Liturgy of the Hours

The Daily Services in the Armenian Apostolic Church comprise nine services. The daily cycle of prayer begins with the Night Service, according to the ancient belief that a new day begins at nightfall.

The Night Service is dedicated to praising God the Father. The themes of the service are: thanksgiving to God for the blessing of sleep and asking that the remainder of the night passes in peace and tranquility and that the next day be spent in purity and righteousness.

The Morning Service is dedicated to praising God the Son. Symbolizes the Resurrection of Christ and his appearance to the Myrrh-bearing Women.

The Sunrise Service  (6:00 a.m.) is dedicated to praising the Holy Spirit. Symbolizes the appearance of Christ to the disciples after the Resurrection.

The Third Hour (9:00 a.m.) Dedicated to the Holy Spirit. Symbolizes Eve’s original tasting of the forbidden fruit and eventual liberation from condemnation through Jesus Christ. The service has a profound penitential meaning.

The Sixth Hour (noon) is dedicated to God the Father. Symbolizes Christ’s Crucifixion. The prayers at the service ask for God’s help towards feeble human nature.

The Ninth Hour (3:00 p.m.) Dedicated to God the Son. Symbolizes Christ’s death and liberation of humanity from the power of Hell.

The Evening Service (before sunset) is dedicated to God the Son. Symbolizes Christ’s burial and asks God for a quiet night and a peaceful sleep.

The Peace Service (after sunset) is dedicated to the Holy Spirit. Symbolizes Christ’s descent into Hell and liberation of the righteous from torments.

The Rest Service (before retiring for sleep) is dedicated to God the Father. In early times it was the continuation of the Peace Service.

In ancient times all nine services were offered daily, especially in monasteries. At present, the following services are conducted in churches daily for the majority of the year:
•    In the morning: Night and Morning Services together
•    In the evening: Evening Service

During Great Lent, all of the services are offered on weekdays (except Saturday and Sunday) according to the following schedule:
•    In the morning: Night, Morning, and Sunrise Services
•    In the afternoon: Third, Sixth, and Ninth Hours
•    In the evening:
o    Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday: Peace Service
o    Wednesday, Friday: Rest Service
o    Saturday, Sunday: Evening Service

The book containing the hymns that constitute the substance of the musical system of Armenian liturgical chant is the Sharagnots, a collection of hymns known as Sharakan. Originally, these hymns were Psalms and biblical Canticles chanted during the services, similar to the Byzantine Canon. In addition, the eight modes are applied to the psalms of the Night Office, called ganonaklookh (Canon head).  The Armenian Church published the Liturgy of Hours in a special book called Zhamagirk.