Praying the Agpia – The Prayers of the Hours

Praying the Agpia – The Prayers of the Hours by H.H. Pope Shenouda III is a practical guide to the daily prayer of the Coptic Orthodox Church, for every Christian who wants a deeper, steadier prayer life.

The Agpia (also spelled Agpeya), or Prayer of the Hours, is the traditional Coptic Orthodox prayer book prayed through the day and night. The word comes from the Coptic for "hour", pointing to the hours of prayer Christians have kept since apostolic times. Through the First, Third, Sixth, Ninth, Eleventh and Twelfth Hours and the Midnight prayers, believers are reminded again and again of the life, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Rooted in Scripture, the Psalms and the ancient tradition of the Church, the book shows the spiritual depth and beauty of praying the Agpia. Pope Shenouda explains how it teaches repentance, thanksgiving, humility, submission, praise and constant communion with God. He also explores the biblical basis for praying the Psalms through the day, and the history of the prayer of the hours in the early Church.

Ideal for daily devotion, spiritual growth and catechism, it helps readers find in the Agpia a true school of prayer that changes the heart and draws the soul closer to God.

Book details

• Author: H.H. Pope Shenouda III
• Format: Printed book
• Pages: 118
• Published: 2021, St Shenouda Press
• ISBN: 9780645139402