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Divine Office / Liturgy of the Hours

Psalms chanted at dawn, dusk and dead of night, sanctifying the whole turning day

The Divine Office, or Liturgy of the Hours, is the fixed daily cycle of prayer services, such as Matins, Vespers and Compline, that mark the hours with psalms, hymns and readings. Witnessed in early sources like the Apostolic Tradition, Egeria's account, and the Rule of St. Benedict, it is kept across Catholic, Orthodox and Oriental churches with differing structures. Anglican and Lutheran reforms reduced it to morning and evening prayer, while many Free churches set it aside.

How it traveled

  1. The Canons of the Councils of Ancyra, Gangra, Neocæsarea, Antioch and Laodicea, which Canons were Accepted and Received by the Ecumenical Synods
    · 360
    explains
  2. The Letters of St. Jerome
    Bethlehem · 420
    applies
  3. Letters of St. Augustin
    Hippo Regius · 430
    applies
  4. The Twelve Books on the Institutes of the Cœnobia, and the Remedies for the Eight Principal Faults
    Marseille · 435
    explains
  5. The Canons of the Council in Trullo; Often Called The Quinisext Council
    Constantinople (Istanbul) · 692
    explains

Key passages(20)

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The Canons of the Council in Trullo; Often Called The Quinisext Council · The Ecumenical Councils

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The Canons of the Council in Trullo; Often Called The Quinisext Council · The Ecumenical Councils

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Book II. Of Bishops, Presbyters, and Deacons · Constitutions of the Holy Apostles

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The Twelve Books on the Institutes of the Cœnobia, and the Remedies for the Eight Principal Faults · John Cassian

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Select Orations of Saint Gregory Nazianzen · Gregory of Nazianzus

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