How often to attend church.

[query]

Does anyone know the origin of multiple chruch services on Sunday? Wednesday? Biblical orgin?

query

[One Bad Pig]

A more pertinent question would be, "Why so few services in a week?"

Monasteries will have multiple services daily. I'm not certain, but I think all Catholic and Orthodox churches celebrate the Eucharist daily.

[JardinPrayer]

I remember the expression, "Every day and twice on Sunday," from my youth. It was not necessarily used to refer to church, but that is clearly where it has its origins.

I'm with OBP...if we had a society that gathered in prayer and worship daily, we would be all the better for it. As it is, having to struggle against our cultural demands in order to remain faithful and reverent is a travesty, IMO. Muslims pray 5 times a day...no matter what. It's not something they have to talk themselves into...it is intrinsic to their culture. Christians should be at least that devoted to the one true God, wouldn't you say?

From a historical perspective, I believe worship in a temple or tabernacle was a daily part of Jewish life. The faithful did not set aside time to turn their attention to God, rather they were ceaselessly mindful of Him and obeyed His director for sacraments, prayers, fests, sacrifices, etc.

Here is a link that may help:

http://www.liturgica.com/html/litEChLitDev.jsp?hostname=null

[CrowsNest]

Well, the early church met house to house and fellowshipped in the breaking of bread. That could have been daily. But that doesn't mean they were having services everyday.
Of course if they were getting together and eating, fellowshipping the goodness of God, and praying together then there would have been no need for a traditional service more than likely. Their minds and hearts were set on God and doing His will all the time...

[One Bad Pig]

Well, the early church met house to house and fellowshipped in the breaking of bread. That could have been daily. But that doesn't mean they were having services everyday.
Of course if they were getting together and eating, fellowshipping the goodness of God, and praying together then there would have been no need for a traditional service more than likely. Their minds and hearts were set on God and doing His will all the time...
"Breaking of bread" meant that they were celebrating the Eucharist. Eucharist and fellowship. :hrm: Sounds like a service to me.

[Rusty T]

I don't think most Orthodox churches celebrate Eucharist every day. Most Catholic parishes do. I try to attend whenever I can. Today was such a day. It's great to be able to.

[Storico]

I would love to live in a community that fellowshipped together every day. It wouldn't need to be a formal service, but an actual get together, in person, of people who make up part of the family of Christ. There's just something about that fellowship that is so WARM. Tonight, visiting family friends, I was reminded of that when we said grace before dinner. It's been too long since I've held hands with people around a table. It was great, to be with friends, just spending time together after thanking God together.

I don't want to criticize modern churches. I believe we as church members get out of a church what we put into a church. But in some churches, it DOES seem like the attitude is that going every Sunday is good enough, and who needs to go more often than that, really? I wish we had daily services. I wish there could be fellowship, warm conversation and even a little laughter. Mid-week church get togethers like a small group or a Bible study offer that, but.... there's something I can't place my finger on. I think it's actually what I see TWeb offering -- a place for people to just hang out and fellowship, goof off and talk about God too. On a daily basis.

As for how often to attend church.... if I knew how to get others together to fellowship like THAT, I'd love it to be every day. A "come as you are, bring yourself, sit down, hang out and enjoy the company (or the comfort, or the debate, or the ______".

[spiritmech]

The Orthodox Church does not celebrate the Eucharist every day. You need a celibate priest to do that.
sm

[Pilgrim]

Multiple services on Sunday in the protestant tradition are a practical consideration not a theological one. As churches grow in membership they need more services or more space to be able to provide a worship experience for everyone.

