EXAPOSTILARION

EXAPOSTILARION – (PHOTAGOGIKON, Svetilen, lit. Hymn of Light) – A brief hymn, similar to a troparion, performed at Matins after the kanon. There are three types of Exapostilarion: resurrectional, which follow the cycle of 11 resurrectional Gospel readings and Gospel stichera; festal, which pertain to the feast being celebrated; and trinitarian, which are sung at certain Lenten services. – ‘Dispatching’ or ‘sending out’. It  deals with the sending out of the disciples and myrrh-bearing women by Christ following His resurrection.