Page 96 - THE ARMENIAN CHURCH_Neat

Rich Spirituality 97

Church has begun integrating a limited use
of modern Armenian, which may enhance
the participation of the faithful in the liturgy.
Daily Services
The liturgy is composed of two main
parts: the liturgy of the Word and the liturgy
of the Eucharist. The liturgy of the Word
includes seven daily offices or hours (žamer-
gut‘iwn) and these are:
– Night Hours (gišerayin žam) addressed
to God the Father, performed before dawn.
– Morning Hours (ar˙awōtean žam) ad-
dressed to the Son, performed in the early
morning.
– Sunrise Hours (arewagali žam) ad-
dressed to the Holy Spirit, performed at
sunrise.
– Midday Hours (čašu žam) consists of
three parts: the first part is addressed to the
Holy Spirit, performed at 9.00; the second to
the Father, at 12.00; and the third to the Son,
at 15.00.
– Evening Hours or Vespers (erekoyean
žam) addressed to the Son, performed before
the sunset. For the Armenian Church, litur-
gically the day ends and the new day starts
with the Vespers service.
– Peace Hours (xałałakan žam) addressed
to the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, per-
formed after sunset.