Christian Church and Praise

The Church and Praise

• The church is the body of Christ, uniting all members, including the striving church on earth and the victorious church in heaven.
• Praising God is a key aspect of the church, sharing with angels and saints in glorifying God.

Importance of Praise

• Praising is the work of angels and saints, glorifying God without asking for requests.
• Praising has the power to:
  • Change evil habits and sanctify thoughts and senses.
  • Transfer Christian dogma throughout generations.
  • Fight and triumph over evil spirits.

The Midnight Praises

• Introduction to the Midnight Praises: "Ten Thino", an invitation to arise and praise the Lord of hosts.
• The Midnight Praises consist of:
  • Four canticles (Hoos): praises from the Holy Bible.
  • Lobsh: explanations of the canticles, chanted after the first and second canticles.
  • Psalmody: praises and glorifications to God.

The Canticles (Hoos)

• The First Canticle: Exodus 15, praising God for salvation and triumph over Pharaoh, representing the devil.
• The Second Canticle: Psalm 135, praising God for mercy and goodness, with the refrain "His mercy endures forever".
• The Third Canticle: Daniel 3, praising God for salvation and victory over the devil, with the story of the three young youths in the fiery furnace.
• The Fourth Canticle: Psalms 148, 149, and 150, inviting all creation and humanity to praise God.

Other Elements of the Midnight Praises

• Psali: hymns or glorifications to Jesus Christ, with two types: Adam and Batos.
• Theotokia: glorifications to St. Mary the mother of God, remembering prophecies and symbols of incarnation.
• Antiphonary (Defnar): the story of the saint of the day, sung in a hymnal tune.
• Conclusion of the Theotokias: fosters feelings of repentance, confession, and trust in God's mercy, or encourages waiting for the second coming of the Lord.