[Adam]

Multiple services on Sunday in the protestant tradition are a practical consideration not a theological one. As churches grow in membership they need more services or more space to be able to provide a worship experience for everyone.
Um, Pilgrim,
Your mainline is showing. (Mainline is RC, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Methodist.)
Yes, mainline churches have extra Sunday services in the morning as a convenience to accommodate large numbers in a church building that is too small for all to meet at one time.
Some even have a late Saturday service for the same purpose, and RC their extra Sunday evening service. However, it is usually the case that the tone of the services are different, aimed at different age groups
Evangelicals, in contrast, have special Sunday evening services, maybe two. First might be a youth service, then an evangelical service. (As if anyone would show up unannounced to an evening service who wouldn't more likely come to a morning service.) In addition, most evangelicals have an extra morning service for Bible study or adult Sunday school. They may, of course, have multiple ordinary Sunday worship services if they have too many people to fit in one service.
Adam

[Pilgrim]

Um, Pilgrim,
Your mainline is showing. (Mainline is RC, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Methodist.)
Yes, mainline churches have extra Sunday services in the morning as a convenience to accommodate large numbers in a church building that is too small for all to meet at one time.
Some even have a late Saturday service for the same purpose, and RC their extra Sunday evening service. However, it is usually the case that the tone of the services are different, aimed at different age groups
Evangelicals, in contrast, have special Sunday evening services, maybe two. First might be a youth service, then an evangelical service. (As if anyone would show up unannounced to an evening service who wouldn't more likely come to a morning service.) In addition, most evangelicals have an extra morning service for Bible study or adult Sunday school. They may, of course, have multiple ordinary Sunday worship services if they have too many people to fit in one service.
Adam

Technical point: bible study and Sunday school are not worship services, they're Christian education. Two different things. You can't really count them as "services" in the vein of a Worship service.

Main line churches often have different tones at different services. The church I grew up in had two morning worship services and each one offered a different style of music, preaching and worship. It was still mostly a practical consideration because there were so many folks coming. They just figured, hey, why not offer variety since we're having two service?

[Augustine2004]

But, Pilgrim, what is education if not to make us better persons?

[Pilgrim]

Augustine, what does your question have to do with the distinction between an educational event a and worship service? Seriously, you make some really non sequitors some time.

[Augustine2004]

Let's start with the question of why we worship.

[One Bad Pig]

The Orthodox Church does not celebrate the Eucharist every day. You need a celibate priest to do that.
sm
:huh: Aren't most Orthodox priests celibate?

Where does the celibacy requirement come from, anyway?

[Amazing Rando]

:huh: Aren't most Orthodox priests celibate?

Where does the celibacy requirement come from, anyway?

Orthodox priests are actually allowed to marry. It's only Catholic priests who aren't.

[One Bad Pig]

Orthodox priests are actually allowed to marry. It's only Catholic priests who aren't.
Orthodox priests are allowed to be married, but once they become a priest, they're not allowed to marry. Bishops and above are celibate, because they're drawn from monastic communities.

[Augustine2004]

Orthodox priests are allowed to be married, but once they become a priest, they're not allowed to marry. Bishops and above are celibate, because they're drawn from monastic communities.You mean, if a man is still a bachelor when he becomes a priest, he thenceforth is not allowed to marry?

[Rusty T]

that's correct, augustine

[spiritmech]

Orthodox priests are celibate the day before they celebrate the Eucharist.

Catholic priests are celibate every day, so they can celebrate daily.

I'm not sure of the requirement, but that is what was done historically.
sm

:huh: Aren't most Orthodox priests celibate?

Where does the celibacy requirement come from, anyway?

[DesertBerean]

Bible study and children's church in my church are not considered worship services either, and we have them along with morning and evening services on Sunday, with the evening service being more evangelical. On Wednesday we have services aimed at the different groups (young marrieds, adults, youth, etc.) We have a Spanish service on Thursday for our community.

If our church keeps growing we may add another Sunday service.

I guess our reasons for those services are 1) Sunday - because it's the Lord's day and 2) they're based on the needs of the people.

[Augustine2004]

Has someone explained why we have worship service? Why must we have them rather than Bible study? Isn't Bible study vital? Worship services as we usually have them do not really educate Christians.

[PatristicArcana]

Does anyone know the origin of multiple chruch services on Sunday?

In ca. 100, Pliny the Younger recorded that Christians would meet on Sunday, once before dawn to sing a hymn, and again later in the day for the love-feast. Cyprian would verify this in ca. 250, and would also intimate that Communion was held during the first service (and Tertullian would further validate this last point as well).

