Wczesnochrześcijańskie elementy poprzedzające Officium Divinum

Abstract

The article discusses the issue of the early Christian elements preceding the Divine Office, i.e. its main aim is to point out some of the prayer forms included later in the structure of the Liturgy of the Hours. The prayer of the first witnesses of Christ followed the example of their Lord Jesus Christ – the Mediator between God and his people and His commandment: Pray without ceasing. Thus the Christians have always prayed in the name of all and for the good of all. The custom of reciting prayers at fixed hours can be traced to different religions and cultures. Christians probably were in the most part influenced by the Jewish tradition, but some elements of Greek and Roman origin have also found their way to penetrate the structure of Christian prayer; in the ages to follow the elements of different rites in the East and West have contributed to the Divinum Officium as well. It is important to realize that the present elements composing the Divine Office find their roots in those primate forms because it shows the continuity and integrity of the Church’s prayer flowing through the different places and times. It also shows the Church’s fidelity to Her Master’s words and intentions.