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Home , Canon (hymnography), Great Lent, Kathisma

Psalm-reading in Orthodox Churches and

The Psalterion is arranged according to the Byzantine liturgical reading schedules of and Odes. These schedules are still performed in Orthodox Churches and monasteries and follow instructions. The divisions of the readings are indicated (the Kathismata) in the margins, for instance in codex Leimonos 65, but not their liturgical usage and schedules. In present-day Typikon editions is made clear (ch. 17) how the daily psalm-reading should be practiced (the of psalmody). In printed editions these Typikon schedules are foremost included.

Order of Readings (based on The Typicon, Chapter 17)

Outside of Great Outside the kathismata are appointed to be read according to the cycle of 7 days, starting (Kathisma I) at Evening, observed as the beginning of the week. Kathismata are recited on a daily basis in (2 Kathismata) and Hesperinos (1 Kathisma per day, Sunday not):

Day Orthros Su II, III - M IV, V VI Tu VII, VIII IX W X, XI XII Th XIII, XIV XV F XIX, XX XVIII Sa XVI, XVII I

During Great Lent During the weekdays of Great Lent, kathisma readings are added to the services of the Hours so that the entire is read through twice each week. The cycle of appointed kathismata readings for Great Lent are as follows. In the Orthros of Wednesday the second round of Psalm readings commences from the beginning (Psalm 1):

Day Orthros First Hour Third Hour Sixth Hour Ninth Hour Vespers Su II, III - - - - - M IV, V, VI - VII VIII IX XVIII Tu X, XI, XII XIII XIV XV XVI XVIII W XIX, XX, I II III IV V XVIII Th VI, VII, VIII IX X XI XII XVIII F XIII, XIV, XV - XIX XX - XVIII Sa XVI, XVII - - - - I During the Great and

During the Holy Week the psalm-readings are from Psalmsunday to Great Wednesday, Kathismata II-XX (Kathisma I is passed over), and Kathisma XVII on Great Saturday, the cycle of psalm reading reducing to one time in the Holy Week.

Day Orthros First Hour Third Hour Sixth Hour Ninth Hour Vespers Su II, III - M IV, V, VI VII VIII XVIII Tu IX, X, XI XII XIII XVIII W XIV, XV, XVI XIX XX XVIII Th F Sa XVII There are not psalm-readings from Great Thursday to Saturday of the , when it is resumed at the hesperinos.

Threefold subdivision of the 20 Kathismata

Every Kathisma (a larger psalmgroup) is subdivided into three staseis (indicated by Doxa). After each of the first staseis of a Kathisma the following is inserted (everybody raise up and stay, bowing and making crosses).

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. , alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Everybody sits down again to listen attentively to the continuous reading.

At the end of the Kathisma, the third doxa formulae is recited:

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, glory to Thee, O God. Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.