[One Bad Pig]

Has someone explained why we have worship service? Why must we have them rather than Bible study? Isn't Bible study vital? Worship services as we usually have them do not really educate Christians.
They're both important. Education is good, but IMO individual/small group study is more important than listening to someone preach.

The Bereans were commended for studying the Scriptures:


10 The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

We are encouraged to draw near and not forsake the assembling of ourselves together:
19 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

It would seem that a sermon/homily (or small group study) would be a good way to stimulate each other to love and do good deeds.

We are also encouraged to worship through song:


speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;


Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

As far as I can see, Christian services are almost universally made up of study and worship. The homily/sermon constitutes study, and the rest of the service is devoted to worship.

[Jawa Man]

Ideally, there is still always a service in Orthodoxy, even if not the Eucharist; morning prayers and evening prayers. Also, during Lent, there will be even more services than usual, including Eucharistic services (the norm is to abstain from sex on all fast days).

[One Bad Pig]

Utini!

[Augustine2004]

Utini!What? Jawa cry in Star Wars?

[Augustine2004]

The idea is to be ever better Christians.

[One Bad Pig]

The idea is to be ever better Christians.

:hrm: It seems to me that the idea is to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I agree that there is an expectation of continuing spiritual maturation though.

[Jawa Man]

Jawas are the cat's pajamas. I just found out today from a Copt trying to get me to go to Church on a Saturday that they have liturgies daily in Egypt, and even more than once a day. They have multiple altars in their Churches because of this. I am guessing they have enough priests to make this possible with the restrictions on sexual purity, though I'd have to ask (I'll being seeing two Copts in a few days).

Just to add: Liturgy = a communion service. Only one service per altar, and per priest, a day

[TuckEverlasting]

Orthodox priests are allowed to be married, but once they become a priest, they're not allowed to marry.

Really? Why? :nsm:

[spiritmech]

Orthodox priests are allowed to be married, but once they become a priest, they're not allowed to marry. Bishops and above are celibate, because they're drawn from monastic communities.

I think it's even more defined than that, Orthodox deacons (one becomes a deacon before becoming a priest, if at all), must be married before they are "deacon-ized," if they want to be married as a deacon/priest.

I think that's right. I may be wrong. That's off the top of my head.
sm

[Jawa Man]

Really? Why? :nsm:

I actually hate the rule myself, and priests used to be allowed to marry even after ordination. During the ordination they just had to make it known that they intended to get married during their ministry.

The idea of a young priest losing his wife or she losing her husband and never being able to marry again is somewhat depressing to me.

[Jawa Man]

I think it's even more defined than that, Orthodox deacons (one becomes a deacon before becoming a priest, if at all), must be married before they are "deacon-ized," if they want to be married as a deacon/priest.

I think that's right. I may be wrong. That's off the top of my head.
sm

That's right I think. Usually the office of deacon is considered a priestly office. Some people disagree, though, like Father Paul Tarazi of St. Vladimir's Seminary, since they don't have any sacramental power beyond that of a layman.

[Adam]

I actually hate the rule myself, and priests used to be allowed to marry even after ordination. During the ordination they just had to make it known that they intended to get married during their ministry.

I never had heard that. When, or in which autonomous churches, were priests allowed to marry after ordination? And were they there or then allowed to re-marry if widowed?
Adam

[Jawa Man]

Oops, I misunderstood the source I got that from. It was only deacons which were allowed to be ordained unmarried and become married later on. Here is the article I learned it from originally: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf214.xiv.iii.vii.html

I guess in light of this, although I feel terrible for the priest or his wife whose spouse dies, if it is really a practice that has been there since the beginning, I can't actually complain that it's bad.

[Jezz]

I actually hate the rule myself, and priests used to be allowed to marry even after ordination. During the ordination they just had to make it known that they intended to get married during their ministry.

The idea of a young priest losing his wife or she losing her husband and never being able to marry again is somewhat depressing to me.
Ahh, but here's the thing, Jawa: would a truly faithful Orthodox (as a priest should be) really consider their spouse to be lost?

