Pentekostarion

SOTIRIOS A. VLAVIANOS

The Pentekostarion (meaning “the book of the fifty days”), alternatively known as the “Flowery Triodion” (still known as such in the Slavonic tradition), is the continuation of the Lenten Triodion book of liturgical texts. It contains the chanting and reading materials used in the services of the fifty- day season of Pentecost. The Pentecost season begins with Orthros (Matins) on Easter Sunday and lasts up until the Sunday of All Saints, following Pentecost Sunday. It has its roots in the Triodion, but by the 14th century it had evolved into a new book with its new name. Its initial version comprised short canons (triodia) that were gradually eliminated after the 14th century. The chanted material related to the saints (Synaxaria) of the Sundays and Feast- days, as composed by Nikiforos Kallistos Xanthopoulos, was also eventually incorpo­rated into the Pentekostarion as it now stands. It is a book rich in theological con­tent and spiritual teaching.

SEE ALSO: Canon (Liturgical); Feasts; Great Week; Horologion; Liturgical Books; Menaion; Paraklitike; Pentecost, Feast of; Res­urrection; Triodion

REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED READINGS

Schmemann, A. (2003) Introduction to Liturgical Theology. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press.

Taft, R. F. (1992) The Byzantine Rite: A Short

History. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press.

Taft, R. F. (1997) Beyond East and West: Problems in

Liturgical Understanding, 2nd edn. Rome:

Pontifical Oriental Institute.