Kathisma - what is it? Reading Kathisma

Today there is a large increase in interest inOrthodox faith. And this is probably due to the fact that people began to look for God. After all, life with its sharp turns often leads them to a real dead end. And then each one has their own way to God. In this case, the main companion becomes a prayer. She, like a lamp in darkness, begins to consecrate the path. That's just need to learn how to use it and understand. This will help every believer in the most powerful liturgical book - the Psalter and Kathisma. And if everything is clear with the first concept, the second is genuinely surprising to many. Accordingly, inexperienced believers are interested in the question: kafizma - what is it? Let's talk about everything in order.

Kathisma: what is it?

The liturgical section of the Psalter is called Kathisma.This word is translated from Greek as "sit." That is, while reading it in the service, it is not necessary to stand on your feet. Allowed to sit down. Kathisma in the holy book of the Orthodox is very much. It is very important to learn that the Psalter is divided into as many as 20 such sections. Kathisma 17 is the smallest. It consists of only one 118th psalm, called "Immaculate." In turn, it is divided into three parts.

But the biggest Kathisma is the eighteenth.It includes 15 psalms: from the 119th to the 133rd. They read the Psalter in kafisms, where each part of it is called a statism (from Greek “chapter”, “subsection”) or glory. In turn, it may consist of one or several psalms.

Reading Kathisma

In the service of the reader reads the first partpraise: "Glory, and now. Amen". Singers - the second. And the third part again ends the reader: “Glory, and now. Amen". This is done in order to associate kafism with the appeal of prayer. It turns out that the reader and the chorus during divine service interspersing the praise of God. The table indicates the kathismas (where K-kathisma, P-psalms).

Here it is also necessary to know that Kathisma 20includes the adjacent psalm 151. It is contained in the Greek and Slavic Bibles, but is not used in church worship. Therefore, it is not in the table. The author of this psalm is unknown. Most likely, it was written by some pious Levite. It was discovered only in the 20th century in ancient manuscripts found in the Qumran caves in the Dead Sea scrolls.

Worship and Kathisma

Continuing the theme entitled “Kathisma - whatis it? ”it should be noted that the church charter defines the order of readings. During the week of worship Psalms read in full. And in Lent - twice a week. Ordinary - Kafizma, laid on this day under the Charter. The table can be found with their distribution in normal periods.

В неделю кафизмы читаются в следующем порядке:one for the evening service and two for the morning. However, it is important to know that the week starts with resurrection. Hence, the first Kathisma reads on Saturday evening. It is called Sunday evening. If a holiday fell on this day and the All-Night Vigil (solemn public worship) was on the eve, the reading is canceled. The statute allows vigils on the eve of each resurrection. Therefore, kafizma does not happen on Sunday evening.

Selected moments

As for the 17th Kathisma, it, along with the 16thread on Saturday, not on Friday. Since on weekdays she is recited at midnight (one of the services of the daily church service). If a holiday has polyelles (part of the morning, where 135-136 psalms are read), then already an ordinary Kathisma cannot be read at vespers. Instead, the glory of the first is recited. And she is pronounced on Sunday evening too.

When the Great Feasts of the Lord go on vespersKathisma does not happen. But this does not apply on Saturday evening. At this time, the 1st Kafizma is pronounced. Sunday evening is also an exception. Then the 1st status of kathisma is read. On matins they are recited even on great holidays. However, this rule does not apply to the Easter Week (the first seven days of Easter), which has a special liturgical charter.

schedule

In Lent, much time is spent reading.kafizm They are recited in such a way that the Psalter is read twice a week. At this time, kathismas exist on vespers, as well as on matins and hours after separate psalmopenias. During all the weeks of Great Lent (except for the fifth), they are read on a schedule.

But on Thursdays of Great Lent on the fifth weekserved as the canon of Andrew of Crete. And only one kathisma is read on matins. The Holy Week Psalter is recited from Monday to Wednesday. And only once. After this kafizm no. Only then, on the matins of Great Sabbath, the psalm “Unstable” is pronounced with praises. There are no kafizms in the Bright seven, too.

But a completely different type of psalmopenia is Sixpsalmie,when six psalms are read: 3, 37, 62, 87, 102 and 142. Christians in this case pray as if talking to an invisible God. At this time, you can not walk and sit. In conclusion of the theme “Kathisma - what is it?” It is worth noting a few more important points.

Psalm reading rules

Kathismas are a special kind of chants other thanothers, for example, predestination psalms. The latter are read more calmly and less solemnly. At home, the psalms are recited with a burning lamp. They are pronounced, observing the correct accents, out loud or in a low voice, so that not only the mind, but also the ears, heed prayer words. This can be done while sitting, but with the beginning and closing prayers and glories it is necessary to get up.

Psalms are read without expression, monotonously, a littlechant, without theatrical expressiveness. If the words are not clear, do not be embarrassed. There is a statement regarding the Psalter: "You may not understand, but demons understand everything." In process of spiritual development, the whole divine sense of the read will be revealed.

Conclusion

And finally, I want to answer one moreA question that concerns many people: When is kafism read? Some superstitious or magic-related people claim that it needs to be recited only when there is a dead person in the house. In other cases it will bring a lot of trouble and misfortune. But Orthodox priests claim that it is possible to read absolutely all kathisms without restrictions.