Note that one marriage only was always the ideal. St Paul said that a widow would be "happier if she remains as she is" (1 Cor 7:40). Remarriage is called bigamy (I think the Greek for being married to two women at the same time is digamy, not bigamy).

So I think rather than being depressed, you should rejoice in the fact that the surviving spouse preserves their fidelity to their spouse even in death...

One area where I do feel for the spouse is when young children are left behind, as this can make it more difficult to raise them. This was one of the arguments put forward for allowing remarriage of priests at the 1929 pan-Orthodox congress - especially after persecution in Serbia and places like it had left many Orthodox priests widowers.

[Jezz]

The Orthodox Church does not celebrate the Eucharist every day.
Most parishes do not, it is true. However, most of them celebrate it at least once during the week, on an important feast day.

During Great Lent all parishes have services most nights during the week (Great Compline on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday), praises to the Theotokos on Friday, and the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts on Wednesday).

You need a celibate priest to do that.
Not strictly true. You could do it if your parish had two priests.

[mostlyharmless]

I wonder if the separation between worship and message that people observe in modern church services should actually exist. Did anyone else notice that Christmas carols have an enormous amount of theology in them? Don't most traditional prayers and hymns serve a dual purpose of worship and imparting theology. At least that's something I observe in historical Christianity. Someone who knows church history correct me if I am wrong.

[One Bad Pig]

I wonder if the separation between worship and message that people observe in modern church services should actually exist. Did anyone else notice that Christmas carols have an enormous amount of theology in them? Don't most traditional prayers and hymns serve a dual purpose of worship and imparting theology. At least that's something I observe in historical Christianity. Someone who knows church history correct me if I am wrong.
[caveat; what protestants think of as hymns wouldn't be considered 'historical' by the other 2/3 of Christendom]

The Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (used in most Orthodox churches today) is heavily based on the book of Revelation, so it can't help but be theologically rich.

Protestant hymns also tend to be theologically rich, but I don't think it's because the writers were necessarily trying to impart theology. Rather, the writers were steeped in theology, and it's evident in the hymns they wrote. IMO the shallow worship choruses of today reflect the theological barrenness of the writers.

[Heartablaze]

Ahh, but here's the thing, Jawa: would a truly faithful Orthodox (as a priest should be) really consider their spouse to be lost?

Note that one marriage only was always the ideal. St Paul said that a widow would be "happier if she remains as she is" (1 Cor 7:40). Remarriage is called bigamy (I think the Greek for being married to two women at the same time is digamy, not bigamy).

So I think rather than being depressed, you should rejoice in the fact that the surviving spouse preserves their fidelity to their spouse even in death...
.

Perhaps it is so, but the verse right before the one you posted(1 Cor 7:39) seems to say that widows should be free in the Lord to remarry. It is their choice, perhaps leading to sadness. But if the Lord sanctions it, then perhaps sometimes it can be actually good to remarry; it is not as if the dead will be married to one another anyway in paradise.

Somewhat off-topic with the OP, but... a lot to do with when to worship has to do with ecclesiology, which determines other things such as marriage. I believe many of us humans would have just liked it if he had set down a schedule for us to follow, an exact command for every part of life. This is one reason for the Talmud in Judaism. It seems that since we do not follow the first covenant, we have more freedom, which means more choices, but also more snags, perhaps.

I mean, if the early church went to synagogue, etc, was it only for the Jews they wanted to convert? How do we know what the Lord's day is? Does 'pray without ceasing' mean attend your church 24/7? When do pastors/priests get to rest?

[spiritmech]

Not disagreeing. I'm aware.
sm

Most parishes do not, it is true. However, most of them celebrate it at least once during the week, on an important feast day.

During Great Lent all parishes have services most nights during the week (Great Compline on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday), praises to the Theotokos on Friday, and the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts on Wednesday).


Not strictly true. You could do it if your parish had two priests.

