Vespers: The Evening Sacrifice [EP. 22]

Outside, the sun is going down; inside the church, a new day has already begun. In this introduction to the daily cycle of Orthodox worship, Dcn Seraphim explains why the Church begins each day at sunset and how Vespers teaches Christians to experience time not as an empty succession of appointments but as a creation filled with memory, prayer, fasting, and feasting. He follows the service from Psalm 103 and the open doors of Paradise through humanity's exile, the evening incense and changing hymns, the entrance of the clergy, and the ancient hymn “O Gladsome Light,” in which the setting sun points to Christ, the uncreated Light. Old Testament readings, litanies, and the Song of Symeon lead the congregation toward peaceful rest after beholding the beginning of Christ's salvation. Along the way he explains how the service books and liturgical cycles fit together and offers newcomers practical guidance for attending, listening, and allowing Vespers to prepare them for Sunday and the great feasts.

Handouts and resources: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14R60JXC6Gv2pUdg9yPcjvcwb2X6VZkKM?usp=sharing

Music Used: Cherubic Hymn, Romanian Chant, Tone 8 Choir of St. Seraphim Orthodox Cathedral, Santa Rosa, CA