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Shehimo (, ; English language: Book of Common Prayer, also spelled Sh'himo) is the West Syriac Christian breviary of the Syriac Orthodox Church and the West Syriac Saint Thomas Christians of India (Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, Marthoma Syrian Church and Thozhiyur Church) that contains the seven canonical hours of prayer. (2020). 9781734600902, Silvanos Charitable Society. ISBN 9781734600902 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 Qurobo. The practice of praying during the canonical hours has its roots taken from , in which the prophet David prays to God seven times a day. The Shehimo breviary can be prayed either by reading or Gregorian chant the prose or singing the verses. The different versions of the breviary are available in Syriac language, Malayalam, Indian English, among other languages.
| + Canonical hours in Syriac and English |
| 6 pm |
| 9 pm |
| 12 am, more commonly right before Morning |
| 6 am |
| 9 am |
| 12 pm |
| 3 pm |
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 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 1 thrice during the Qaumo prayer, at the words "Crucified for us, Have mercy on us!", 2 thrice during the recitation of the Nicene Creed 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 3 thrice during the Prayer of the Cherubim during "Blessed is the glory of the Lord, from His place forever!" (2026). 9780754606185, Ashgate. ISBN 9780754606185
Members of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church (Reformed Syrians), pray the Shehimo seven times a day, omitting the Hail Mary 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.
During the season of Great Lent in the Christian calendar, 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.
Each office or hour begins with the reciting of the Qaumo or Trisagion 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 the Praise of the Cherubim is used. Additional all of terminal offices ends with the Nicene Creed.
The rekne' for each Sunday is found in the Beth Gazo. 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.
| + Two Rekne' Per Week System | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 |
| Rekno' 1 Rekno' 5 | Rekno' 2 Rekno' 6 | Rekno' 3
Rekno' 7 | Rekno' 4 Rekno' 8 | Rekno' 5 Rekno' 1 | Rekno' 6 Rekno' 2 | Rekno' 7 Rekno' 3 | Rekno' 8 Rekno' 4 |
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