A Manual of the Orthodox Church's Divine Services

— About the Book —

A comprehensive work that provides a complete but accessible narrative survey of everything pertaining to the Orthodox Church's divine services, complimented by helpful illustrations throughout. The author begins with a discussion of the nature and origin of divine worship followed by a description of the church building, the clergy who perform divine services and their vestments, and the cycles of public worship. The services of Great Vespers, Matins, and the Divine Liturgy are reviewed in detail, as are festal services, and different services of need: Baptism and Chrismation, Confession, Ordination, Matrimony, Unction, Prayer Services, Monastic Tonsure and Burial, and the Consecration of a Church. Of particular interest is a rare discussion of the rite of the Coronation and Anointing of a Tsar.

Originally translated and published in Albany, New York in 1899, this edition has been re-edited to reflect current English-language liturgical usage. It is suitable both as an introduction to Orthodox worship for the inquirer and as a convenient reference work for those already familiar with the intricacies of Orthodox services.

— Author Biography —

Archpriest Dmitry Sokolof (1832 – 1915) was assigned to the church in St Petersburg's Winter Palace, the official residence of the Russian Tsar until 1917 and now the home of the world-famous Hermitage Museum. He is the author of numerous textbooks on the subject of religious education and catechism.

— Contents —

Preliminary Ideas 

The Christian Church Building

The Persons Who Perform Divine Services, and Their Vestments 

Public Worship

Great Vespers 

Matins

The Liturgy

Special Features of Divine Services on Feast-Days and In Fast-Times 

The Different Ministrations 

Books Containing the Divine Services