Vespers Question . . .

[Light of the East]

Okay, this is an odd question. I just received a copy of the Orthodox Prayer Book from St. Tikhon's. I notice that while there is Short Compline and a variety of other prayers, including popular Akathist prayers, there is no Vespers.

Does anyone know why that might be? Is Vespers only to be prayed in the community of believers? I just find this a bit odd, especially when the Byzantine Catholic church had a Vespers Prayer book.

 

[ArmyMatt]

if it’s the new St Tikhon’s prayer book, it’s probably because Vespers is in the Heiratikon Vol 1

 

[Andrei D]

Not sure if prayer books are supposed to have all the services you could read. I don't know the English books, but in Romanian a "prayer book" will only have selections of prayers / services for different times of day and for special occasions. The book that most people have and it has all the daily praises (?translation) along with other expanded morning/mealtime/evening prayers is called Ceaslov / Ceasoslov which I think translates as Horologion. Is there a "Horologion" available in US?

 

[Light of the East]

if it’s the new St Tikhon’s prayer book, it’s probably because Vespers is in the Heiratikon Vol 1

Thank you. Found it online.

Question, Father. Is there anything wrong with me praying Vespers at home, other than the fact that there is no priest present to pray the priestly parts?

 

[ArmyMatt]

Thank you. Found it online.

Question, Father. Is there anything wrong with me praying Vespers at home, other than the fact that there is no priest present to pray the priestly parts?

ask your priest. usually just don’t pray the priest parts, but they are good to read.

but again, ask your priest.

 

[Andrei D]

ask your priest. usually just don’t pray the priest parts, but they are good to read.

but again, ask your priest.

Excuse my ignorance, are there prayers the priest says quietly for Vespers like in the Liturgy? Our "Horologion" doesn't have them (just has the blessings and indicates in red "if no priest is present, then say "For the prayers of your Most Pure Mother...")

 

[ArmyMatt]

Excuse my ignorance, are there prayers the priest says quietly for Vespers like in the Liturgy? Our "Horologion" doesn't have them (just has the blessings and indicates in red "if no priest is present, then say "For the prayers of your Most Pure Mother...")

yes, there are. most are at the very beginning.