Topic: Oriental Orthodox Liturgical texts

[falafel333]

I was wondering where I might be able to find online copies of OO prayer books, ie the prayers of the canonical hours. Those used by the Syrians, Armenians, Ethiopians, Indians and Assyrians. Here's a link to the Coptic prayer book of the hours:

www.copticchurch.org/Texts/Spirituals/Agpia.pdf

[Didymus]

Would also like to know this please.

[Orthodox11]

Syriac Hours

[Mor Ephrem]

It should be noted that the above "Syriac Hours" is one abbreviated version of the daily prayers for use by laypeople who haven't the time for the full office.  The latter is not available online (to the best of my knowledge) because of its length. 

[Salpy]

I'm not aware of anything on line with the canonical hours for the Armenian Church.  The only thing in English I am aware of is the Book of Hours listed here, that has Matins, Prime and Vespers (toward the bottom of the page:)

http://www.stvartanbookstore.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=402

[Ian Lazarus]

Any Liturgy books you would recommend for Syriac (aramaic?)/ Armenian/ and Coptic liturgies, perhaps with the English written alongside the native language or in English alone?

[Salpy]

The page I linked to above has a good Armenian-English liturgy book (the red one.) 

Here is the Armenian liturgy on line:

http://www.cilicia.com/armo_badarak08.html

It actually starts off with part of the Matins service, which normally is recited before the liturgy begins.

[Ian Lazarus]

That's interesting. It seems like a mix between the liturgy of St. John Chrysostom and St. Gregory.

[Gabriel]

Agpeya with .mp3 files

[Amdetsion]

Assyrians.

Assyrians?

This community is NOT Oriental Orthodox.

[deusveritasest]

It should be noted that the above "Syriac Hours" is one abbreviated version of the daily prayers for use by laypeople who haven't the time for the full office.

Oh. That makes sense. They did seem a little short.

[deusveritasest]

Assyrians.

Assyrians?

This community is NOT Oriental Orthodox.

Well, if we're speaking of the Assyrian Church of the East, that is the case. For whatever reason, however, it appears that this is generally the area that the ACE is discussed.

On the other hand, some people use the word "Assyrian" to refer to the ethnic group, in which context those of the Syriac Orthodox Church generally are Assyrians.

[Gebre Menfes Kidus]

Perhaps you might find something here:

http://eotcbooks.com/index.html

Selam

[EkhristosAnesti]

As far as standard prayers said on a regular basis, the Ethiopian Orthodox highly regard the Marian hymns of St Ephrem the Syrian and have a tradition of assigning various of these hymns to various days of the week. They are somewhat analogous to the Coptic weekday Vigil Theotokias. They are called Wudasse Maryam (trans., 'prayers of praise to Mary') and can be downloaded in English translation at the following link: http://tewahedo.org/WedaseMariam.pdf

[Gebre Menfes Kidus]

As far as standard prayers said on a regular basis, the Ethiopian Orthodox highly regard the Marian hymns of St Ephrem the Syrian and have a tradition of assigning various of these hymns to various days of the week. They are somewhat analogous to the Coptic weekday Vigil Theotokias. They are called Wudasse Maryam (trans., 'prayers of praise to Mary') and can be downloaded in English translation at the following link: http://tewahedo.org/WedaseMariam.pdf

Yes! The Wudasse Mariyam is a beautiful prayer book for each day of the week. It contains some glorious scriptual typology of Our Lady. Thanks for mentioning this Ekhristos!

Selam

[deusveritasest]

The British Orthodox Church produces their own prayer book:

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/glory-to-god---british-orthodox-prayers/1323714

but I doubt it's all that different from the Agpeya.

[vasnTearn]

All nine hours of the daily offices of the Armenian Church, in their much earlier and shorter variants, according to ancient manuscripts, can be found here, from p. 443 (translated by Conybeare)-

http://books.google.com/books?id=TW1hvJAOUiEC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Rituale+Armenorum#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Unfortunately, there is no option for downloading .

