Book of Common Prayer facts for kids
The Book of Common Prayer is a very important Anglican prayer book. It's like a special guide that helps people know what to say and do during church services.
This book was first printed in 1549. This was during the time when Edward VI of England was king. It was a big deal because it was the first prayer book that had all the services for daily and Sunday worship written in English. And it put everything into one handy book!
Contents
What is the Book of Common Prayer?
The Book of Common Prayer contains many things. It has prayers, readings from the Bible, and instructions for different church services. These services include things like baptism, marriage, and funerals. It also has prayers for different times of the day and year.
Why was it created?
Before this book, church services in England were mostly in Latin. Most people didn't understand Latin. The English Reformation was happening, and people wanted to worship in their own language. The Book of Common Prayer made it possible for everyone to understand and join in the services.
Who helped make it?
A very important person named Thomas Cranmer helped create the first versions of the Book of Common Prayer. He was the Archbishop of Canterbury. He wanted to make sure the services were clear and easy for everyone to follow.
Different Versions Over Time
Over the years, the Book of Common Prayer has been updated a few times.
- 1549: The very first version.
- 1552: A slightly changed version was made.
- 1559: Another version came out when Elizabeth I of England was queen.
- 1662: This version is one of the most famous and is still used by many people today.
These changes often happened because of different kings, queens, or ideas about how church services should be. But the main idea of the book stayed the same.
Impact and Legacy
The Book of Common Prayer has had a huge impact.
- English Language: It helped shape the English language, especially in religious writing. Many famous phrases come from this book.
- Anglican Worship: It created a common way of worship for all Anglican churches. This means that Anglicans around the world often use similar prayers and services.
- Global Reach: Today, different versions of the Book of Common Prayer are used by Anglican churches all over the world, from England to the Philippines.
It's a book that connects millions of people through shared prayers and traditions.
Images for kids
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A 1760 printing of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, printed by John Baskerville
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Thomas Cranmer (1489–1556), editor and co-author of the first and second Books of Common Prayer
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Cranmer's prayer book of 1552
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Prayer book of 1559
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Laud's abortive 1637 Prayer book.
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Title page of the 1662 Prayer Book
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A Collect for 5 November in the Book of Common Prayer published in London in 1689, referring to the Gunpowder Plot and the arrival of William III.
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Edward Bouverie Pusey, a leader of the Oxford Movement.
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A collection of various editions of the Book of Common Prayer, derivatives, and associated liturgical texts from within the Anglican Communion, Catholic Church, and Western Rite Orthodoxy.
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Philippine Book of Common Prayer in the Church of Saint Mary, Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines.
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The diglotic English–Chinese Book of Common Prayer used by the Filipino–Chinese community of St Stephen's Pro-Cathedral in Manila, Philippines.
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The 1878 prayer book for the use of the Church of Ireland.
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The Revised Prayer-Book of the Reformed Spanish Church, English translation of the 1889 revised Prayer Book used in the Spanish Reformed Episcopal Church.
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The first Book of Common Prayer in Welsh published in 1567
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The 1979 Book of Common Prayer
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Anglo-Catholic Anglican Service Book (1991), a traditional-language version of the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer
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See also
In Spanish: Libro de Oración Común para niños
