A Manual of the Orthodox Church's Divine Services

— About the Book —

This comprehensive work represents a complete but accessible survey of everything related to the Orthodox Church's divine services and is helpfully illustrated throughout. The author begins with a discussion of the nature and origin of Divine worship. He describes 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. The reader will also find a rare discussion of the rite of the Coronation and Anointing of the Tsar.

This manual was originally translated and printed before the Russian Revolution. It is suitable both as an introduction to Orthodox worship for the inquirer and as a convenient handbook 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