[Schultz]

As far as standard prayers said on a regular basis, the Ethiopian Orthodox highly regard the Marian hymns of St Ephrem the Syrian and have a tradition of assigning various of these hymns to various days of the week. They are somewhat analogous to the Coptic weekday Vigil Theotokias. They are called Wudasse Maryam (trans., 'prayers of praise to Mary') and can be downloaded in English translation at the following link: http://tewahedo.org/WedaseMariam.pdf

As a quick aside, what is the language difference in the first two columns in the Amharic script?

[Elias]

As a quick aside, what is the language difference in the first two columns in the Amharic script?

The language on the left is Ge'ez . Next to it is the Amharic translation followed by the English. There is no script known as Amharic, but it is a language that grew out of Ge'ez. The script is Ge'ez.

[Nazarene]

Kidus Markos Ethiopian Orthodox Prayer Book:

http://kidusmarkos.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14&Itemid=87&showall=1

[alexp4uni]

It should be noted that the above "Syriac Hours" is one abbreviated version of the daily prayers for use by laypeople who haven't the time for the full office.  The latter is not available online (to the best of my knowledge) because of its length. 

Are you still an Admin Mor? Can I put the texts on PDF format and transfer it to this site?

[alexp4uni]

I take this back I think you were referring to the Malayalam Texts translated to Malankara Prayer books in English is about the same texts.

[samkim]

Syriac prayerbooks in english?

[Nazarene]

I'm not aware of anything on line with the canonical hours for the Armenian Church.  The only thing in English I am aware of is the Book of Hours listed here, that has Matins, Prime and Vespers (toward the bottom of the page:)

http://www.stvartanbookstore.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=402

I think I may have found the Armenian Hours but it's in Armenian:

http://www.arak29.am/breviary/index.php

and:

http://araratian-tem.am/media/JAMAGIRK.PDF

[dhinuus]

Syriac prayerbooks in english?

The following link has the Syriac Prayer book in English. In the Syriac Church there are 7 prayers for each day. The day starts with sun down. The following link has all the 7 prayers :  Evening, Bedtime, Midnight, Morning, Third Hour, Sixth Hour and Ninth Hour.

http://sor.cua.edu/Liturgy/SimplePrayer/index.html

The translation of the Divine Liturgy (Holy Qurbana) is at:
http://sor.cua.edu/Liturgy/Anaphora/index.html

Mathew G M

[ialmisry]

Btw, has anyone ever seen a Coptic Agpeya in Coptic? I've only seen English and Arabic.

[Andrew21091]

Syriac Orthodox prayer book of morning and evening prayers:
http://syrianorthodoxchurch.org/books/books/evening-and-morning-prayers/

Syriac Liturgy book in English, Syriac, and Arabic:
http://syrianorthodoxchurch.org/books/books/holy-qurbono-the-divine-liturgy-of-saint-jacob-bar-salibi/

Book of Common Prayer of the Syrian Orthodox Church:
http://www.gorgiaspress.com/bookshop/p-217-griffiths-bede-the-book-of-common-prayer-shhimo-of-the-syrian-church.aspx

East Syrian Daily Offices (rites used by Assyrian Church of the East):
http://www.gorgiaspress.com/bookshop/showproduct.aspx?ISBN=1-59333-060-X&1534-D83A_1933715A=befdb2b8ff677a7e47a7e6d56091079c90143412

[Jonathan]

Hello, a friend who does not have an account here asked me to post a request here:

He is looking to find Liturgical texts (in decent English) that are public domain in order to compile together as a reference to be able to learn the differences in practice and texts in order to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for our Communion in its various traditions.

For Coptic, we can easily find the Liturgy book, Psalmody, and all the rites like Baptism, marriage, lakkanne, etc. electronically and without copyright. If anyone can point us to texts for the other traditions it would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[sheenj]

For the West Syriac Rite, both Syriac Orthodox and Malankara Orthodox, this site has almost everything.
http://sor.cua.edu/Liturgy/Anaphora/index.html

[dzheremi]

Ethiopian liturgy

Armenian Orthodox liturgy

[Jonathan]

Thanks! That's great!

What about other services besides the Liturgy?

Is there an equivalent to the book of the hours? The Psalmody? the raising of incense?

[Suryoyutho]

Syriac Orthodox - The Spiritual Treasure of Canonical Prayer

[dzheremi]

In looking around, it appears that this topic has been covered before, complete with links, so perhaps reviewing the existing thread on OO prayer books would help. I thought this thread was meant to be limited to liturgical texts.

