Typika
The Typika (gr. τυπικα ; sl. Обедница (Obednitsa or Obednitza) or Изобразительны) is a brief service that is appointed by the Typikon for certain occasions but may also be conducted when a priest or bishop is not present. There are various modifications that are made to this service to incorporate elements from the Divine Liturgy, some of which are designed to be led by laymen; and in some jurisdictions, it can also be a service led by a deacon which includes the distribution of Holy Communion. When held in a church, the doors of the iconostasis remain closed and the service is conducted in the nave.
| Services of the Orthodox Church |
| Eucharist: Divine Liturgy | When the Eucharist cannot be served: Typika |
| Daily Cycle (Divine Office) |
| Vespers | Compline | Midnight Office | Matins |
| Little Hours (Prime,Terce,Sext,None) | Royal Hours | Mesorion |
| Other Services |
| Akathist Hymn | Paraklesis | Moleben |
| Great Blessing of Water | Artoklasia |
| Baptism-Chrismation Service | Holy Unction |
| Ordination Service | Marriage Service |
| Funeral Service | Memorial Service |
Contents
Description
When there is no Liturgy, or only a Vesperal Liturgy
According to the Typikon, the Typika is appointed on those days when either there is no liturgy at all, or there is only a Vesperal Liturgy. The Typika follows the Ninth Hour and contains the Typical Psalms (Psalms 102 and 145) and the Beatitudes that would otherwise have been done as part of the three antiphons of the Liturgy of the Catechumens. The text for this type of service can usually be found in the various Liturgika and Horologia.
Reader's Typika
This Typika service is a specific form of service which mirrors the Divine Liturgy. It is used when a priest is not available or when a worshiper cannot get to a church. It is led by a deacon, subdeacon, reader, chanter, or the eldest experienced layperson present, in that order, unless a bishop or priest determines another leader.
Deacon's Typika
This Typika service is a form of Pre-Sanctified Liturgy held by a deacon and authorized by the local bishop when a priest is unavailable. The deacon distributes communion to the faithful present at the service. It should be noted that while this service is blessed in some jurisdictions, it is not universally accepted, nor is it of ancient origin. However, the idea of deacons bringing communion to those unable to attend the Liturgy is an ancient custom, and so it can be argued that the ancient custom provides the basis for this more recent practice.
Priest's Typika
In situations where a shortage of priests requires one priest to serve multiple communities, he will serve the Divine Liturgy in one and typika in the other(s). The Horologion published by Saint Tikhon's Monastery, there is a service of typika or obednitsa which has litanies and exclamations intercalated for this purpose.
Service texts
- Deacons Typika Service
- Readers Typika Service
- Reader's Typika according to the Old Rite Typikon
- The Hours and Typika (Russian Practice, but arranged differently than the above texts
