![Shehimo Breviary](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/Shehimo_Breviary.jpg)
Shehimo ( syr, , ml, ഷഹീമോ;
English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
** English national ide ...
: Book of Common Prayer, also spelled Sh'himo) is the
West Syriac Christian
breviary
A breviary (Latin: ''breviarium'') is a liturgical book used in Christianity for praying the canonical hours, usually recited at seven fixed prayer times.
Historically, different breviaries were used in the various parts of Christendom, such a ...
of the
Syriac Orthodox Church
, native_name_lang = syc
, image = St_George_Syriac_orthodox_church_in_Damascus.jpg
, imagewidth = 250
, alt = Cathedral of Saint George
, caption = Cathedral of Saint George, Damascus ...
and the
West Syriac Saint Thomas Christians
The Saint Thomas Christians, also called Syrian Christians of India, ''Marthoma Suriyani Nasrani'', ''Malankara Nasrani'', or ''Nasrani Mappila'', are an ethno-religious
An ethnoreligious group (or an ethno-religious group) is a grouping of ...
of
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
(
Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church
The Jacobite Syrian Christian Church (JSCC), or the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in India also known as Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, the Jacobite Syrian Church, and the Syriac Orthodox Church in India, ...
,
Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC) also known as the Indian Orthodox Church (IOC) or simply as the Malankara Church, is an autocephalous Oriental Orthodox church headquartered in Devalokam, near Kottayam, India. The church serve ...
,
Marthoma Syrian Church
The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church, often shortened to Mar Thoma Church, and known also as the Reformed Syrian ChurchS. N. Sadasivan. A Social History of India'. APH Publishing; 2000. . p. 442. and the Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar ...
and
Thozhiyur Church) that contains the seven
canonical hours
In the practice of Christianity, canonical hours mark the divisions of the day in terms of fixed times of prayer at regular intervals. A book of hours, chiefly a breviary, normally contains a version of, or selection from, such prayers.
In ...
of prayer.
The Shehimo includes Bible readings, hymns and other prescribed prayers from the West Syriac Liturgical system. Within the breviary there are certain prayers that are recited at
seven fixed prayer times, while
facing the east at home or at church. The Shehimo also provides communal prayers as an introduction to the
Holy Qurbono. The practice of praying during the canonical hours has its roots taken from , in which the prophet
David
David (; , "beloved one") (traditional spelling), , ''Dāwūd''; grc-koi, Δαυΐδ, Dauíd; la, Davidus, David; gez , ዳዊት, ''Dawit''; xcl, Դաւիթ, ''Dawitʿ''; cu, Давíдъ, ''Davidŭ''; possibly meaning "beloved one". w ...
prays to God seven times a day.
The Shehimo breviary can be prayed either by reading or
chanting
A chant (from French ', from Latin ', "to sing") is the iterative speaking or singing of words or sounds, often primarily on one or two main pitches called reciting tones. Chants may range from a simple melody involving a limited set of notes ...
the prose or singing the verses. The different versions of the breviary are available in
Syriac Syriac may refer to:
*Syriac language, an ancient dialect of Middle Aramaic
*Sureth, one of the modern dialects of Syriac spoken in the Nineveh Plains region
* Syriac alphabet
** Syriac (Unicode block)
** Syriac Supplement
* Neo-Aramaic languages a ...
,
Malayalam
Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 22 scheduled languages of India. Malayalam was des ...
,
English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
** English national ide ...
, among other languages.
History
The Shehimo is considered a treasury of Syriac Christianity, dating back all the way to the
4th century
The 4th century (per the Julian calendar and Anno Domini/Common era) was the time period which lasted from 301 (Roman numerals, CCCI) through 400 (Roman numerals, CD). In the West, the early part of the century was shaped by Constantine the Grea ...
. Traditionally, the early texts were originally in Syriac only but, with the work and translations of the late Mr. C. P. Chandy, the prayers were made available in Malayalam while still preserving the original Syriac meter. In the 1960s,
Fr. Bede Griffiths of
Kurisumala Ashram
Kurisumala Ashram is a Trappist monastery of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in the Sahya Mountains in Vagamon, Kerala, India.
History
Francis Mahieu, a Trappist monk from the Scourmont Abbey in Belgium came to Kerala to start the as ...
translated an English prose version of the Pampakuda edition Shehimo which was the only English Shehimo version existing among the Syrian scholars. This 2016 version of the Shehimo is a versified edition of the two works by a team of theologically trained individuals in America.
Baby Varghese
Baby Varghese, () born in India, is a Malankara Orthodox priest and a Church historian and scholar in Syriac Liturgical Theology.