[mabsoota]

thanks for this thread!
sheenj, what does 'barekhmor' mean?
does it mean 'bless'? (just guessing from arabic)
and how do u say 'kirie eleison' in malyalam and syriac?
i found a work colleague who is indian syriac orthodox (not sure which branch) but i may get a chance to visit his church soon.

how can you tell which anaphora they are going to do? does it depend on the season or do i have to ask the priest in advance?
(so i can print out the right one)

he said he didn't think they had a translation of the liturgy available.
 

i told him he should sort that out!
 

[sheenj]

thanks for this thread!
sheenj, what does 'barekhmor' mean?
does it mean 'bless'? (just guessing from arabic)

Yup, Barekh mor means literally "Bless, Lord".

and how do u say 'kirie eleison' in malyalam and syriac?

Wee keep "Kyrie Elaison" but we say it really weird, like "Kuriay laah-yison"

how can you tell which anaphora they are going to do? does it depend on the season or do i have to ask the priest in advance?
(so i can print out the right one)

It's usually up to the priest, the only rule is that for feasts, he must use St. James. However, the responses by the laity to the various anaphoras (anaphorae?) are the same for each anaphora. So unless you want to follow along with the priest, you can print any anaphora.

he said he didn't think they had a translation of the liturgy available.
 

i told him he should sort that out!
 

Huh? Almost every Malankara church I've been to outside of India, either Antiochene or Indian, has had an english translation available for the 2nd and 3rd generation types who don't know Malayalam. I'm not sure what your friend is talking about.

[Salpy]

Armenian Church liturgy:

http://www.armeniapedia.org/wiki/Armenian_Church_Divine_Liturgy

[Suryoyutho]

kirie eleison in syriac would be "moran etraham".

[minasoliman]

This should be a sticky

[Ergib]

Eritrean
http://tewahdo.org/SpiritualFood/Liturgy_EOTC_USA-Canada.pdf

[sheenj]

This should be a sticky

Seconded.

[minasoliman]

In looking around, it appears that this topic has been covered before, complete with links, so perhaps reviewing the existing thread on OO prayer books would help. I thought this thread was meant to be limited to liturgical texts.

Perhaps the 2 threads should be merged and then made into a sticky

[sheenj]

Syriac Orthodox - The Spiritual Treasure of Canonical Prayer

Do you know someplace where we can find the full sh'himo with hymns? The link you just posted only has the abridged prayers for each hour.

[Salpy]

By popular demand, I've merged the two topics and made the new thread a sticky.

Good idea.   

[minasoliman]

By popular demand, I've merged the two topics and made the new thread a sticky.

Good idea.   

[Suryoyutho]

Syriac Orthodox - The Spiritual Treasure of Canonical Prayer

Do you know someplace where we can find the full sh'himo with hymns? The link you just posted only has the abridged prayers for each hour.

In can find it in Syriac only: http://www.soc-wus.org/worship/prayer.htm

[dhinuus]

Syriac Orthodox - The Spiritual Treasure of Canonical Prayer

Do you know someplace where we can find the full sh'himo with hymns? The link you just posted only has the abridged prayers for each hour.

In can find it in Syriac only: http://www.soc-wus.org/worship/prayer.htm

The English tanslation of the Sheema is available at
http://www.lulu.com/shop/dale-a-johnson/daily-prayers-from-the-language-of-jesus/paperback/product-1476571.html
The hymns are translated as prose though. They are not translated as hymns set to the original Syriac meter.

[sheenj]

Syriac Orthodox - The Spiritual Treasure of Canonical Prayer

Do you know someplace where we can find the full sh'himo with hymns? The link you just posted only has the abridged prayers for each hour.

In can find it in Syriac only: http://www.soc-wus.org/worship/prayer.htm

The English tanslation of the Sheema is available at
http://www.lulu.com/shop/dale-a-johnson/daily-prayers-from-the-language-of-jesus/paperback/product-1476571.html
The hymns are translated as prose though. They are not translated as hymns set to the original Syriac meter.

Thanks, but its just not the same as singing the hymns in their proper tones . I guess I'll stick to the abridged version I have right now.

