Please keep these lessons coming. This is the only source I've found that explains all of this clearly (though it remains ludicrously convoluted and complex!).
These are wonderful....the only thing I've run across that actually explains the Orthodox Hours clearly. I have a question on Lecture 3. Regarding the example of Feb 2, I understand the rubric to use the Menaion doxastikon. But there is no text in my Festal Menaion (same one you are using) that has that title. Rather, a text follows called "Tone 6" by John the Monk. Is that in fact the doxastikon?
Hi John - I'm familiar with the Byzantine Rite rubrics but I believe in this case they'll be the same. At "Lord I have cried" there should be 3 Stichera in 1st Mode (each sung twice to make 6 total) and then, yes, a hymn in Plagal 2nd (Tone 6) by "John the Monk" which is the Doxastikon (Glory, Both Now - there is no additional Theotokion). "John the Monk" is generally believed to be St. John of Damascus.
