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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center

Vespers

Vespers is the first prayer of the day. The first prayer of the day is the evening prayer. The reason is that the Church worship day begins in the evening with the setting of the sun or at sunset. This pratice follows the tradition of the Old Testament which says in the story of creation: “And the evening and the morning were the first day. . .” (Gen1:5).

Vespers consists of psalms hymns, biblical canticles and litanies. The hymn “Gladsome Light” is sung.

Vespers is celebrated at sunset every evenings from Sunday to Friday.
The exception to this rule is when an important feast is the next day. Then, Great Vespers is celebrated.

Vespers is simpler than Great Vespers.

Theme

The theme is the creation of the world.

Time

The proper time is sunset. The traditional time is 7 p.m. The modern time is between 6 p.m.-9 p.m.

Name

The name "Vespers" means “Evening Time”.

Great Vespers

When Vespers is not celebrated, Great Vespers is celebrated.

Liturgical Text

Continuation of Verpers during Great Lent Saint Ignatios of Antioch Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Augusta, Georgia, Click on The Knew and Sometimes Unusual, Eastern-rite Services

English Vespers The Melkite Eparchy of Australia and New Zealand, a Microsoft Word .doc file

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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center is dedicated to my cousins: Bucky (Richard C. Liles), Shirley (Shirley Jean Liles Buck), and Donna (Donna Bertha Liles Campbell). Bucky fell asleep in the Lord on Dec. 12, 2000, Shirley fell asleep in the Lord on Nov. 8, 2001, and Donna fell asleep in the Lord on March 9, 2020.
O God of all spirits and of all flesh, who have destroyed death, overcome the devil, and given life to the world: grant, O Lord, to the souls of your servants Bucky and Shirley, who has departed from this life, that it may rest in a place of light, in a place of happiness, in a place of peace, where there is no pain, no grief, no sighing. And since You are a gracious God and the Lover of Mankind, forgive him/her every sin he/she has committed by thought, or word, or deed, for there is not a man who lives and does not sin : You alone are without sin, your righteousness is everlasting, and your word is true. You are the Resurrection and the Life, and the repose of your departed servants Bucky and Shirley. O Christ our God, and we send up glory to You, together with your eternal Father and your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and always and for ages upon ages. Amen.

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Last Updated: Wednesday, June 03, 2020, 16:45:53, CDT
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