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Hi ya'll,

I was wondering what people think about the Divine Office that the Ukrainian Cath. Diocese of Stamford published a few years ago.

I did a search for past threads, but not much was written about the DO.

I would like to know what kind of English is used, i.e thou/you. How is the binding? Leather or faux? What are the measurements of the book? Is the book user-friendly?

I know its rather pricey.

Thanks,
Chris

Dear Chris,

Some of your questions are answered in the following three threads:

• Divine Office in English
• Available in English: The Divine Office
• Book of Prayer (Chasoslov)

If I recall correctly, the English is 'you', not 'thou'. At one time there was a choice of leather or faux - not sure what the situation is today. The book is roughly 17.5x12.4.5 cm (measurements of my Ukrainian version).

As to whether or not it is user friendly, that depends on the user. To do a complete* service one must make use of the many ribbons to mark propers (one for octoechos, another for minea, perhaps a third for triodion...). Also, prayers that are repeated (Doxology, certain Psalms) in many services usually appear in their entirety only once, so you can often find yourself having to flip back to find them mid-service (if you don't prepare carefully ahead of time). Also, I think the text is a bit too small for church use, although it's OK for private use.

The only benefits this book has over ones of similar price is size and the fact that it has propers. On the other hand, the 'creative liturgics' negate this. Personally, I think one would be better off purchasing the Jordanville or HTM "Horologion" and then printing off the propers you need from the Internet and/or building up your liturgical library. As has been said often on this Forum, it is physically impossible to have a useable all-in-one book - there is just too much material.

Σώσον, Κύριε, καί διαφύλαξον η�άς από τών Βασιλιάνικων τάξεων!

* "Complete" according to the Basilian recension. Some of the details can be found in the above links.

Thanks for your response. I'm going to check out the above links.

Just found out that the price of the leather version has been reduced to $50 + shipping.

I'm curious as to the "Basilian recension". I've only heard brief mensionings about the Basilians and liturgics, but nothing in depth.

Christopher

Christopher - I have it - and it does have it's uses - but frankly quality Control during the printing was somewhat deficient considering my first copy.

It has its uses as noted by Kobzar - I do use it at times - together with plenty of wee 'post-it-notes' attached - but when Mattins suggests that the Hexapsalmos is said just once during the week because only one or two psalms are said each day - then give me the OB Prayer Book for daily use.

Plese read the threads posted by Kobzar and then make up your own mind

Anhelyna

I've read the threads. Found them very informative. So now I know to expect some "creative liturgics".

What I'd like to know, is just how creative? I can understand the spreading out o the Six Psalms, but do they make other major changes that are NOT just for abbreviating the Office? Are things put in that don't belong there?

I already have a few Horologions, HTM and Jordanville among them. I really love HTM's Horologion. What I'm looking for is something smaller and easy to carry with you -- on the lines of the Liturgy of the Hours of the RCs. The abbreviating doesn't bother me, since I would be using it only when travelling or waiting in a doctor's office, or something like that. I like then fact that the DO of the Basilians has the Triodion, Menaion, etc.

Tell me, is the text printed in black with red rubrics or all black?

I appreciate everyone's input.

Chris

The rubrics are in red print. The pages are also edged in red ink (but on some volumes looks rather pink).

As for the 'creative liturgics', the only thing I've found which should not be in the book is Exposition and Benediction. Other problems (short version) are short cuts, omissions, and rearranging of texts.

Oυτις ημιν φιλει ου φροντιδα | Nemo Nos Diliget Non Curamus

OH - and it's not exactly pocket sized either - well not unless your pocket is re-inforced

I used to use the Roman Liturgy of the Hours - the 1 volume UK set - and the Stamford book does not fit the cover I had for that .

What really should be done is an English language edition of the 4-volume Greek Anthologion from Rome. All the necessary English texts now exist, so it will just be a matter of cutting and pasting. Anyone interested?

Father Serge