Education
After graduating from CMS College in Kottayam, Varghese joined Orthodox Theological Seminary in Kotta ...
writes, "This publication is a first attempt at the English versification stemming from these individuals' love for the Syriac liturgy."
There are currently no active attempts at a revision.
Order of Canonical Hours
The seven hours of prayers begin the day before with Ramsho (Evening) and end the day of with Tsha' sho'in (9th Hour), following the definition of a day in the
Christian Bible
The Bible (from Koine Greek , , 'the books') is a collection of religious texts or scriptures that are held to be sacred in Christianity, Judaism, Samaritanism, and many other religions. The Bible is an anthologya compilation of texts of a ...
(cf. ).
Themes
At the beginning of the week, which is Sunday, believers participate in the public celebration of the
Holy Qurbono. The Holy Qurbono or divine liturgy remembers the
birth
Birth is the act or process of bearing or bringing forth offspring, also referred to in technical contexts as parturition. In mammals, the process is initiated by hormones which cause the muscular walls of the uterus to contract, expelling the f ...
,
baptism
Baptism (from grc-x-koine, βάπτισμα, váptisma) is a form of ritual purification—a characteristic of many religions throughout time and geography. In Christianity, it is a Christian sacrament of initiation and adoption, almost inv ...
,
public ministry,
crucifixion
Crucifixion is a method of capital punishment in which the victim is tied or nailed to a large wooden cross or beam and left to hang until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation. It was used as a punishment by the Persians, Carthagin ...
, death,
resurrection
Resurrection or anastasis is the concept of coming back to life after death. In a number of religions, a dying-and-rising god is a deity which dies and is resurrected. Reincarnation is a similar process hypothesized by other religions, which ...
,
ascension and
second coming
The Second Coming (sometimes called the Second Advent or the Parousia) is a Christian (as well as Islamic and Baha'i) belief that Jesus will return again after his ascension to heaven about two thousand years ago. The idea is based on messi ...
of Christ. The overarching theme for Sunday is celebrating the
Resurrection of Christ
The resurrection of Jesus ( grc-x-biblical, ἀνάστασις τοῦ Ἰησοῦ) is the Christian belief that God raised Jesus on the third day after his crucifixion, starting – or restoring – his exalted life as Christ and Lord. ...
. The themes for the remaining days of the week are as follows.
*Monday and Tuesday –
Repentance
Repentance is reviewing one's actions and feeling contrition or regret for past wrongs, which is accompanied by commitment to and actual actions that show and prove a change for the better.
In modern times, it is generally seen as involving a co ...
*Wednesday – The
Theotokos
''Theotokos'' (Greek: ) is a title of Mary, mother of Jesus, used especially in Eastern Christianity. The usual Latin translations are ''Dei Genitrix'' or ''Deipara'' (approximately "parent (fem.) of God"). Familiar English translations are " ...
*Thursday – The Holy
Apostles
An apostle (), in its literal sense, is an emissary, from Ancient Greek ἀπόστολος (''apóstolos''), literally "one who is sent off", from the verb ἀποστέλλειν (''apostéllein''), "to send off". The purpose of such sending ...
,
Saint
In religious belief, a saint is a person who is recognized as having an exceptional degree of Q-D-Š, holiness, likeness, or closeness to God. However, the use of the term ''saint'' depends on the context and Christian denomination, denominat ...
s
*Friday – The
Holy Cross,
Martyr
A martyr (, ''mártys'', "witness", or , ''marturia'', stem , ''martyr-'') is someone who suffers persecution and death for advocating, renouncing, or refusing to renounce or advocate, a religious belief or other cause as demanded by an externa ...
s,
Confessors
*Saturday – The
Faithful Departed
Usage
Worshipers pray the Shehimo at seven
fixed prayer times
Fixed prayer times, praying at dedicated times during the day, are common practice in major world religions such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Judaism
Jewish law requires Jews to pray thrice a day; the morning prayer is known as Shachari ...
everyday, corresponding to the number of
canonical hours
In the practice of Christianity, canonical hours mark the divisions of the day in terms of fixed times of prayer at regular intervals. A book of hours, chiefly a breviary, normally contains a version of, or selection from, such prayers.
In ...
in the breviary. They pray while facing the
eastward direction; towards an altar or
Iconostasis
In Eastern Christianity, an iconostasis ( gr, εἰκονοστάσιον) is a wall of icons and religious paintings, separating the nave from the sanctuary in a Church (building), church. ''Iconostasis'' also refers to a portable icon stand t ...
