Terminology - Matins

WORSHIP – Literally, “to bow down.”  In the Christian sense worship is the adoration of God through participation in the services of the Church, the highest act of a Christian (John 4:19-24). Worship in the Orthodox Church is understood to be the highest calling of mankind, to fall down at the feet of the Almighty… Read More

ALL NIGHT VIGIL – (vsenoshchnoye bdeniye) A service of the Russian Orthodox Church that consists of Vespers, Matins, and the First Hour; in parish churches it is celebrated in the evenings before Divine Liturgy on Sundays and feasts; in monasteries the All Night Vigil sometimes follows a somewhat different format.

Matins

The second half of the All-night Vigil, Matins, is meant to remind us of the New Testament period: the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ in the world for our salvation and His glorious Resurrection. [see: Vespers for first half]

The beginning of Matins immediately reminds us of the Nativity of Christ. It begins with the doxology or glorification of the angels who appeared to the shepherds in Bethlehem: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill among men.

This is followed by the reading of the Six Psalms, selected from those by the Prophet David (3, 37, 62, 87,102 and 142) in which the sinful condition of mankind is depicted with all its weakness and temptations. The ardent expectation of mankind for their only hope, the mercy of God, is expressed here. Those praying in church should be listening with special attentiveness and reverence to these psalms.

After the Six Psalms the deacon proclaims the Great Litany. The choir follows the Litany with the loud and joyful chant of this hymn with its verses: “God is the Lord and hath appeared unto us; Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.” It is affirmed that God is Lord and has manifested Himself unto us, and He Who comes in the glory of the Lord is worthy of glorification.

ANAVATHMI – A series of short hymns, based on the Psalms of Ascents (Greek Anavathmi), nos. 119-133, which are sung at Matins on Sundays, and Feasts with a Gospel. On Sundays they are divided into three Antiphons, except for Tone Eight, which has four. They are sung immediately before the Prokeimenon. On Feasts the first… Read More

VERSES ON THE PRAISES – stikhera inserted at those places appointed by the Typikon during the chanting of the Psalms of Praise (148-150) at Matins.

Matthew 28:16-20 (1st Matins Resurrection Gospel) At that time, the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him: but some did hesitate. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in Heaven and on earth. Go… Read More

Luke 24:1-12 (4th Matins Resurrection Gospel) Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the aromatic spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the… Read More

Luke 24:12-35 (5th Matins Resurrection Gospel) At that time Peter arose, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was… Read More

Luke 24:36-53 (6th Matins Resurrection Gospel) At that time, Jesus, having risen from the dead, stood in the midst of his disciples and said to them, “Peace to you.” But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do questionings… Read More

Daniel 3: 26-56 – (Matins – Seventh Ode – A prayer of the holy three children.) The praise of the three youths putteth out the flame. Blessed art Thou, our God, and the God of our fathers. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers; and praised and glorified is Thy name for… Read More

Daniel 3: 57-88 – (Matins – Eighth Ode – The Hymn of the Holy Three Children)  Praise the Lord, ye creatures which He hath made. Praise the Lord, ye works of His, and exalt Him above all for ever. Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord: praise the Lord, and exalt Him above all… Read More

ANABATHMOI –’Hymns of Ascent’. These hymns are based on Ps. 120-134 and refer to the Church’s ascension to heaven. They are sung in Matins preceding the Prokeimenon and Gospel.

Psalm 102 (Matins, Six Psalms 5th, Typica) (Psalm 103 – Hebrew Numbering) Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all that He hath done for thee, Who is gracious unto all thine iniquities, Who healeth all thine… Read More

Psalm 118 (Midnight Office weekdays, Matins in place of Polyeleos when appointed, Burial Service (Psalm 119 – Hebrew Numbering) Blessed are the blameless in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that search out His testimonies; with their whole heart shall they seek after Him. For they that work… Read More

Psalm 135 (Matins (Polyeleos)) (Psalm 136 – Hebrew Numbering) O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods; for His mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the Lord of lords; for His mercy endureth for ever. To Him… Read More

Psalm 136 (Matins (Polyeleos, Sundays before Lent)) (Psalm 137 – Hebrew Numbering) By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and we wept when we remembered Zion. Upon the willows in the midst thereof did we hang our instruments. For there, they that had taken us captive asked us for words of song. And… Read More

Psalm 142 (Great Compline, Small Compline, Matins, Six Psalms 6th, Unction Service, Paraklesis to the Most Holy Theotokos, Lesser Blessing of Waters, Consecration of a Church) (Psalm 143 – Hebrew Numbering) O Lord, hear my prayer, give ear unto my supplication in Thy truth; hearken unto me in Thy righteousness. And enter not into judgement… Read More

Psalm 148 (Matins, Praises) Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. Praise Him, all ye His angels; praise Him, all ye His hosts. Praise Him, O sun and moon; praise Him, all ye stars and light. Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens, and thou water that art above the heavens. Let… Read More

Psalm 149 (Matins, Praises) Sing unto the Lord a new song; His praise is in the church of the saints. Let Israel be glad in Him that made him, let the sons of Sion rejoice in their King. Let them praise His name in the dance; with the timbrel and the psaltery let them chant… Read More

Psalm 150 (Matins, Praises) Praise ye God in His saints, praise Him in the firmament of His power. Praise Him for His mighty acts, praise Him according to the multitude of His greatness. Praise Him with the sound of trumpet, praise Him with the psaltery and harp. Praise Him with timbrel and dance, praise him… Read More