The Unabbreviated Horologion or Book of the Hours (Brown Cover)

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1. They don't make 'em like they used to

   Posted by David Di Giacomo on 4th Sep 2022

   For years we have been using the long-out-of-print Horologion from St. Tikhon Seminary Press. It has some commendable features, but it is otherwise unsatisfactory in many ways. One thing which always struck me was the poor quality of the binding. It began falling apart almost as soon as we got it.
   
   Well, I recently decided to order the classic Jordanville Horologion; I have many friends who have it, and it always impressed me, not only by its content, but by its beautiful, sturdy binding and simple, yet attractive printing on quality paper.
   
   Boy, was I ever in for a disappointment.
   
   The copy I got was the 2020 printing. It says "printed in India", if that means anything. The paper is ultra-flimsy; I think we have used it for Vespers four times, and the pages are already showing quite a bit of wear & tear just from turning them. It is advertised as a "hardcover", and I guess technically it qualifies; but the cover boards are so thin you can bend it back and forth like a paperback. I think the whole book is scarcely an inch thick; to compare it with a previous printing is to be in for a shock. It is obvious that this thing is not going to last very long and very soon I will be shopping for another Horologion.
   
   I guess I should not be surprised; I recently acquired an old edition of the Jordanville Prayer Book, and was saddened to see how the quality has fallen in the more recent printings. I know people who have used the same prayer book for almost their whole life, and mine is falling apart and being held together with layers of duct tape after only five years. And now the Horologion?
   
   The printshop was founded by the holy Archbishop Vitaly Maximenko of blessed memory, for whom printing was a ministry, and dedicated to St. Job of Pochaev, who also is almost a patron saint of missionary printing. So the question is, why does Jordanville now seem intent on liquidating its own legacy? I pray that the monks come to their senses and return to producing books which are worthy of Orthodox worship.
   
   In the meantime, I advise everyone who may read this to try and get your hands on an older used copy if you can find one, even if it means forking out more money. It's worth it.

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2. I love this book of hours!

   Posted by John Weeks on 5th Jun 2022

   A phenomenal Liturgical book, beautifully bound. It has been a great addition to my Liturgical books.

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