Vespers (εσπερινός) is first service of the Daily Cycle of
divine services celebrated in the Orthodox Church. Because the
liturgical day begins at sunset, Vespers is traditionally served
in the early evening. For many parishes, Vespers is the
principal evening service. |Services of the Orthodox Church|
|Vespers | Compline | Midnight Office | Matins| |First, Third,
Sixth, and Ninth Hour Services| |Akathist Hymn | Paraklesis|
|Great Blessing of Water | Artoklasia| |Ordination Service |
Marriage Service| |Funeral Service | Memorial Service| General
Structure of Great Vespers - Immediately before Great Vespers,
the Ninth Hour is read, as it is found in the Horologion, with
the Apolytikia and Kontakia of the day read in their proper
place. Ninth Hour's duration is 10 to 15 minutes. - Great
Vespers opens with the Priest's exclamation Blessed is our God
... - The Reader reads "Come let us worship..." and the Proemial
Psalm 103 Bless the Lord, O my soul ... is read, during which
the priest quietly prays the seven pra