Triodion

SOTIRIOS A. VLAVIANOS

The Triodion (Greek: Τριωδιον, “book of the three odes”) is a liturgical book that contains service material from the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee (tenth Sunday before Easter) up until the night of Great Saturday. The name of this lengthy liturgical season (encompassing Great Lent) is both taken from and identified with this book. The title Triodion refers to short canons with only three odes which are sung at Orthros (Matins) on the weekdays of Great Lent. The book evolved around the 9th century and was largely the work of Studite monks from Constantinople. Currently, the texts found in the Triodion reflect the liturgical tradition of Jerusalem from various time periods: some early, some later. The Triodion used to be divided into two parts, the Lenten Triodion and the Festal Triodion. The Festal Triodion covered the liturgical cycle beginning on Easter up to the Sunday of All Saints. Eventually, the latter was incorporated into the Pentekostarion around the 14th century, when it then had its short canons (triodia) eliminated.

SEE ALSO: Canon (Liturgical); Great Week; Ode; Oktoechos; Paraklitike; Pentekostarion

REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED READINGS

Savas, S. J. (1983) The Treasury of Orthodox Hymnology – Triodion: An Historical and Hymnographic Examination. Minneapolis: Light and Life Publications.

Schmemann,A. (1974) Great Lent: Journey to Pascha.

Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press. Taft, R. F. (1985) The Liturgy of the Hours in East and West: The Origins of the Divine Office and its Meaning for Today. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press.