www.byzcath.org Forums Thread Like Summary - Sit or stand for the Hours

In the Byzantine tradition, is it customary to stand or sit while praying the Hours? Or is either acceptable?

Customary - stand, but both are acceptable. I assume that you are specifically referring to praying the Hours by yourself or in a small group? The Hours developed out of monastic practice so they were not traditionally prayed in the manner of the Roman Rite, alone with a book. In parish setting, the Hours would be celebrated on the eve of great feasts and Sundays and then also before Divine Liturgy. But it is certainly not uncommon, for some to pray at least some of the Hours of the Byzantine Rite at home, either in full or with abbreviations. Typically First Hour and small compline for example.

There are a few books that have adapted the hours to be prayed by clergy and laity alone or in small groups. The traditional posture is to stand even in these case or during your private prayer rule but this is not a hard and fast rule.

The Kathisma takes its name from "sitting". Thus it is most appropriate to be sitting during the reading of the Kathisma and the Hymns which accompany each.

The rubrics appearing in the AGES Initiatives Vespers booklets include these directions:

It is appropriate for the congregation to stand for the reading of the Introductory Psalm.

It is appropriate for the congregation to stand for the Entrance.

It is appropriate for the congregation to stand for the reading of prayer. (before "Vouchsafe, O Lord to keep us this evening....")

The rubrics appearing on the AGES Initiatives Orthros booklets include these directions:

It is appropriate for the congregation to stand for the reading of Gospel. (direction placed following the Prokemenon)

It is appropriate for the congregation to stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

It is appropriate for the congregation to stand for the singing of Ode ix.

It is appropriate for the congregation to stand for the Great Doxology.


In short: Sit for Paalms† and other non-Gospel Scripture. Stand for prayers.

†Other than the opening Psalm at Vespers & Psalm 50/1 after the Orthros Gospel