Difference between revisions of "Nychthemeron"

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'''Nychthemeron''' or nuchthemeron, (Greek: '''Νυχθημερόν'''; nykt-"night", hemera-"day") is a full day of twenty-four consecutive hours, night and day. The term is found in the [[New Testament]], in 2 Corinthians 11:25.  
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'''Nychthemeron''' or nuchthemeron, (Greek: '' '''Νυχθημερόν''' ''; nykt-"night", hemera-"day") is a full calendar day of twenty-four consecutive hours, night and day. The term is found in the [[New Testament]], in 2 Corinthians 11:25.  
  
Following Roman custom, the Byzantines began their calendrical day (''nychthemeron'') at midnight with the first hour of day (hemera) coming at dawn. The third hour marked midmorning, the sixth hour noon, and the ninth hour midafternoon. Evening (hespera) began at the 11th hour, and with sunset came the first hour of night (apodeipnon). The interval between sunset and sunrise (''nyx'') was similarly divided into 12 hours as well as the traditional "watches" (vigiliae) of Roman times.<ref>Prof. Dr. [http://aha.missouri.edu/people/rautman.html Marcus Louis Rautman]. "Time." In: '''[http://books.google.ca/books?id=hs3iEyVRHKsC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_navlinks_s Daily Life in the Byzantine Empire]'''. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2006. p.3.</ref>
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==History==
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Following Roman custom, the Byzantines began their calendrical day (''nychthemeron'') at midnight with the first hour of day ''(hemera)'' coming at dawn. The third hour marked midmorning, the sixth hour noon, and the ninth hour midafternoon. Evening ''([[Vespers|hespera]])'' began at the 11th hour, and with sunset came the first hour of night ''([[Compline|apodeipnon]])''. The interval between sunset and sunrise (''nyx'') was similarly divided into 12 hours as well as the traditional "watches" (''vigiliae'') of Roman times.<ref>Prof. Dr. [http://aha.missouri.edu/people/rautman.html Marcus Louis Rautman]. "Time." In: '''[http://books.google.ca/books?id=hs3iEyVRHKsC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_navlinks_s Daily Life in the Byzantine Empire]'''. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2006. p.3.</ref>
  
In addition the term is sometimes used, especially in technical literature, to avoid the ambiguity inherent in the term ''day''. It is the period of time that a calendar normally labels with a date.
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The period of time known as the ''nychthemeron'' thus defined the [[Daily Cycle]] of divine services of prayer and worship that punctuates each liturgical day in the life of the Orthodox Church.
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
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* [[Daily Cycle]]
 
* [[Hours]].
 
* [[Hours]].
 
* [[Horologion]].
 
* [[Horologion]].
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* Prof. Dr. [http://aha.missouri.edu/people/rautman.html Marcus Louis Rautman]. "Time." In: '''[http://books.google.ca/books?id=hs3iEyVRHKsC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_navlinks_s Daily Life in the Byzantine Empire]'''. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2006.  
 
* Prof. Dr. [http://aha.missouri.edu/people/rautman.html Marcus Louis Rautman]. "Time." In: '''[http://books.google.ca/books?id=hs3iEyVRHKsC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_navlinks_s Daily Life in the Byzantine Empire]'''. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2006.  
 
* [[w:Nychthemeron|Nychthemeron]] at Wikipedia.
 
* [[w:Nychthemeron|Nychthemeron]] at Wikipedia.
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[[Category:Church History]]

Latest revision as of 17:55, September 3, 2009

Nychthemeron or nuchthemeron, (Greek: Νυχθημερόν ; nykt-"night", hemera-"day") is a full calendar day of twenty-four consecutive hours, night and day. The term is found in the New Testament, in 2 Corinthians 11:25.

History

Following Roman custom, the Byzantines began their calendrical day (nychthemeron) at midnight with the first hour of day (hemera) coming at dawn. The third hour marked midmorning, the sixth hour noon, and the ninth hour midafternoon. Evening (hespera) began at the 11th hour, and with sunset came the first hour of night (apodeipnon). The interval between sunset and sunrise (nyx) was similarly divided into 12 hours as well as the traditional "watches" (vigiliae) of Roman times.[1]

The period of time known as the nychthemeron thus defined the Daily Cycle of divine services of prayer and worship that punctuates each liturgical day in the life of the Orthodox Church.

See also

External Links

  • Nyx (Interval between sunset and sunrise)
  • Vigils. (Vigiliae)

References

  1. Prof. Dr. Marcus Louis Rautman. "Time." In: Daily Life in the Byzantine Empire. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2006. p.3.

Sources