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Dear Friends,

Here is an excellent Ethiopian website:

www.ethiopianorthodox.org [ethiopianorthodox.org]

And this Friday (January 18th) is Christmas Day for the Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate and community of Jerusalem.

Alex

Dear Oriental Orthodox Friends,

Could you describe the use of prayer beads in your traditions?

Thank you!

Alex

Michael Thoma is generally right, and I believe the Nineveh Fast has been discussed here in the past. It should be noted that this is probably the strictest fast in our calendar: the tradition is to not eat or drink anything until the Ninth Hour on Wednesday, after which the fast is ended with a Liturgy (the Lenten melodies are sung). Abstinence still prevails until Thursday morning, when another Liturgy is celebrated (normal offices and melodies are resumed). Also, the days' offices follow the Lenten patterns and are sung in the Lenten melodies; with the exception of Wednesday's afternoon Liturgy, the days are aliturgical.

One characteristic of the Lenten services is the forty prostrations made in the afternoon (some books say at the end of the Sixth Hour, and others at the end of the Ninth Hour). Generally something like forty plus prostrations are made during the normal course of the daily offices, but they are scattered throughout the day--this set of forty is done all at once to the singing of Kyrie eleison in four sets of ten (the basic wording changes in each). If you're not in shape, it can hurt. Starting from Thursday until the beginning of Great Lent, all days are fast-free (including Wednesdays and Fridays).

So, Mor Ephrem, the Nineveh fast requires no eating or drinking for three days??? Or just no meat, fish, or dairy for three days?

Alexis

Dear Catholicos Mor Ephrem,

(You are now a Deacon? Congralations! But remember - here you have the title of "Catholicos" - don't believe my internet consecration of you some years back has worn out just yet . . . ).

Does your tradition use prayer beads?

Alex

Wow! This thread has certainly grown since I was last here! Deacon Mor Ephrem and Michael Thoma, thank you for your contributions. They are very informative, and I am especially interested in the icon traditions of the Syriac church.

I attended a Maronite Divine Liturgy Tuesday night...it was beautiful, and my first experience of a Syriac-style liturgy. I definately hope to go again.

God bless and keep you....

P.S. This past week I was on pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. I prayed for all the Byzcath members and their intentions there.

Dear Thomas,

Your tradition uses prayer beads, no Doubt?

Alex

Dear Alex,

If your question was directed towards me, the answer is yes. I am Latin Rite Catholic, and most everyone seems to know what prayer beads we use. I hope to purchase a chotki soon, and use that as well.

God bless and keep you....

Dear Alex,

Yes, I was ordained 14 March 2007. I think I tried to add my photo to my profile so that it would be visible next to my posts, but I think that attempt failed.

Prayer beads are used by very few people. Since the Office is still "required praying" for everyone, use of prayer beads for something like the Jesus Prayer is considered to be an extra, and usually only monastics take advantage of it. But through the influence of our contacts with the Eastern Orthodox, and the phenomenon of our people not praying the Office except perhaps in church on the weekends, their use is becoming more popular among our people.

Dear Alexis,

The tradition is to not eat or drink anything for three days. Typically, however, "most" people simply abstain from animal products and fast until sunset or at least the ninth hour, after which they may eat.

Can you point me to a web page where it might explain the theology of the 'person' of Christ?

There is a slight difference from the Latin theology and Orthodox theology .. yes?

-ray

Dear DT,

Oh! Somehow I thought you were of the Oriental Churches!

FYI, when I attended an Armenian Church during the summer, every car in the parking lot (believe me, I walked past every one!) had your rosary beads on the rear-view mirror.

Cheers,

Alex

Congratulations to the Rev. Fr. Deacon Mor Ephrem!

Many Years!

Alex

Ah! My fascination with the Armenian Church must be showing through quite strongly for you to think I was of the Oriental Churches.

The Armenian Church you attended, with all the rosaries in the cars, was it Catholic or Orthodox (Armenian Apostolic)?

God bless and keep you....

Dear Dr. Alex,

I don't know if the Rosary in the window means that they are used for prayer for just as decoration.. I know Protestants who keep a rosary in the car but loathe the thought of praying one.. ironic, yes.