On the origin and development of the Rite of the “Twelve Troparia” in the Jerusalem tradition before the 10th century

Abstract

The article examines the daytime service of Good Friday in the ancient Jerusalem tradition. It reviews the main surviving manuscripts, as well as the relevant scholarly literature on this topic. The issue of attribution of the Great Hours is covered in detail and a conclusion is made regarding the most likely authorship of the rite itself and the text of the “Twelve Troparia”. The continuity of the modern service from the ancient Jerusalem rite is described. The meaning and structure of the “Royal” Hours are  determinedby the original content of this service as the ancient “vigil at the Cross” of Our Savior precisely at the time when He was on the Cross, from the sixth to the ninth hour. The core of the service was the singing of psalms, the reading of prophecies, the Apostle and the Gospel associated with the suffering of the Lord. Over time, Christian hymnography was added to this rite, which has reached our time, and eventually all the ancient content was quite organically inserted into the framework of the service of the hours. Good Friday, Great Hours, Royal hours, Jerusalem divine service, Pilgrimage of Egeria, Jerusalem Lectionary, Iadgari, Twelve Troparia.