Praises are one of the functions of the church

                                        It practices praises as a manifestation of the Resurrection of Christ

                                        Praising is a co-operative function between the Struggling Church and the Victorious Church

                                        Praising is the work of the Angels

                                        "Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts!" (Psalm 148:2)

                                        We share the Angels in praising God

                                        We are training our selves for our life in Heaven – Praising God

                                        The praises are the preparation for the banquet of the King, who is to come in the Liturgy

                                        Praising was practised even in the early Church

                                         "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house,                                                    they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God ..." (Acts 2:46-47)

                                        Praising is a living Sacrifice

                                        "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,                                                    acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." (Romans 12:1)

                                        Through praising, we present ourselves a living sacrifice to Christ, Who presented Himself a Sacrifice for our sins.

                                        We say in the Liturgy, "A mercy of peace, A Sacrifice of Praise"

                                        What is this "Sacrifice of Praise"

                                        "Let my prayer be set before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice." (Psalm 141:2)

                                        "… Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me." (Hebrews 10:5)

                                        We offer our sacrifice in our bodies

                                        "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips,                                                    giving thanks to His name." (Hebrews 13:15)

                                        We do not praise God alone, but rather together with the heavenly

                                        "I will praise You with my whole heart; Before the angels I will sing praises to You." (Psalm 138:1)

                                        "Praise God in all saints" (Psalm 150:1)

                                        "I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You." (Psalm 22:22)

                                                        There are four Hoses that are prayed in the Midnight Praises

                                                        There are two lovshes in the Midnight Praises – After the first and second Hoses

                                                        There are Psalies for the Feasts of Our Lord and the church Fasts

                                                        There is always one Theotokia for every day of the week

                                                        It can be for any saint or angel, or even feast

                                                        Contains a brief history and glorification of the saint of the day

                                                         "Adam Eti efoi" (While Adam was sad)

                                                        "PiVatos eta Moisees" (The bush which Moses has  seen)

The Structure of the Midnight Praises

                                        The Hymn of Tenthino (Arise O Children of the Light)

                                        The Hymn of the Resurrection -Tenav Etianactasic EmPiekristos

                                        The First Canticle (Hose) -Tote afhos

                                        Lovsh of the First Canticle (Hose) -Khen oshout

                                        The Second Canticle (Hose) -Ouonh evol emepchois

                                        Lovsh of the Second Canticle (Hose) -Marenounh

                                        The Third Canticle (Hose) -Ekecmarout epchois

                                        The Greek Psali of the Three Young Men in the fiery furnace  -Arepsalin  (O sing unto Him who was crucified)

                                        A Greek Psali also for the Three Young Men in the fiery furnace  -Tenoweh encouk   (We follow you)

                                        The Commemoration of the Saints

                                        The Doxologies

                                        The Forth Canticle (Hose) -Esmou epchois

                                        Psali for the Virgin Mary (on Sundays) -Ainahti ethve vai

                                        Psali for Our Lord Jesus -Aikoti encouk

                                        The Theotokia- Cemouti ero dikeoc

                                        The Conclusion of the Theotokias

                                        The Resurrection hymn (to be said during Holy 50 days & every Sunday until the end of Hatour) -Nim ghar