Book of Common Prayer

The Book of Common Prayer{{ref|titl}} is the prayer book of the Church of England and also the name for similar books used in other churches in the Anglican Communion. It has been through many revisions over the last few centuries. It contains the order to be followed in church services. Within the United Kingdom, it can only be printed by one of the privileged presses, as it is under perpetual Crown Copyright.

Anglican Prayer Books in Other Nations

Brief Overview of Several Prayer Books

A number of other nations have developed Anglican churches and their own revisions of the Book of Common Prayer. Several are listed here:

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The Episcopal Church in the United States of America has produced numerous prayer books since the inception of the church in 1789. Work on the first book began in 1786 and was subsequently finished and published in 1789. The preface thereto mentions that "this Church is far from intending to depart from the Church of England in any essential point of doctrine, discipline, or worship...further than local circumstances require." Further revisions to the prayer book in the United States occurred in 1892, 1928, and 1979.

Related Topics:
Episcopal Church in the United States of America - 1789 - 1786 - 1892 - 1928 - 1979

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The Anglican Church of Canada developed its first Book of Common Prayer separate from the English version in 1918. A revision thereto was published in 1962. Some supplements have been developed over the past several years to the prayer book, and the Book of Alternative Services, published in 1985, is commonly used in many parishes.

Related Topics:
Anglican Church of Canada - 1918 - 1962 - Book of Alternative Services - 1985

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The Scottish Episcopal Church has had a number of revisions to the Book of Common Prayer since it was first adapted for Scottish use in 1637. These revisions were developed simultaneously with the English book till the mid-17th century when the Scottish book departed from the English revisions. A completely new revision was finished in 1929, and several revisions to the communion service seem to have been prepared since then.

Related Topics:
Scottish Episcopal Church - First adapted - 1637 - 1929

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