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Spirituality of the Agpeya Prayer Book of the Seven Canonical Hours

Word Origin. Derived from the Coptic word TI-AGPLiterally means the HourTi agpeya means Prayer of the Hours. The Book. contains seven canonical prayersPsalms, Gospel readings, and prayers to be read at specific times during the day

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Spirituality of the Agpeya Prayer Book of the Seven Canonical Hours

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    1. Spirituality of the Agpeya Prayer Book of the Seven Canonical Hours St. Maurice & St. Verena Coptic Orthodox Church August 23rd, 2008

    2. Word Origin Derived from the Coptic word TI-AGP Literally means the Hour Ti agpeya means Prayer of the Hours

    3. The Book contains seven canonical prayers Psalms, Gospel readings, and prayers to be read at specific times during the day “Seven times a day I praise You because of Your righteous judgments.” (Psalms 119:164)

    4. History of the Agpeya First adopted by St. Mark the Apostle in the Alexandrine Church during the early days of Christianity in the Apostolic Age Was first seven canonical prayers The book is a direct descendant of the original canonical hours from the cenobite monasteries (Common life – St. Shenouda the Archmandrite) An angel appeared in the midst of the faithful and sang eleven psalms adding a personal prayer and then one additional psalm

    5. Why pray using the Agpeya? Shows us a complete model prayer Teaches us self-examination and involves God in our whole lives Exposes us to Biblical passages which assist us in our daily lives Influences our feelings and behaviour (H.H. Pope Shenouda III)

    6. Praying the Psalms Singing Psalms - 1 Chron 16:9; Ps 105:2 Speaking to one another – Eph 5:19 Teaching – Col 3:16 Cheerful – James 5:13 Psalms in Jewish traditions: Ritual, prayer, song, study, meditation, conversation.

    7. How to pray using the Agpeya? Could be the first book opened in the morning, it will direct your whole day Examine your heart and repent diligently Examine yourself before prayer as a form of spiritual preparation Quality more than quantity Repeat the psalms and apply them to yourself as if they were from your heart personally

    8. How to use the Agpeya? Understand and feel the power and truth of each word Kneel or bow your head reverently Assign specific times for prayer “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:6)

    9. The First Hour (Prime) – 6 am Prayed early in the morning Associated with the eternity of God and the coming of the true Light (Jesus Christ), His incarnation and resurrection Offering thanks for us raising from bed, asking for enlightenment and to be granted the power of the resurrection Ps 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 18, 24, 26, 62, 66, 69, 112, 142 Gospel: John.1:1-17 Litanies, The Gloria, The Trisagion, Intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God, The Creed, Holy Holy Holy, the 1st Absolution, 2nd Absolution, The Conclusion Prayer

    10. The Third Hour (Terce) – 9 am Commemorates three events Christ’s trial by Pontius Pilate His ascension into Heaven The descent of the Holy Spirit Pray to the Holy Spirit for the cleansing of your heart and renewal of your life Ps 19, 22, 23, 25, 28, 29, 33, 40, 42, 44, 45, 46 Gospel: John.14:26-15:4 Litanies, Holy Holy Holy, Absolution, Conclusion Prayer

    11. The Sixth Hour (Sext) – 12 noon commemorates the crucifixion and passion of Christ We pray through His life giving passion Reminder of His commandments Delivers our mind from our desires Makes us “the light of the world, and the salt of the earth” Ps 53, 56, 60, 62, 66, 69, 83, 84, 85, 86, 90, 92 Gospel: Matthew 5:1-16 Litanies, Holy Holy Holy, Absolution, Conclusion Prayer

    12. The Ninth Hour (None) – 3 pm Commemorates the redemptive death of Christ and his acceptance of the thief’s repentance Pray He mortifies our carnal lusts, includes us in His grace and accepts our repentance “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42) Ps 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 109, 110, 111, 112, 114, 115 Gospel: Luke 9:10-17 Litanies, Holy Holy Holy, Absolution, Conclusion Prayer

    13. The Eleventh Hour (Vespers) – 5 pm Associated with the act of taking Christ from the cross We give thanks for God’s protection and confess our sins that we may be counted as the labourers who were called at the eleventh hour of the day Ps 116, 117, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128 Gospel: Luke 4:38-41 Litanies, Holy Holy Holy, Absolution, The Conclusion Prayer

    14. The Twelfth Hour (Compline) – 6 pm Commemorates the burial of Christ Remember the passing world and final judgment Ask forgiveness for our sins all throughout the night Ps 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 136, 137, 140, 141, 145, 146, 147 Gospel: Luke 2:25-32 Litanies, The Trisagion, The Creed, Holy Holy Holy, Absolution, The Conclusion Prayer

    15. The Veil (For Monks & Nuns) After prayer of Twelfth Hour and before Midnight prayer Examines the heart Ps 4, 6, 12, 15, 24, 26, 66, 69, 22, 29, 42, 56, 85, 90, 96, 109, 114, 115, 120, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 136, 140, 145, 118 – Part 20-22 Gospel: John 6:15-23

    16. Midnight (The First Watch) Preparation for the Second Coming of Christ Jesus Offer prayer to Christ our King and our God and asks His forgiveness for our sins Ps 3, 6, 12, 69, 85, 90, 116, 117, 118 Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13 Litanies & Holy Holy Holy

    17. Midnight (The Second Watch) Asking our Lord for Repentance Offer prayer to Christ and again ask for His forgiveness Ps 119, 120,121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128 Gospel: Luke 7:36-50 Litanies & Holy Holy Holy

    18. Midnight (The Third Watch) Reminder to stay awake to pray and watch Offer prayer to Christ and once again ask his forgiveness Ps 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 136, 137, 140, 141, 145, 146, 147 Gospel: Luke 12:32-46, Luke 2:29-32 Litanies & Holy Holy Holy, The Creed, The Absolution, then the Conclusion Prayer

    19. The Priest’s Absolution Prayed by the Priests offering thanks to Christ and asks Him into their hearts Prayed for any of the congregation who requested a personal prayer Prayed for aid of the people and the Pope, consolation and blessing, fair judgment and forgiveness, cleansing, protection from death and the Devil, preservation of the church, remembrance of all those who do good, absolution from our evils, acceptance and the Lord’s mercy

    20. Various Prayers Prayer of Repentance Prayer Before Confession Prayer After Confession Prayer Before Holy Communion Prayer After Holy Communion Prayer Before Meals Prayer Before Making a Decision Prayer for God’s Accompaniment Glory to God forever

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