Ramsha[1] (Classical Syriac:ܪܡܫܐ) is theAramaic andEast Syriac Rite term for the evening Christianliturgy followed as a part of theseven canonical hours or Divine Office, roughly equivalent toVespers inWestern Christianity. It's also calledRamsho in theWest Syriac Rite. It is used in the Syriac churches of the East Syriac tradition, including theAssyrian Church of the East of Iraq, theAncient Church of the East of Iraq, theEast SyriacSaint Thomas Christians of theMalabar coast, Kerala,India (Syro Malabar Catholic Church andChaldean Syrian Church), and theChaldean Catholic Church of Iraq. The Chaldean Catholic and Syro-Malabar Churches are allEastern Catholic churches in full communion with theCatholic Church.[2]
In the East Syriac tradition, a liturgical day begins with the Ramsha during evening at 6:00 pm which draws direct reference fromGenesis 1:5.[3] TheSecond Vatican Council made it clear that the canonical hours, referred to as the "Liturgy of the Hours" within the new form of theRoman Rite, are the official prayers of the Catholic Church along with the celebration of theEucharist, which is done in theHoly Qurbana or Qurbono in the Syriac tradition.[4]
The Shehima, the Divine Prayers, Divine Office, Liturgy of the Hours, or canonical hours are all regular terms for the liturgy Ramsha is a part of. In accordance with the Jewish tradition, the following are theseven times of prayer in the Syriac Churches:
| East Syriac name | English name | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Ramsha | Vespers or Evening Liturgy | 6 pm |
| Suba-a | Compline | 9 pm |
| Lelya | Midnight Liturgy | 12 am |
| Qala d Shahra | Vigil Liturgy | 3 am |
| Sapra | Matins/Morning Liturgy | 6 am |
| Quta'a | 3rd Hour | 9 am |
| Endana[5][6] | 6th Hour | 12 pm |
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