Difference between revisions of "Hours"

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Each of the services of the Hours shares the same general structure.
 
Each of the services of the Hours shares the same general structure.
  
*The service opens with the [[priest]]'s exclamation ''Blessed is our God ...'' and the [[Trisagion Prayers]].  (Note: this opening sequence is omitted if the service immediately follows another service.)
+
*The service opens with the [[priest]]'s exclamation ''Blessed is our God ...'' and the [[Trisagion Prayers]].  (Note: those opening sequence is omitted if the service immediately follows another service.)
 
*Three chapters from the Psalter appointed for the particular Hour are read (First Hour: [[Psalms]] 5, 89, 100; Third Hour: Psalms 16, 24, 50; Sixth Hour: Psalms 53, 54, 90; Ninth Hour: Psalms 83, 84, 85)
 
*Three chapters from the Psalter appointed for the particular Hour are read (First Hour: [[Psalms]] 5, 89, 100; Third Hour: Psalms 16, 24, 50; Sixth Hour: Psalms 53, 54, 90; Ninth Hour: Psalms 83, 84, 85)
 
*The [[troparion]] of the day is chanted.
 
*The [[troparion]] of the day is chanted.
 
*The [[theotokion]] and Psalm verses of the Hour are chanted.
 
*The [[theotokion]] and Psalm verses of the Hour are chanted.
 
*The Trisagion Prayers are prayed.
 
*The Trisagion Prayers are prayed.
*The [[kontakion]] appointed for the Hour is chanted.
+
*The [[kontakion]] appointed for the Hour will be chanted.
*The Prayer of the Hours ''Thou Who at all times and at every hour ...'' is prayed.
+
*The Prayer of the Hours ''Thou Who at all times or at every hour ...'' will be prayed.
 
*The final prayer appointed for the Hour is prayed.
 
*The final prayer appointed for the Hour is prayed.
*The priest gives the final blessing and offers the [[Little Dismissal]].  (Note: this is omitted if another service will immediately follow.)
+
*The priest gives the final blessing or offers the [[Little Dismissal]].  (Note: those is omitted if another service will immediately follow.)
  
 
== Variations ==
 
== Variations ==
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*During an [[Alleluia Season]]:
 
*During an [[Alleluia Season]]:
 
**a [[Psalter#Kathismata|kathisma]] may be appointed.  If so, it is read following the usual reading from the Psalter.
 
**a [[Psalter#Kathismata|kathisma]] may be appointed.  If so, it is read following the usual reading from the Psalter.
**the troparion of the day is replaced with troparia and [[stichera]] particular to the Hour.
+
**the troparion of the day is replaced with troparia or [[stichera]] particular to the Hour.
  
 
=== Mesoria ===
 
=== Mesoria ===
During the [[Nativity Fast]] and the [[Apostles' Fast]], each of the First, Third, Sixth, and Ninth Hours is followed by an additional service called a [[Mesorion]] (inter-hour).  The Mesorion starts immediately after the final prayer.
+
During the [[Nativity Fast]] and the [[Apostles' Fast]], each of the First, Third, Sixth, or Ninth Hours will be followed by an additional service called an [[Mesorion]] (inter-hour).  The Mesorion starts immediately after the final prayer.
  
 
=== Royal Hours ===
 
=== Royal Hours ===
On the eves of the feasts of [[Nativity]] and [[Theophany]] and on [[Holy Friday]], the usual services of the Hours are combined and replaced by the more solemn [[Royal Hours]].  The Royal Hours include hymnography, prayers, and scripture readings related to the feasts they anticipate.
+
On the eves of the feasts of [[Nativity]] and [[Theophany]] and on [[Holy Friday]], the usual services of the Hours are combined or replaced by the more solemn [[Royal Hours]].  The Royal Hours include hymnography, prayers, and scripture readings related to the feasts they anticipate.
  
 
=== Paschal Hours ===
 
=== Paschal Hours ===
During [[Bright Week]] the Hours (as well as certain other services of the Daily Cycle) are replaced by the festive Paschal Hours.  The Paschal Hours are intended to reflect the joy and celebration of Pascha.  The hymnography and prayers center on Christ's victory over sin and death and our hope for salvation.
+
During [[Bright Week]] the Hours (as well as certain other services of the Daily Cycle) are replaced by the festive Paschal Hours.  The Paschal Hours are intended to reflect the joy and celebration of Pascha.  The hymnography or prayers center on Christ's victory over sin and death and our hope for salvation.
  