[spiritmech]

Prayer is not the same thing as the Divine Liturgy. One can pray constantly without being at church or celebrating the Liturgy. So no, "pray without ceasing" does not mean attend your church 24/7. I'm not sure which one of us in the thread said to do that. :shrug:
sm

Perhaps it is so, but the verse right before the one you posted(1 Cor 7:39) seems to say that widows should be free in the Lord to remarry. It is their choice, perhaps leading to sadness. But if the Lord sanctions it, then perhaps sometimes it can be actually good to remarry; it is not as if the dead will be married to one another anyway in paradise.

Somewhat off-topic with the OP, but... a lot to do with when to worship has to do with ecclesiology, which determines other things such as marriage. I believe many of us humans would have just liked it if he had set down a schedule for us to follow, an exact command for every part of life. This is one reason for the Talmud in Judaism. It seems that since we do not follow the first covenant, we have more freedom, which means more choices, but also more snags, perhaps.

I mean, if the early church went to synagogue, etc, was it only for the Jews they wanted to convert? How do we know what the Lord's day is? Does 'pray without ceasing' mean attend your church 24/7? When do pastors/priests get to rest?

[One Bad Pig]

Perhaps it is so, but the verse right before the one you posted(1 Cor 7:39) seems to say that widows should be free in the Lord to remarry. It is their choice, perhaps leading to sadness. But if the Lord sanctions it, then perhaps sometimes it can be actually good to remarry; it is not as if the dead will be married to one another anyway in paradise.
Actually, Jezz brought up a very good point, one that I hadn't taken into consideration before. In Christ, death is no longer a vast gulf. The closeness of the Orthodox with the departed saints is a testimony to that IMO, and I wouldn't expect a greater gulf between the widower and his departed wife. Also, keep in mind 1 Tim 3:12.

Somewhat off-topic with the OP, but... a lot to do with when to worship has to do with ecclesiology, which determines other things such as marriage. I believe many of us humans would have just liked it if he had set down a schedule for us to follow, an exact command for every part of life. This is one reason for the Talmud in Judaism. It seems that since we do not follow the first covenant, we have more freedom, which means more choices, but also more snags, perhaps.

I mean, if the early church went to synagogue, etc, was it only for the Jews they wanted to convert?
The early church generally met in houses. I'd imagine the non-believing Jews would rather take exception to the Eucharist being performed in their meeting. So yeah, the synagogue would be an excellent place to discuss the New Covenant with Jews, but not to hold services.

How do we know what the Lord's day is?
The day Christ rose from the dead, and appeared to his disciples in the upper room that evening? The same day a week later when he met with his disciples again in the upper room? The same day (Lev 23:15-16) that the Holy Spirit indwelt the disciples at Pentecost? :hrm: I'm beginning to see a pattern here...

Does 'pray without ceasing' mean attend your church 24/7? When do pastors/priests get to rest?
No.

[Jezz]

Perhaps it is so, but the verse right before the one you posted(1 Cor 7:39) seems to say that widows should be free in the Lord to remarry. It is their choice, perhaps leading to sadness. But if the Lord sanctions it, then perhaps sometimes it can be actually good to remarry;
I'm not denying that St Paul said it was permissible for widows to remarry. This doesn't contradict my point - which was that the ideal was for them to remain single (as St Paul himself noted). And as I pointed out, of all people, our leaders should be the ones who are held to the ideals.

it is not as if the dead will be married to one another anyway in paradise.
I don't think it's quite so straightforward as that. In the Orthodox wedding ceremony, there is no "'til death do us part".

Somewhat off-topic with the OP, but... a lot to do with when to worship has to do with ecclesiology, which determines other things such as marriage. I believe many of us humans would have just liked it if he had set down a schedule for us to follow, an exact command for every part of life. This is one reason for the Talmud in Judaism. It seems that since we do not follow the first covenant, we have more freedom, which means more choices, but also more snags, perhaps.
It is true that the first covenant community had guides in these matters (ie, the Sanhedrin and the oral tradition - of which the Talmud is essentially a written record) to help guide the people in such things. But I think you are mistaken to think that the New Covenant community didn't have the same sort of guidance. One only needs to read the early writings of the Church to see that the bishops and priests fulfilled a similar role in the New Covenant as the Sanhedrin did in the Old Covenant - through their various synods - handing down rulings on topics like these that aren't explicitly covered in Scripture. The current ruling in the Orthodox Church is that an able-bodied Christian ought to attend divine liturgy at least once per week, and they can be excommunicated if they miss more than three weeks in a row (this rule is not applied very strictly in our present day and age, due to the generally much lower standard of spirituality in our modern Churches).