. This tradition is derived from the book of in the
Bible
The Bible (from Koine Greek , , 'the books') is a collection of religious texts or scriptures that are held to be sacred in Christianity, Judaism, Samaritanism, and many other religions. The Bible is an anthologya compilation of texts of a ...
.
The vast majority of the people who use the Shehimo books have learned the songs and prayers of the Shehimo at an early age, from their church life and daily family prayers at home. Before beginning each hour of Shehimo prayers, one must wash their hands and face in order to be clean before and present their best to God; and their
shoes are removed in order to acknowledge that one is offering prayer before a holy God.
In this Christian tradition, and in many others as well, it is customary for women to wear a
head covering
Headgear, headwear, or headdress is the name given to any element of clothing which is worn on one's head, including hats, helmets, turbans and many other types. Headgear is worn for many purposes, including protection against the elements, de ...
or shawl when praying.
The offices used in the Shehimo, with the exception of Sunday and major feast days (Christmas, Easter, etc.) all involve
prostrating; prostrations are done
thrice during the Qaumo prayer, at the words "Crucified for us, Have mercy on us!",
thrice during the recitation of the
Nicene Creed
The original Nicene Creed (; grc-gre, Σύμβολον τῆς Νικαίας; la, Symbolum Nicaenum) was first adopted at the First Council of Nicaea in 325. In 381, it was amended at the First Council of Constantinople. The amended form is a ...
at the words "And was incarnate of the Holy Spirit...", "And was crucified for us...", & "And on the third day rose again...", as well as
thrice during the Prayer of the Cherubim during "Blessed is the glory of the Lord, from His place forever!"
Members of the
Mar Thoma Syrian Church
The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church, often shortened to Mar Thoma Church, and known also as the Reformed Syrian ChurchS. N. Sadasivan. A Social History of India'. APH Publishing; 2000. . p. 442. and the Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar ...
(Reformed Syrians), pray the Shehimo seven times a day, omitting the
Hail Mary
The Hail Mary ( la, Ave Maria) is a traditional Christian prayer addressing Mary, the mother of Jesus. The prayer is based on two biblical passages featured in the Gospel of Luke: the Angel Gabriel's visit to Mary (the Annunciation) and Mary's ...
prayer and intercession to saints, veneratory prayers are regarded optional and said following the recitation of the Qaumo.
Incense is offered by the priest or a bishop (if present) into a censor which is swung by either a priest or deacon. When incense is offered inside of the church, the veil is opened and the altar, icons, relics, church and people are censed. Incense is offered during the Promion, Etro, Gospel and Quqlions. The practice of offering burnt incense comes from the Bible; in Exodus where God instructs Moses to build an altar and burn incense there.
Exodus 30: 1-8 "Now you shall make an altar of incense of incorruptible wood. You shall make it a
cubit in length and a cubit in width—it shall be square—and two cubits shall be its
height. Its horns shall be of one piece with it. You shall overlay its grating, its sides all
around, and its horns with pure gold; and you shall make for it a rim of gold all around. Two
gold rings you shall make for it under the molded rim on both its sides. You shall place them
on its two sides, and they will be holders for the poles with which to bear it. You shall make
the poles of incorruptible wood and overlay them with gold. You shall put it before the veil
that is before the ark of the testimonies, where I will make Myself known to you. Aaron
shall burn on it fine compounded incense every morning; when he tends the lamps, he shall
burn incense on it. When Aaron lights the lamps in the evening, he shall burn incense on it,
a perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations."
During the season of
Great Lent
Great Lent, or the Great Fast, (Greek: Μεγάλη Τεσσαρακοστή or Μεγάλη Νηστεία, meaning "Great 40 Days," and "Great Fast," respectively) is the most important fasting season of the church year within many denominat ...
in the
Christian calendar
The Gregorian calendar is the calendar used in most parts of the world. It was introduced in October 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII as a modification of, and replacement for, the Julian calendar. The principal change was to space leap years dif ...
, forty prostrations are done daily after the completion of 6th Hour (Sheth sho`in).
The Shehimo book is available for purchase on the official LRD website. The book is also accessible online using the free LRD mobile app for the App Store and Google Play Store.
Structure
![Monks praying at the Syriac Orthodox monastery of Saint Matthew overlooking the Nineveh Plains](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/Monks_praying_at_the_Syriac_Orthodox_monastery_of_Saint_Matthew_overlooking_the_Nineveh_Plains.jpg)
The hours of each day follows a similar theme or pattern. For example, the Soutoro of each day has a theme of repentance. During the Watches of Lilio, the first qaumo commemorates the Mother of God, second qaumo the saints, third qaumo varies on the day, and the fourth qaumo is a general theme. The theme of Tloth sho`in is reflective of the theme of the day. The prayers of Sheth sho`in commemorates the Mother of God, the saints and the faithful departed. The prayers of Tsha' sho`in always commemorates the faithful departed.