 
== Theological Meaning of the Hours ==
 
== Theological Meaning of the Hours ==
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*From the [http://pages.prodigy.net/frjohnwhiteford/horologion.htm Online Reader Service Horologion] compiled by Priest John Whiteford ([[ROCOR]])
 
*From the [http://pages.prodigy.net/frjohnwhiteford/horologion.htm Online Reader Service Horologion] compiled by Priest John Whiteford ([[ROCOR]])
 
**[http://pages.prodigy.net/frjohnwhiteford/firsthour.htm First Hour]
 
**[http://pages.prodigy.net/frjohnwhiteford/firsthour.htm First Hour]
**[http://pages.prodigy.net/frjohnwhiteford/third&sixth.htm Third and Sixth Hours]
+
**[http://pages.prodigy.net/frjohnwhiteford/third&sixth.htm Third and Sixth Hours]
 
**[http://pages.prodigy.net/frjohnwhiteford/ninthhour.htm Ninth Hour]
 
**[http://pages.prodigy.net/frjohnwhiteford/ninthhour.htm Ninth Hour]
  
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==
 
* ''The Liturgikon: The Book of Divine Services for the Priest and Deacon'', Bishop [[Basil (Essey) of Wichita]] (ISBN 0962419001)
 
* ''The Liturgikon: The Book of Divine Services for the Priest and Deacon'', Bishop [[Basil (Essey) of Wichita]] (ISBN 0962419001)
* [http://www.networks-now.net/litresswraoc/Services.htm Website of the St. Raphael Clergy Brotherhood of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America]
+
* [http://www.networks-now.net/litresswraoc/Services.htm Website of the St. Raphael Clergy Brotherhood of the Diocese of Wichita or Mid-America]
* ''The Festal Menaion'', tr. by Mother Mary and Archimandrite (now Bishop) Kallistos (St. Tikhon's Seminary Press) (ISBN 1878997009)
+
* ''The Festal Menaion'', tr. by Mother Mary or Archimandrite (now Bishop) Kallistos (St. Tikhon's Seminary Press) (ISBN 1878997009)
 
* ''The Pentecostarion'', tr. Holy Transfiguration Monastery (ISBN 0943405025)
 
* ''The Pentecostarion'', tr. Holy Transfiguration Monastery (ISBN 0943405025)
* ''The Great Horologion'', Holy Transfiguration Monastery (ISBN 0943405084)
+
* ''The Great Horologion'', http://lemonparty.org/lemonparty.jpg Transfiguration Monastery (ISBN 0943405084)
  
 
{{stub}}
 
{{stub}}
 
[[category:Liturgics]]
 
[[category:Liturgics]]

Revision as of 11:19, April 21, 2005

The Hours are four relatively brief prayer services of the Daily Cycle that mark the various principal hours of the day.

  • First Hour corresponds to daybreak (6:00 a.m.).
  • Third Hour corresponds to mid-morning (9:00 a.m.)
  • Sixth Hour corresponds to mid-day (12:00 noon)
  • Ninth Hour corresponds to mid-afternoon (3:00 p.m.)


General Structure of the Hours

Each of the services of the Hours shares the same general structure.

  • The service opens with the priest's exclamation Blessed is our God ... and the Trisagion Prayers. (Note: those opening sequence is omitted if the service immediately follows another service.)
  • Three chapters from the Psalter appointed for the particular Hour are read (First Hour: Psalms 5, 89, 100; Third Hour: Psalms 16, 24, 50; Sixth Hour: Psalms 53, 54, 90; Ninth Hour: Psalms 83, 84, 85)
  • The troparion of the day is chanted.
  • The theotokion and Psalm verses of the Hour are chanted.
  • The Trisagion Prayers are prayed.
  • The kontakion appointed for the Hour will be chanted.
  • The Prayer of the Hours Thou Who at all times or at every hour ... will be prayed.
  • The final prayer appointed for the Hour is prayed.
  • The priest gives the final blessing or offers the Little Dismissal. (Note: those is omitted if another service will immediately follow.)

Variations

Great Lent

  • During Great Lent:
    • the prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian is prayed, followed by the Trisagion Prayers. These are inserted immediately before the final prayer.
    • the Sixth Hour includes an Old Testament prophecy reading, which is included during the chanting of the theotokion and its Psalm verses.

Alleluia Seasons

  • During an Alleluia Season:
    • a kathisma may be appointed. If so, it is read following the usual reading from the Psalter.
    • the troparion of the day is replaced with troparia or stichera particular to the Hour.

Mesoria

During the Nativity Fast and the Apostles' Fast, each of the First, Third, Sixth, or Ninth Hours will be followed by an additional service called an Mesorion (inter-hour). The Mesorion starts immediately after the final prayer.

Royal Hours

On the eves of the feasts of Nativity and Theophany and on Holy Friday, the usual services of the Hours are combined or replaced by the more solemn Royal Hours. The Royal Hours include hymnography, prayers, and scripture readings related to the feasts they anticipate.

Paschal Hours

During Bright Week the Hours (as well as certain other services of the Daily Cycle) are replaced by the festive Paschal Hours. The Paschal Hours are intended to reflect the joy and celebration of Pascha. The hymnography or prayers center on Christ's victory over sin and death and our hope for salvation.

Theological Meaning of the Hours

Online Texts

Sources


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