www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology What books do I need to do the Hours?

Here's my dilemma: back in the old days I used to pray the Roman Liturgy of the Hours, and I miss the regular cycle of prayer. I am attempting to duplicate it in accord with my new home in the Byzantine Church (10 years this year, unofficially, 3 years officially). I have just gotten the Melkite Horologion, which I think will do for the framework of the various hours. I have the de Vinck Septuagint Psalms for the Kathisma, when I choose to do those.

Which other books do I need? Is there a convenient one-stop source? I would like to do the odes and daily troparia/kontakia. Currently I am borrowing the Lenten Triodion of the Basilian Sisters from my parish, which does the job for Lent. What do I need other than this? Is there a better version of the Triodion that contains all the odes--I don't like their translations too much, plus the paper and binding is poor?

Is there a FAQ on this? The Idiot's Guide to Praying the Byzantine Hours?

There is unfortunately not a one-stop shop for the Byzantine Divine Praises. You will need a Triodion for Great Lent, Pentecostarion for Paschal Matins through Sunday of All Saints, a Menaion for fixed-feast days, and the Octoechos for the usual cycle of eight tones for weekdays and Sundays. Sounds like you already have a Psalter, and you will obviously need a bible for Old Testament readings and Matins Gospels.

Archbishop Kallistos has an excellent Triodion and Menaion. The Basilian Sisters have printed a Menaion, Triodion, and Pentecostarion.

For the Oktoechos the most complete English translation is either Mother Mary (Greek usage) or St. John of Kronstadt Press (Slav usage and my preference).

The OCA Octoechos is now online at www.archdiocese.ca/OctoechosComplete.pdf [archdiocese.ca] You could print that out and have it spiral-bound. It does not contain all that is included in the SJKP, such as the Canons to the Trinity for Sunday morning Midnight Office, the Canons to the Theotokos for Small Compline, etc., but considering the price (free downloadable, 5$ or so at Kinkos to bind) it will certainly get you started on the daily Octoechos for Vespers and Matins.

For those with Old Rite tendencies, Erie has now produced the Sunday Octoechos in two volumes.

The Melkites have also produced several of these books, including both a spiral-bound Octoechos, monthly Menaion, Triodion and Pentecostarion (mostly Greek-style usage) which you can get from Sophia Press - and that go well with their newly-published Horologion.
FDD

Deacon Diak,

You forgot to mention "The Hours of Prayer; A Book of Devotion", $12.99 US from Light + Life Publishing...a bargain.

james

No doubt that is a great introductory text to praying the Hours - and I have recommended it to many (present company included ).

I think P-A is looking at something a bit more comprehensive in terms of the Vespers and Matins propers, as he already has the Melkite Horologion.

The "Hours of Prayer" only contains a "composite" service for Vespers and Matins - great if you are travelling or just starting, but if you are getting deeper into the Divine Praises it only scratches the surface.
FDD

Stop the presses - it seems that the Old Rite Church of the Nativity, Erie, Pennsylvania, has at last printed the Horologion in English translation. Their books are usually well done, so this should be worth having.

Incognitus

I've already ordered mine:
https://securehost7.hrwebservices.net/~cotn//shopping/product_info.php?products_id=163&osCsid=3866cfa68673aa38ac50c5df3d92dc47