Kneeling Prayers

[falafel333]

Christ is Risen, Truly He is Risen

Dear all, I was just wondering if anyone would be able to shed some light on the kneeling prayers that are prayed on the Feast of Pentecost.

Are they referred to as kneeling prayers because the entire service is conducted while kneeling or because there are special kneeling prayers that are recited throughout this service or for any other reason.

Thanks

[Fr. George]

Christ is Risen, Truly He is Risen

Dear all, I was just wondering if anyone would be able to shed some light on the kneeling prayers that are prayed on the Feast of Pentecost.

Are they referred to as kneeling prayers because the entire service is conducted while kneeling or because there are special kneeling prayers that are recited throughout this service or for any other reason.

Thanks

They are called kneeling prayers because we are directed to kneel when these prayers are said.  The priest or deacon will introduce them with "again and again on bended knee let us pray to the Lord."  The whole service is not a kneeling service per se, as it is a Vespers service with these prayers; however, it is frequently called "kneeling Vespers," simply because it is a Vespers service which also includes these "kneeling prayers."

Make sense?

[Alveus Lacuna]

Pentecost prostrations are not supposed to be done until the Vespers that evening, which marks the beginning of Monday according to the liturgical day.  But since the presbyter knows that it is highly unlikely that anyone will come if he holds a service that evening, they usually do it immediately following Liturgy so that everyone does not miss out.  So it is against the rules, but no one seems to care that much.

[stashko]

Isn't the Kneeling Done around The beginning of lent .The cannon of St ,Andrew....

[Orthodox11]

Pentecost prostrations are not supposed to be done until the Vespers that evening, which marks the beginning of Monday according to the liturgical day.

Which makes Pentecost the shortest day in the Liturgical year

[Fr. George]

Isn't the Kneeling Done around The beginning of lent .The cannon of St ,Andrew....

Many people will kneel during the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete (in fact, kneeling is quite encouraged at all services during weekdays of Great Lent); but the OP was asking about the Kneeling Prayers that are read at the Vespers after Pentecost.

[Fr. George]

Pentecost prostrations are not supposed to be done until the Vespers that evening, which marks the beginning of Monday according to the liturgical day.  But since the presbyter knows that it is highly unlikely that anyone will come if he holds a service that evening, they usually do it immediately following Liturgy so that everyone does not miss out.  So it is against the rules, but no one seems to care that much.

There are many churches that do not do the service immediately following Liturgy.  But I'd say that the practice of doing so isn't more "against the rules" than, say, doing a Vesperal Liturgy (of Basil or Gregory) in the morning (as is done Holy Monday through Holy Thursday and Holy Saturday).

[Schultz]

Pentecost prostrations are not supposed to be done until the Vespers that evening, which marks the beginning of Monday according to the liturgical day.  But since the presbyter knows that it is highly unlikely that anyone will come if he holds a service that evening, they usually do it immediately following Liturgy so that everyone does not miss out.  So it is against the rules, but no one seems to care that much.

There are many churches that do not do the service immediately following Liturgy.  But I'd say that the practice of doing so isn't more "against the rules" than, say, doing a Vesperal Liturgy (of Basil or Gregory) in the morning (as is done Holy Monday through Holy Thursday and Holy Saturday).

If the history of other "special" Sunday vespers services is a guide in my parish, we'll adjourn for coffee hour and breakfast after liturgy (around 11:00am) and around 12:30 those of us who haven't left will head back into church for (an early) vespers. 

[Fr. George]

Pentecost prostrations are not supposed to be done until the Vespers that evening, which marks the beginning of Monday according to the liturgical day.  But since the presbyter knows that it is highly unlikely that anyone will come if he holds a service that evening, they usually do it immediately following Liturgy so that everyone does not miss out.  So it is against the rules, but no one seems to care that much.

There are many churches that do not do the service immediately following Liturgy.  But I'd say that the practice of doing so isn't more "against the rules" than, say, doing a Vesperal Liturgy (of Basil or Gregory) in the morning (as is done Holy Monday through Holy Thursday and Holy Saturday).

If the history of other "special" Sunday vespers services is a guide in my parish, we'll adjourn for coffee hour and breakfast after liturgy (around 11:00am) and around 12:30 those of us who haven't left will head back into church for (an early) vespers.  

Sounds like a pretty good timeline; and gives an opportunity for people to get a bit of a rest before extending their Sunday Church experience (TM).

[Father H]

Pentecost prostrations are not supposed to be done until the Vespers that evening, which marks the beginning of Monday according to the liturgical day.  But since the presbyter knows that it is highly unlikely that anyone will come if he holds a service that evening, they usually do it immediately following Liturgy so that everyone does not miss out.  So it is against the rules, but no one seems to care that much.

There are many churches that do not do the service immediately following Liturgy.  But I'd say that the practice of doing so isn't more "against the rules" than, say, doing a Vesperal Liturgy (of Basil or Gregory) in the morning (as is done Holy Monday through Holy Thursday and Holy Saturday).

Good point!  It is interesting, in Bulgakov we see the practice in Russian and Ukraine of having Liturgy not served at its ordinary time, 9am, but moved later on Sunday so that the kneeling vespers could take place in the afternoon.  Of course, doing this means that you sacrifice doing Liturgy at the time of the descent of the Holy Spirit--the 3rd hour of the day (9am).  It also means that you make a feast day into a fast day.  Is better, perhaps, to start Monday of Holy Spirit early than to make Pentecost into a fast day.   

[Father H]

Pentecost prostrations are not supposed to be done until the Vespers that evening, which marks the beginning of Monday according to the liturgical day.  But since the presbyter knows that it is highly unlikely that anyone will come if he holds a service that evening, they usually do it immediately following Liturgy so that everyone does not miss out.  So it is against the rules, but no one seems to care that much.

There are many churches that do not do the service immediately following Liturgy.  But I'd say that the practice of doing so isn't more "against the rules" than, say, doing a Vesperal Liturgy (of Basil or Gregory) in the morning (as is done Holy Monday through Holy Thursday and Holy Saturday).

If the history of other "special" Sunday vespers services is a guide in my parish, we'll adjourn for coffee hour and breakfast after liturgy (around 11:00am) and around 12:30 those of us who haven't left will head back into church for (an early) vespers.  

Sounds like a pretty good timeline; and gives an opportunity for people to get a bit of a rest before extending their Sunday Church experience (TM).

I agree

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