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Prokimenon

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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Prokopovitch, Teophan

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(προκειμένον , something that lies before) is, in the Greek liturgy, the short anthem pronounced previous to the reading of the epistle from the Holy Scriptures. consisting of verse and response usually taken from the Psalms. The purpose is to give a hint as to the way in which the day ought to be celebrated. Such phrases are, for instance, "Praise ye the Lord." "Give ear to my prayer, O Lord," "‘ Thy mercy, O Lord," "God help me through thy name," "My help comes from the Lord," "O Lord, thou art my protector." Previous to the calling-out of the prokimenon the deacon exclaims, "Let us listen!" — Wetzer u. Welte, Kirchen-Lex. s.v.