A breviary () is a liturgical book used in Christianity for Christian prayer the canonical hours, usually recited at seven fixed prayer times.
Historically, different breviaries were used in the various parts of Christendom, such as Aberdeen Breviary, Belleville Breviary, Stowe Breviary and Isabella Breviary, although eventually the Roman Breviary became the standard within the Roman Catholic Church (though it was later supplanted with the Liturgy of the Hours); in other Christian denominations such as the , different breviaries continue to be used, such as The Brotherhood Prayer Book.
In the Catholic Church, Pope Nicholas III approved a Franciscan breviary, for use in that religious order, and this was the first text that bore the title of breviary. The ancient breviary of the Bridgettines had been in use for more than 125 years before the Council of Trent and so was exempt from the Constitution of Pope Pius V which abolished the use of breviaries differing from that of Rome.The Tablet, 29 May 1897, page 27. In 2015, The Syon Breviary of the Bridgettines was published for the first time in English (from Latin). This was done in celebration of the 600th anniversary of Syon Monastery, founded in 1415 by King Henry V.
In Lutheranism, various traditional breviaries enjoy usage, such as the Evangelical Lutheran Breviary, The Brotherhood Prayer Book, and Oremus: a Lutheran Breviary. The Neuendettelsau religious institute uses a breviary unique to the order. , among many other breviaries such as The Daily Office: Matins and Vespers, Based on Traditional Liturgical Patterns, with Scripture Readings, Hymns, Canticles, Litanies, Collects, and the Psalter, Designed for Private Devotion or Group Worship, are popular in Evangelical Lutheran usage as well.
Following the Oxford Movement in the Anglican Communion, in 1916, the Anglican Breviary was published by the Frank Gavin Liturgical Foundation.
In Oriental Orthodox Christianity, the canonical hours of the Syriac Orthodox Church and the Indian Orthodox Church are contained within the Shehimo breviary;
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Divine Office is found in the Horologion, which consists of eight canonical hours: Vespers (sunset), Compline (before sleep), Midnight Office, Orthros (sunrise), 1st hour (07:00), 3rd hour (09:00), 6th hour (12:00), and 9th hour (15:00).
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