I mean, if the early church went to synagogue, etc, was it only for the Jews they wanted to convert?
In the beginning they went because they were still Jews. Gradually the two began to split, though, so that by mid second century those who still went to synagogues were considered by many to be traitors.

How do we know what the Lord's day is?
Church history. Even the writings of the NT tell us, IIRC, that the faithful used to meet on the first day of the week to "break bread" (ie, celebrate the Eucharist).

Does 'pray without ceasing' mean attend your church 24/7? When do pastors/priests get to rest?
No. In Orthodoxy, we try to fulfil this commandment through use of the "Jesus Prayer", which is usually some variation of: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me!", and we say it over and over again.

[Lightknight]

To the OP, the early church was more of a community that seemed to get together for meals regularly (if not a meal every day). As far as I can tell, it was really never meant to be be done in the format it is in today (RCC or most Protestant). For one major example, the function of the pastor was completely different from today's standard (most pastors in today's churches actually fill the role of teaching and don't even have the gift of pastorship. Likewise in the RCC, there is no role of priest anymore according to scripture (Jesus being the last one, once and for all time) and the priests mostly function as teachers as well which surprisingly has never been the role of priests historically. Interesting stuff in my opinion.

So how often are we supposed to "go to church", every day. Church was a community of believers, not a place to go to. You could never attend a single sermon and still fully meet the Biblical command of not forsaking the assembling of one another.

[jesusfreak]

I never knew that Catholics have a service everyday until I joined the Air Force I wish I could go to them to see what it is like but it is during the work day

[ChemMJW]

Orthodox priests are actually allowed to marry. It's only Catholic priests who aren't.

Two comments to clear up an often-misunderstood, but substantial issue - it's only Roman-rite Catholic priests who cannot marry; priests of the Eastern-rite Catholic Churches may marry. Like the Orthodox Churches, however, Eastern-rite Catholic bishops must be celibate, as far as I know.

Also, Roman Catholic Deacons may marry, but they must do so before they are ordained to the diaconate. After ordination, single deacons may not marry.

Furthermore, the celibacy requirement for Roman Catholic clergy is not based in definitive doctrine; it is simply based in Church Tradition. As such, the Roman Pontiff could dispense with the requirement of celibacy, but it is such a gracious gift for the clergy that it will likely not happen.

Peace.

[BillTBC]

I don't think anyone has mentioned this, but in the Catholic Church, and some other Churches I'm sure (I know I prayed Evening Prayer with some Episcopalians once), the Liturgy of the Hours is celebrated by priests and many lay persons, too. Although it can be prayed individually, it is ideally celebrated communally. One need not have a priest or a deacon present.

For those unfamiliar, the Liturgy of the Hours is a set of prayers that one prays at various times throughout the day. Some people pray just the morning and evening prayers, other do more.

The day begins with the "Invitatory" which is a responsorial psalm. Usually this is Psalm 95, but one can also pray Psalms 100,67, or 24. Then there is the Morning Prayer which consists in a hymn, Psalm, Old Testament canticle (usually from one of the prophets), another Psalm, a Biblical reading, the Canticle of Zechariah, general intercessions (with which one can add one's own intentions), the Lord's Prayer, and a concluding prayer. Then there are three times of daytime prayer: midmorning, midday, and midafternoon, which consist in 3 psalms, a short Biblical reading, and a prayer. Then there is Evening Prayer which is like Morning prayer except it's Psalm, Psalm, NT Canticle, and the Canticle of Mary rather than Zechariah. Then there is the night prayer, which has a psalm, a Biblical reading, and the Canticle of Simeon.

Finally, there is the Office of Readings which includes 3 psalms, a longer Biblical reading, and a non-Biblical reading.

Yes, it is complicated to learn at first.