Each office or hour begins with the reciting of the Qaumo or
Trisagion ("Thrice Holy"). Then followed by that is the Introductory prayer. To end each of the hours of worship there is again a Qaumo with the exception of at the end of Soutoro where th
Praise of the Cherubimis used. Additional all of terminal offices ends with the
Nicene Creed
The original Nicene Creed (; grc-gre, Σύμβολον τῆς Νικαίας; la, Symbolum Nicaenum) was first adopted at the First Council of Nicaea in 325. In 381, it was amended at the First Council of Constantinople. The amended form is a ...
.
Eight Modal System
![Severus](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/Severus.jpg)
In the
West Syriac Orthodox Tradition, there are originally
8 modes for singing, in Malayalam they are referred to as "Nirams", and in West Syriac as "T'mone Rekne". The 8 modes correspond to the 7 days of the week. This system has fallen out of practice in Malankara in favor of easy to remember and catchy
Contemporary Christian melodies.
It is uncertain when or where the
octoechos
Oktōēchos (here transcribed "Octoechos"; Greek: ;The feminine form exists as well, but means the book octoechos. from ὀκτώ "eight" and ἦχος "sound, mode" called echos; Slavonic: Осмогласие, ''Osmoglasie'' from о́см ...
originated, but many credit the theologian
St. Severios of Antioch. The different days, themes and tones for the fixed hours are included below. (Please note R = Ramsho. S = Soutoro and M = Sapro).
![Dormition of Saint Ephraim the Syrian (Cretan, 15th c](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/92/Dormition_of_Saint_Ephraim_the_Syrian_%28Cretan%2C_15th_c.%2C_Byzantine_museum%29.jpg)
The rekne' for each Sunday is found in the
Beth Gazo Beth Gazo ( ; literary "the house of treasure") is a Syriac liturgical book that contains a collection of Syriac chants and melodies. The book is considered a reference of Syriac Hymnody and without it clerics belonging to the West Syriac Traditi ...
. For the remaining four hours, the "''Two Rekne' Per Week''" system is followed. When using the two rekne' alternating system, if the week starts with rekno' 1 on the first day (Sunday) it will follow with rekno' 5 on the second day (Monday). The week will continue alternating between rekne' 1 and 5 until the next Sunday. The following week on Sunday, rekno' 2 will be used with rekno' 6 alternating. An 8-week model has been included below. (Please note the system may vary or reset depending on certain feast days occurring during the week.
It is a custom to seek the intercessions of the Mother of God and all the saints and to pray for the faithful departed while praying the Shehimo. These are done through the Quqlions (Greek) in English they are called "cycles". When sung, all of the Quqlions follow the same structure. The Pethgomo' (word or verse), Eqbo (foot or base), Qolo (song) and Bo'utho (petition). The Quqlions, respected Pethgomo', the Psalm excerpt and general rekno' are listed below. (Please note syr = Syriac. mal = Malayalam. eng = English).
See also
*
Agpeya
The ''Agpeya'' (Coptic: Ϯⲁⲅⲡⲓⲁ, ar, أجبية) is the Coptic Christian "Prayer Book of the Hours" or breviary, and is equivalent to the Shehimo in the Indian Orthodox Church (another Oriental Orthodox Christian denomination), as we ...
*
List of Christian devotional literature
Christian devotional literature (also called devotionals or Christian living literature) is religious writing that Christianity, Christian individuals read for their personal growth and spiritual formation.
Popular devotionals Books
*''Conference ...
*
Syriac Orthodox Church
, native_name_lang = syc
, image = St_George_Syriac_orthodox_church_in_Damascus.jpg
, imagewidth = 250
, alt = Cathedral of Saint George
, caption = Cathedral of Saint George, Damascus ...
*
Malankara Orthodox Diocese of Southwest America
The Malankara Orthodox Diocese of Southwest America, sometimes referred to as the Southwest Diocese or DS-WA is a diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The diocesan headquarters are located in Beasley, Texas a suburban city in Texas ...
References
External links
Liturgical Resource Development - Shehimo and Holy QurbanakramamShehimo Recordings - St. Thomas Indian Orthodox ChurchLiturgical Resource Development Ministry - Shehimo
{{Oriental Orthodoxy footer
Breviaries
Christian prayer books
Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
Oriental Orthodoxy in India