At the Aposticha, Choir

Prokeimenon.

A hymn that precedes or follows a verse, in Greek *stichos*, from the Psalms. At ‘Lord, I have cried’ at Vespers and ‘Let everything that has breath’ at Lauds the *stichera* follow the Psalm verses; at the *Aposticha* they precede them. ****

On Sundays and Feasts, the ‘Resurrection’ Theotokion of the Apolytikion is always sung in the Tone of the

**B** sings the Doxastikon. This means that on Saturday evening Choir **B** should start the Aposticha, since there are 4 stichera. On Weekdays there are only 3, and so Choir **A** starts the Aposticha. In this way each Choir sings one of the two Doxastika.

*.* Most series of hymns end with one to the Mother of God, the Theotokos, and so a *Theotokion* commonly follows the second part of the short doxology, ‘Both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen’*,* and is normally sung in the same Tone as the preceding Doxastikon*.* On Saturday evening, however, the *Theotokion* at the Entrance is always that of the Tone of the week, regardless of the Tone of the Doxastikon. It is also sung again at Vespers sung on the following Friday. In Russian usage this *Theotokion* is called the *Dogmatic*, whereas in Greek the latter name is used for the corresponding *Theotokion* at Small Vespers. ****

In some monasteries the ‘leading’ choir changes at Vespers each Saturday, the cycle beginning at the Matins of Pascha.

The rules governing the celebration and for combining the different elements of the service. The book containing these rules. ****

The Apolytikia are should be sung in the same way by the two Choirs.

**immediately preceding** Apolytikion. This means that on Saturday evening the Theotokion may not be the one in the Tone of the week.

In the monasteries of the Holy Mountain it is customary for the following dialogue to be added at the end of the Dismissal, before the final ‘Through the prayers…’:

Accept, Lord, the supplication of us sinners, and have mercy on us. ****

May your mercy, Lord, be upon us, as we have put our in hope. ****

Eternal your memory, blessed and ever remembered Founders. ****

Eternal your memory.

The series of hymns and alternating Psalm verses which are sung towards the end of Vespers and daily Matins. In Greek *stichos* means ‘verse’. ****

The ceremony of the Blessing of Loaves, or Breaking (Greek *klasis*) of Bread (Greek *artos*), that takes place before the *Apolytikion* at Vespers when there is a Vigil. In many parishes it is nowadays celebrated on important feasts even when there is no Vigil, at Vespers or Matins or even after the Liturgy. The ceremony for such occasions will be found in the bilingual edition of the Divine Liturgy published by the Archdiocese of Thyateira. ****

The monk whose task it is to see that the sin*g*ers sing the correct texts in the correct Tone. He also reads the verses of the Prokeimenon and similar texts ****

A hymn sung after the short doxology ‘Glory (Greek ‘doxa’) to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit’. It is normally sung to a slower and more elaborate melody than the preceding hymns. ****

Epitrachelion.

Worn round the neck, which is meaning of the Greek name, it is the Eastern equivalent of the Western *stole*, the chief difference being that it is always joined down the middle, normally with a series of ornamental studs. It is usually broader then the Western *stole.* It is the characteristic priestly vestment, worn only by bishops and priests. A priest should not celebrate any service unless he is wearing it. ****

A convenient word used to indicate those parts of the office which are traditionally read by the Superior, or Elder (Greek *Geron*, or *Geronta*)*.* If the Superior is not present they are read by the senior monk present. A visiting priest or important visitor is often asked to read them. ****

One of the twenty sections into which the Psalter is divided for liturgical purposes. The word is also used for the short hymns that are sung after the reading of each *Kathisma* at Matins. The word is a Greek word meaning a *seat*. Each *Kathisma* is divided into three *sections* (Greek *Staseis*)*.* ****

From the Greek word for ‘monthly’. The book containing the services for days of the Month. There are thus twelve volumes of the *Menaia*. For places without a full set of *Menaia* there exists in both Greek and Slavonic a volume containing general offices for each category of Saint called the *General Menaion.* The contents of the Greek and Slavonic *General Menaia* are not quite the same, the Slavonic containing more offices, and texts for a full Vigil for each category of Saint including the Lord and the Mother of God. ****

A low bow in which the right hand touches the ground. Slavonic *poklon.* Also used for a *prostration.* ****

The Deacon’s stole. It is worn on the left shoulder and sometimes taken across diagonally under the right arm and again over the left shoulder. It is also worn crossed on the back by readers and sub-deacons. ****

The Eastern equivalent of the Western *chasuble.* The rubrics direct that the priest is to *lower the phelonion*, that is to let it fall over his hands, at the moment of the Dismissal. This indicates that the work of the service is over, rather like rolling down one’s sleeves. Russian *phelonia* often have a row of buttons across the chest so that the front of the vestment can be raised or lowered. ****

A refrain from a Psalm, sung together with one or more verses from the Psalm, that normally precedes the Readings at Vespers, Matins and the Liturgy. Originally the whole Psalm was sung, hence the *Verse* is normally the first verse of the Psalm. It survives every day at Vespers, even when there are no readings. It is the equivalent of the Western *Gradual.* ****

A tunic-like vestment, resembling the Western *dalmatic*, when worn by servers, readers, sub-deacons and deacons. That of bishops and priests more closely resembles the *alb*, though it is not necessarily white. ****

Any hymn may be called a Troparion, but the word more commonly indicates the *Apolytikion* of the day or one of the stanzas of a Canon. Plural *Troparia.*