Mesonyktikon

JOHN A. MCGUCKIN

Greek term meaning “Middle of the Night.” It signifies the Midnight Office of monastic prayers that takes place in sequence after Compline. In ancient times it was a service of all-night vigil composed of psalms and long meditations. The monks used to spend the greater part of the night praying, with sleeping time being reserved for the heat of the day. In contemporary Orthodox usage the ser­vice is a shorter one, reminiscent of ele­ments of Compline (Apodeipnon), recited immediately before Matins (Orthros). It begins with the Trisagion Prayers and Psalm 50, and then on Sundays and Feast days continues with a Canon to the Trinity (by Metrophanes of Smyrna) and the Triadika Megalynaria (solemn Trinitarian Praises). The service ends with a Litany, a Short Dismissal, and a final Litany of Intercession. On weekdays Psalm 118 (the Amomos) is added after Psalm 50, and there are also recitations of patristic prayers from St. Mardarios and St. Basil the Great. The theme predominating is that of “keeping watch” (the appointed troparion is “Behold the Bridegroom is Coming!”) and the commemoration of the faithful departed.