Book on Orthodox worship

[Mourad Mankarios]

Whenever I read any texts on Byzantine and Slavic worship, whether on this forum or anywhere else, I come across so many terms that it can often be quite confusing. Terms such as Parakliti, Octoichos, Pentecostarion, Triodion, Menaion, Menlogoion, Irmos, Orthros, Akathist, Stichera, etc

I was just wondering if there's any good book recommendations that anyone can make that may provide some explanation of Byzantine and Slavic worship and define some of the terms mentioned above.

If there's anything that provides information with regards to the history and authorship of some of these prayers and hymns that would be great as well.

On another note I was just wondering if anyone might have any good book recommendations with regards to the Byzantine and Slavic liturgy service (euchologion) and services of the hours (horologion).

Thanks in advance

[Anthony Stokes]

Hi Mourad,


Whenever I read any texts on Byzantine and Slavic worship, whether on this forum or anywhere else, I come across so many terms that it can often be quite confusing. Terms such as Parakliti, Octoichos, Pentecostarion, Triodion, Menaion, Menlogoion, Irmos, Orthros, Akathist, Stichera, etc

I was just wondering if there's any good book recommendations that anyone can make that may provide some explanation of Byzantine and Slavic worship and define some of the terms mentioned above.

If there's anything that provides information with regards to the history and authorship of some of these prayers and hymns that would be great as well.

There are quite a few "Orthodox Dictionaries" online. If you just search for "Orthodox terminology" or "Orthodox dictionary," you should find quite a few resources.


On another note I was just wondering if anyone might have any good book recommendations with regards to the Byzantine and Slavic liturgy service (euchologion) and services of the hours (horologion).

Thanks in advance

You might want to look at the books by Fr. Robert F. Taft, a Byzantine Catholic Jesuit Archimandrite who taught at the Vatican's Oriental Institiude for a long time. He is one of the foremost scholars on Liturgy and its history. He has a short book on the "History of the Byzantine Rite," and a more in-depth book called "The Liturgy of the Hours in East and West." I've been reading his "Through Their Own Eyes: Liturgy as the Byzantines Saw It." Lots of great information.

Sbdn. Anthony

[Ryan]

There is a good explanation of the major service books (e.g., Triodion, Menaion, etc.) here (http://www.orthodoxphotos.com/readings/divine/divine.shtml). It is from Fr. Seraphim Slobodskoi's The Law of God catechism.

[M.C. Steenberg]

There are quite a few "Orthodox Dictionaries" online.

Such as ours (http://www.monachos.net/content/liturgics/liturgical-studies/481-orthodox-dictionary-glossary).

[Michael Astley]

Whenever I read any texts on Byzantine and Slavic worship, whether on this forum or anywhere else, I come across so many terms that it can often be quite confusing. Terms such as Parakliti, Octoichos, Pentecostarion, Triodion, Menaion, Menlogoion, Irmos, Orthros, Akathist, Stichera, etc

I was just wondering if there's any good book recommendations that anyone can make that may provide some explanation of Byzantine and Slavic worship and define some of the terms mentioned above.

Actually, in my experience, many of the books listed above will actually themselves contain such a glossary at the back, giving defintions and perhaps a brief explanation of the use of some of the terms or the books/hymns/devotions to which they refer.

In Christ,
Michael