16.
Give an
outline of when and how much of the Scripture is read in various Orthodox
services.
·
Epistle and Gospel readings
at each Liturgy. A special reading is assigned to each day of the year so that
in a year's time, the entire New Testament (save the Revelation of St. John) is
read.
·
The Lord's Prayer, which is
read at every service in the Orthodox Church.
·
The Psalter, which is read
in its entirety in the course of each week's Matins and Vespers, and twice a
week during Great Lent.
·
Old Testament lessons.
Usually three in number, they are given at Vespers on the eves of many feasts.
·
Gospel readings. These are
given on Sunday and feast day Matins, where they are the high point of
the services.
·
The prayer “Now lettest Thou
Thy servant depart” (Lk 2:29-32) and the Rejoice Mary are recited at all daily Vespers.
·
The prayer “My soul doth
magnify the Lord” (Lk 1:46-55) is usually sung at Matins.
·
Other biblical language is
found all through the Church's various services. It has been calculated that
the Liturgy contains ninety-eight quotations from the Old Testament and 114
from the New.
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