietrich]

In the horologion it calls for the psalter to be read during the fasts (Lenten and otherwise). It's easy to find which kathisma are to be read at the hours during Lent, but where do I find the kathisma to be read during the other fasts?

[Father David Moser]

In the horologion it calls for the psalter to be read during the fasts (Lenten and otherwise). It's easy to find which kathisma are to be read at the hours during Lent, but where do I find the kathisma to be read during the other fasts?

During the lesser fasts, the typicon sometimes directs that services be according to the lenten order - iow, we use the rubrics for the daily services during Great Lent to serve the daily services during the lesser lents. Thus one will then use the same order for reading psalter during the lesser fasts as he would during Great Lent.

Fr David Moser

[Anthony Stokes]

In the horologion it calls for the psalter to be read during the fasts (Lenten and otherwise). It's easy to find which kathisma are to be read at the hours during Lent, but where do I find the kathisma to be read during the other fasts?

The different Psalters that I have seen, only have lists for Lent and Outside of Lent. Within Lent there are variations (5th week, Holy Week, & Annunciation in the 5th week).

So, as far as Vespers and Matins are concerned, the Kathisma readings do not change during the Lesser Fasts. Now, that is according to one Psalter.

I have seen another Psalter that used the Lenten order for the Nativity Fast as well, but not the Apostles Fast or Dormition Fast.

Hope that helps a bit,
Subdeacon Anthony

[David Dietrich]

During the lesser fasts, the typicon sometimes directs that services be according to the lenten order - iow, we use the rubrics for the daily services during Great Lent to serve the daily services during the lesser lents. Thus one will then use the same order for reading psalter during the lesser fasts as he would during Great Lent.

Fr David Moser

I don't understand what you mean by "sometimes" the services are to be done according to the Lenten order. As I understand it from my horologion, all the periods where an alleluia is sung at matins instead of God is the Lord call for psalm reading after the initial three psalms during the hours.

[Father David Moser]

I don't understand what you mean by "sometimes" the services are to be done according to the Lenten order.

That particular rubric is not generally practiced in all places. I have seen it mostly in monasteries and sometimes in Cathedrals.

Fr David Moser

[Fr Raphael Vereshack]

I don't understand what you mean by "sometimes" the services are to be done according to the Lenten order. As I understand it from my horologion, all the periods where an alleluia is sung at matins instead of God is the Lord call for psalm reading after the initial three psalms during the hours.

One can on certain weekdays during the lesser fasts follow a semi-lenten order. This order is not identical to that of Great Lent. One characteristic of this difference is that the Psalter is read according to its regular non-lenten order. So at the hours even if done according to the lenten order after the normal 3 psalms the Psalter is not read as in Great Lent.

In Christ- Fr Raphael

[David Dietrich]

Ah, thank you very much. I am curious, however, as to how you knew this? The horologion I have mentions nothing about the differences between the Lenten and non-Lenten fasts other than that the Ladder is not read outside Lent. Perhaps I have not looked through the instructions in the psalter carefully enough. Or perhaps this is a rubric only found directly from the typicon?

[Anthony Stokes]

Ah, thank you very much. I am curious, however, as to how you knew this? The horologion I have mentions nothing about the differences between the Lenten and non-Lenten fasts other than that the Ladder is not read outside Lent. Perhaps I have not looked through the instructions in the psalter carefully enough. Or perhaps this is a rubric only found directly from the typicon?


There are other differences in the services, especially Vespers and Matins. The order for Vespers in a Lesser Fast is quite different at the end than it is during Great Lent. I'm not sure that there are many differences though in the Hours.

Sdbn. Anthony

[Fr Raphael Vereshack]

Ah, thank you very much. I am curious, however, as to how you knew this? The horologion I have mentions nothing about the differences between the Lenten and non-Lenten fasts other than that the Ladder is not read outside Lent. Perhaps I have not looked through the instructions in the psalter carefully enough. Or perhaps this is a rubric only found directly from the typicon?

These descriptions come from the typikon.

In English there was a full (and for the most part correct) description of this second lenten option during the other fasts in one of the appendices of The Order of Divine Services that was published by St John of Kronstadt Press.

If you can read Russian even a bit however there is full description for every day given in the Bogosluzhebniye Ukazaniya which is published annually.

In Christ- Fr Raphael

[Anthony Stokes]

These descriptions come from the typikon.
In English there was a full (and for the most part correct) description of this second lenten option during the other fasts in one of the appendices of The Order of Divine Services that was published by St John of Kronstadt Press.



Yes, these originally were in the SJKP Liturgical Calendar, but now they are available as a separate set of appendices, or as part of the 2007 edition of the Order of Divine Services.

Sbdn. Anthony