Book of Common Prayer

The Book of Common Prayer is the liturgical and service book of the Anglican and Protestant Episcopal churches. Its origins go back to the 16th century in England and the Institution of a Christian Man (1537), with the first version of 1549 attributed largely to Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. This handbook for the worship service provided "common prayer" – both used in common and in a common language (English, instead of ecclesiastical Latin). The second and third editions (1552 and 1662) brought the language and doctrinal expression more in line with Protestantism. This current (1979) version is that used by the Protestant Episcopal Church. It outlines the service of worship for the Daily Office, Baptism, Eucharist, Pastoral and Episcopal services; it provides a calendar of the Church Year, with related litanies and liturgical forms; and it includes the Psalter, prayers for various occasions, the Lectionary, an Outline of the Faith, and some historical documents of the Church.

NOTE: This title is included in the Version 5 and OneTouch Libraries.