Vespers

Vespers. The evening service of both the E. and W. Church and one of the oldest parts of the Divine Office (q.v.). In its present form in the W. Church, a hymn is followed by two Psalms, a NT canticle, a short Bible reading, a responsory, the Magnificat with antiphon, prayers, and a blessing. Vespers, with Lauds, is the most important of the Day Offices and is often chanted with solemnity. The service of Evensong in the BCP was partly formed on the model of Vespers, with additions from Compline. In the E. Church the central point of Vespers (‘Hesperinos’) is the singing of the Phos Hilaron. This is preceded by Psalms, litanies and troparia, and is followed by Bible readings (on feast days and in Lent), more litanies, prayers and troparia, and the Nunc Dimittis.