[Suryoyutho]

Melthodhaye have just put up their first video of the Syriac Orthodox prayers.

Prayer of the Ninth Hour - Sunday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWJZVSUJHVE

[Cyrillic]

Is there an english translation of the coptic liturgy? I'd love to read it.

[Dominika]

Is there an english translation of the coptic liturgy? I'd love to read it.

http://www.copticchurch.net/topics/liturgy/index.html - Liturgy of St. Basil, Liturgy of St. Cyril, Liturgy of St. Gregory

[Cyrillic]

Is there an english translation of the coptic liturgy? I'd love to read it.

http://www.copticchurch.net/topics/liturgy/index.html - Liturgy of St. Basil, Liturgy of St. Cyril, Liturgy of St. Gregory

Thanks!

[Cyrillic]

I really like the 'confiteor' with a bit of the diptychs mixed in.

[Salpy]

I can't recall if this was linked here yet:

http://www.agpia.org/

It's the Coptic Agpia for mobile phones.

[CharalambisMakarios]

This is probably a long shot, but does anyone know where I could find an English translation of the phenqitho? From an initial Google search, it seems that it has fallen out of popular use, and thus has not been translated, but you never know. Even an abridged version would be nice. I'm planning to purchase Bede Griffiths' translation of the Sh'himo when I have the funds.

Pray for me, a sinner.

[Mor Ephrem]

This is probably a long shot, but does anyone know where I could find an English translation of the phenqitho?

LOL.  AFAIK, it doesn't exist.  The closest thing to it is a three volume adaptation published by the (Syro-Malankara Catholic) monastery "Kurishumala Ashram" in Kerala.  I say adaptation rather than translation because it is a version intended for use in that particular monastery and so it has its own quirks.  You can probably obtain it from them.   

From an initial Google search, it seems that it has fallen out of popular use, and thus has not been translated, but you never know. Even an abridged version would be nice.

I don't think it's fallen out of use per se, just that wherever it is used it is used in Syriac.  It more or less fell out of use in India during the transition to vernacular liturgy (if not before). 

I'm planning to purchase Bede Griffiths' translation of the Sh'himo when I have the funds.

SEERI publishes a book called Awsar Slawoto which is basically Griffiths' translation of the Sh'himo with the Syriac text on the facing page.  You might be able to order it from them and I imagine even with the international posting it may be more affordable than buying from Gorgias Press. 

[Deacon Lance]

You can get it on sale from now till 12/31/14 for $30.

[Mor Ephrem]

You can get it on sale from now till 12/31/14 for $30.

That's a steal! 

[CharalambisMakarios]

Where does one actually purchase it? I see it listed on the SEERI website (they seem like a really cool organization), but no link to actually order it.

[Mor Ephrem]

Where does one actually purchase it? I see it listed on the SEERI website (they seem like a really cool organization), but no link to actually order it.

Try writing them.  I'm sure they can help you if you send them an email.   

[CharalambisMakarios]

I emailed them awhile back and have heard no reply. Looking for other purchase options and not finding them.

[minagirgis1]

Btw, has anyone ever seen a Coptic Agpeya in Coptic? I've only seen English and Arabic.

I haven't seen a coptic agpeya book either BUT, each hours is composed of the psalms, a gospel, litanies and and absolution. There are also some other prayers like the trisagion, the intro to the Creed and the Creed, the Praise of the Angels, Hail to Mary, Graciously O Lord, and the into to the midnight prayer. The psalms and gospels can be found in coptic, most of the litanies can be found in old books specially during Holy Week and Pentecost, and the other prayers can be found in the liturgy and midnight praise. All we need to find are the absolutions.:-)

Is there an english translation of the coptic liturgy? I'd love to read it.

http://www.copticchurch.net/topics/liturgy/index.html - Liturgy of St. Basil, Liturgy of St. Cyril, Liturgy of St. Gregory

I recommend: http://tasbeha.org/hymn_library/cat/203

[CharalambisMakarios]

I managed to purchase the Awsar Slawot'o, and am waiting for it to arrive.

[Mor Ephrem]

I managed to purchase the Awsar Slawot'o, and am waiting for it to arrive.