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Liturgy of the Hours

Divine Praises Clock

The Syro-Malabar Church divides the day into 7 canonical hours (Yama Prarthana), an ancient tradition of sanctifying time through unceasing prayer.

In the Eastern tradition, the liturgical day begins at 6:00 PM with the Evening Liturgy (Ramsha).

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Ramsha

റംശാ
(Ramšā)
6 PM - 9 PM First Watch

Evening Liturgy. The liturgical day begins here, marking the start of a new day in the Church calendar.

Latin Equivalent: Vespers
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Shuba'a

ശൂബാഅ
(Šubā'ā)
9 PM - 12 AM Second Watch

Liturgy after Supper. A time of Thanksgiving and preparation for rest under God's protection.

Latin Equivalent: Compline
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Lelya

ലെലിയാ
(Lelyā)
12 AM - 3 AM Third Watch

Night Liturgy. A quiet watch in the deep night, awaiting the Lord and meditating on His word.

Latin Equivalent: Nocturnes
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Qala D'Shahra

വെളുപ്പാൻകാല ജപം
(Qāla d-šahrā)
3 AM - 6 AM Fourth Watch

Vigil Liturgy. The prayer of the dawn, anticipating the rising of Christ, the Light of the World.

Latin Equivalent: Vigil
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Sapra

സപ്രാ (പ്രഭാത ജപം)
(Ṣaprā)
6 AM - 9 AM 1st Hour

Morning Liturgy. Giving thanks for the new day and dedicating the day's work to the Lord.

Latin Equivalent: Matins
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Quta'a

മൂന്നാം മണി ജപം
(Qutā'ā)
9 AM - 12 PM 3rd Hour

Third Hour Liturgy. Commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles at Pentecost.

Latin Equivalent: Terce
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Endana

എൻദാനാ
('Endānā)
12 PM - 3 PM 6th Hour

Noon Liturgy. Remembers Christ's crucifixion and His supreme sacrifice for humanity on the cross.

Latin Equivalent: Sext
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D'Batsha Shayin

ഒമ്പതാം മണി ജപം
(d-Bātša Šāyin)
3 PM - 6 PM 9th Hour

Ninth Hour Liturgy. Commemorates the death of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Latin Equivalent: None
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What is the Syro-Malabar Liturgy of the Hours (Yama Prarthana)?

The Liturgy of the Hours (യാമപ്രാർത്ഥനകൾ - Yama Prarthana) is the official set of prayers marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. Rooted in ancient Eastern Syriac traditions, the Syro-Malabar Church divides a single day into seven distinct canonical hours, following the Biblical tradition of praying seven times a day (Psalm 119:164).

The 7 Canonical Hours

Unlike the modern calendar, the liturgical day in the Eastern Church begins in the evening. Therefore, the first prayer of the day is Ramsha (Evening Liturgy/Vespers), followed by Shuba'a (Compline) and Lelya (Night Liturgy/Nocturnes). As dawn approaches, the faithful pray Qala D'Shahra (Vigil), welcoming the sunrise with Sapra (Morning Liturgy/Matins). The daytime hours are sanctified with Quta'a (Third Hour) and Endana (Sixth Hour/Noon).

Finding complete, authentic Malayalam text for the Syro-Malabar Yama Prarthana online has historically been difficult. Vachanapetty provides this rare, digitized Divine Praises Clock to help the faithful pray the Liturgy of the Hours anywhere, exactly according to the liturgical time.