Ep.40: Introduction to Vespers
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- Subtitles: ENGLISH, SPANISH, RUSSIAN, SERBIAN, BULGARIAN, GREEK, GERMAN, ROMANIAN and ITALIAN.
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Subscribe to our mailing list at www.srvassa.com! A weekly, 10-minute program on the Byzantine liturgical tradition, hosted by Dr. Sr. Vassa Larin of the University of Vienna, Austria.
Today we will be reflecting on one of the church services of the Byzantine tradition, the evening service called “Vespers“! I know, I know, - please hold your applause. I get excited just mentioning Vespers... The English word Vespers comes from the Greek word espera, meaning “evening.“
Now, some of you might not ever go to church for this evening service; some of you might not go to any Byzantine-rite evening service, while yet others of you might not go to any church at all. Nonetheless, I think you will find this topic interesting, even perhaps helpful, and I‘ll tell you why. Because, you see, zillions, a service like this, which is dedicated to a certain time of day - the evening - offers us topics for reflection in the evening - appropriate to any evening, if we are interested in thinking inspiring and faith-filled thoughts at the end of our day. Because in the evening, as we all know, we are often tired and perhaps burdened by everything that went on during our day, and we might find ourselves very far from any thou-ght of God or our faith - even if we started our morning many hours ago with prayer and a little bit of reading of Scripture. Now, in the evening, we might just want a drink and to relax in front of the television or in front of the computer. I am, by the way, aware that, regardless of what I tell you about vespers today, - that is precisely what most of us will continue to do in the evening. However, it is realistic for us to remind ourselves of the topics offered to us by Vespers, perhaps while we‘re driving home from work, or a few minutes before going to bed, or while walking home from school. We could think of certain topics that Vespers call to mind. Today we will just take a look at the main components of Byzantine Vespers, and its main themes. In future episodes we will reflect more deeply on separate parts of Vespers.
The service of Vespers belongs to the most ancient layer of Christian liturgical services, because originally, early Christians gathered in the morning and in the evening for common prayer. And it was only throughout the 4th c., zillions, with the rise of organized monasticism, that the additional services of the Hours began to be developed. Now, the first general theme of Vespers, from the earliest times, is: thanksgiving to God for our day and all His other gifts to us, beginning with the creation of the world. Vespers specifically thanks God for the creation of the world, because according to the Bible, it was in the evening that creation began, as it says in the book of Genesis: “And there was evening, and there was morning - the first day“ (Gen 1:5). And the second general theme of Vespers is: asking forgiveness for anything we did wrong this past day. (Those of you who never do anything wrong do not have to worry about this part.) The service of Vespers helps inspire our gratitude and repentance (which, as I‘ve mentioned many times, means “change of focus“) through its specific Psalms and Hymns. The Opening Psalm of Vespers is Ps. 103/104, “Bless the Lord, o my soul...,“ which praises God for His creation and Providence. This psalm expresses amazement at both the great and small things created by God, for example, “He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for the service of man“ (Ps 103/104: 14). You see, zillions, this Psalm reminds us to stop and be amazed at the little things in life, which we often take for granted. Of course, most of us lose our sense of amazement with simple things in life sometime soon after the age of 3 or 4... And nowadays our capacity for amazement is extra-numbed because of our overdose on constantly new information and stories, to which we subject ourselves while following the 24-hour news cycle on television and online... But let‘s move on to the next main component of vespers, which is a set of psalms (140, 141, 129 & 116), beginning with Psalm 140/141, “O Lord, I have cried to You, hear me, O Lord...“
"I'm going to stop hassling you about these matters" LOL, I almost spit out my beverage!~ May Our Great Lord continue to Bless You and Yours, Sister Vassa.
Thank you dear Sister, l am writing from Constantinople l learned a lot about Orthodox Church from you l also realized yet again importance and deeper meaning of reciting "Al Fatiha" several times at least in the early morning, noon, afternoon night and late night services we have as Muslims. Take care
Dear Sr. Vasa, Thank you for the information about Vespers. I love reciting Psalm 103 & chanting O Gladsome Light at Vespers. These always fill me with a sense of joy and wonder & I love to look at the Panagia as we chant, "and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice."
Hi Sister Vassa, Thank God that after about 4 years from your talk, today, i.e. on 8th October 2019, it has come to my attention during a search for Vespers! I am thankful to you for this enriching talk on Vespers. May the good God Bless You. Augustine Jose from India.
Thank you for this biblical insight on Vespers. As a covert to orthodoxy, this was very good information. I observed many Greeks do not attend. However, your enlightened talk has personally inspired me. Love your talks!!!
Thanks! I'm Catholic and the Eastern Rite is kind of far. There is a beautiful Orthodox Church nearby that I may attend for Vespers.
This vlog is all sorts of AWESOME!! Bravo to you!
The sunset brought a cozy feeling. I liked this sort of topic and am anticipating the second part. Thank you, Sr. Vassa.
Thank you sister Vassa, recently found your channel, you are great!!!
What a beautiful surprise! Coffee from Guatemala! I feel kind of proud... Thank you, Sister Vassa for all your teachings!
Dear Sister Vassa! This is sooooo good! Thank you so much!
Gosh this lady is hilarious and intelligent
I just found your you tube channel. This is great and I love your sense of humor.
Bless you and your ministry, Sister.
Thank you for your beautiful explanation Sr.Vassa
Nice to know about Psalm 140, because during the Great Fast season, this is also sung again in the form of the "Solemn Evening Hymn" which, if I'm not mistaken, takes these Psalms a step further in kneeling prayer for forgiveness.
We need more mugs!
You’re hilarious!
This is different.
Praise Jesus,
Hail Mary.
I love the Saturday night Vesper service because it prepares my heart for the Sunday Liturgical service. Can you recommend a good site for these Vesper services so I can perhaps download and print out. My mother tongue is English and I can follow along fairly good in the language that is spoken in the country where I live. Or, do you have a better suggestion for the above. Thank you and blessings.
Please do Matins!
+Theology With An English Accent Good idea! We'll consider that real soon.
Thank you very much for the great VDO. May I add Thai subtitle on this VDO? I cannot find 'add subtitle' button on the clip.
Yes, thank you! Please write to Zhenya, a member of our crew who manages the subtitles. Write to: coffeewithsistervassa@gmail.com and entitle your email, "Thai Subtitles." Thanks again.
Dear Sr. Vassa,
Thank you very much. I will write to Zhenya.
Hi! How can i make subtitles in potuguese for this video? I would like to contribute!