Coptic Agpeya (Prayer Times)

The Word "AGPEYA"

The word AGPEYA takes its origins from the Coptic word TI-AGP, which literally means the hour.

The Book of "AGPEYA":

The book of AGPEYA contains the seven canonical daily prayers which have been cherished and practiced by the faithful Copts of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria, Egypt.

The Psalms as the core basis for the Seven Daily Prayers:

The seven canonical prayers have their root in the Psalms. David said; "Seven times a day, do I praise you of your righteous Judgement" (Psalm 119:164).
The numerical order of Psalms in this book of prayer conforms to the Coptic Translation.

However these Seven prayer times are also maintained by the Ethiopian Church, other Orientals and some Eastern Orthodox Churches.

Psalm 119:164

"Seven Times A Day Do I Praise Thee Because of Thy Righteous Judgments".

PRIME (First Hour, Sunrise) = 06:00 am

This hour is prayed early in the morning, and commemorates the Resurrection of the Lord (Psalm 62:1/63:1). Signalled and symbolised by the rising sun at 6am.

A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

Prime Gospel: John 1-17

Prime Litanies

TERCE (Third Hour) = 09:00 am

In this hour of the day, the Holy Spirit came down upon the Apostles as tongues of fire (Acts 2:15). At this hour, Yahshuah Karast Mesu was condemned at 9am.

Terce Gospel: John 14

Terce Litanies

SEXT (Sixth Hour) = 12:00 pm

In this hour, Yahshuah Karast Mesu was crucified (John 19:14) Signalled at Midday or Noonday at 12pm.

Sext Gospel: Matthew 5

Sext Litanies

NONE (Ninth Hour) = 15:00 pm

This hour commemorates the death of our Lord in the flesh upon the tree (aka cross) and the testimony of the thief at his right hand (Matthew 21:46).  Signalled at the 9th hour, at 3pm.

None Gospel: Luke 9:10-17

None Litanies

VESPERS (Eleventh Hour) = 17:00 pm

Instituted to commemorate the removing of the body of the Lord Jesus Christ from the Cross. The wrapping of it in linen, and the anointing of it with sweet spices. Signalled at the 11th hour, at 5pm.

Vespers Gospel: Luke 4: 38-41

Vespers Litanies

COMPLINE (Twelfth Hour) = 18:00 pm

This hour commemorates the laying down of the body of Christ in the grave. It corresponds to the last hour of the day before retiring, since sleep is but a temporary death (Psalm 62:6). Signalled at the 9th hour, at 6pm.

Compline Gospel: Luke 2: 25-32

Compline Litanies

MIDNIGHT (Sixth Hour of Night ) = 12am (0:00)

This hour includes three services corresponding to the three times our Lord prayed in Gethsemane (Psalm 118:62) signalled at Midnight.

The First Watch of the Midnight Prayers: Matthew 25: 1-13

The First Watch of the Midnight Litanies

The Second Watch of the Midnight Prayers: Luke 7: 36-50

The Second Watch of the Midnight Litanies

The Third Watch of the Midnight Prayers: Luke 12: 32-46

The Third Watch of the Midnight Litanies

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