Süryani Kadim Kilisesinde Namaz

<jats:p>Prayer (Slutho) in the Syriac Orthodox Church The Syriac Orthodox Church is a community that adopted Christianity from the early periods and occupies a distinctive position within Eastern Christianity through its liturgical tradition, monastic life, and the use of Syriac as a liturgical language. In Turkish academic literature, the Syriac Orthodox tradition has generally been examined in terms of history, identity, ecclesiastical organization, and general religious life, while studies focusing specifically on the prayer (slutho) remain limited. This book aims to examine the prayer (slutho) in the Syriac Orthodox Church through its conceptual, historical, and ritual dimensions. The research is designed within a qualitative framework. Using a historical-descriptive method and document analysis, Syriac prayer and liturgical books, as well as official church texts, were analyzed. In addition, passages related to prayer and worship in the Holy Bible were examined together with the slutho tradition. The findings indicate that the Syriac term slutho encompasses the meanings of both prayer and formal ritual worship. Slutho is defined as a holistic form of worship that combines verbal supplication with bodily practices such as standing, prostration, and making the sign of the cross. The seven-times-daily prayer cycle, based on the verse Seven times a day I praise You (Psalm 119:164), is preserved in the official tradition of the Church; however, processes of modernization, urbanization, and diaspora have led to a reduction of prayer times among the laity to three or even two times a day. The preservation of Syriac as the liturgical language stands out as a fundamental element for theological continuity, while translations into local languages enhance congregational participation and comprehension. Despite historical transformations, slutho has largely maintained its theological framework and ritual structure. As a central act of worship that nurtures individual piety and strengthens communal consciousness, it continues to play a decisive role in shaping Syriac Orthodox identity. Keywords: Syriac, Slutho, Prayer, Syriac Orthodox Church, Daily Worship, Prayer Times.</jats:p>