Orthros (Matins)
JEFFREY B. PETTIS
The Greek word orthros translates as “dawn” or “early morning.” In early Christian usage it referred to early morning prayer, or (as in monastic usage) dawn prayers after the night vigil (see Basil of
Caesarea, regulae fusius tractatae 37.3, 5 [PG.31.1013A,1016B]). After the 4th century the word came to designate the early morning service of psalms and canticles (a parallel to the western monastic services of Matins and Lauds) as one of the regular hours of Byzantine monastic prayer, in the sequence of Vespers, Compline, Midnight Office, Orthros, First, Third, Sixth, and Ninth Hours. In Greek practice Orthros is conducted by itself, or as the immediate prelude to the divine liturgy. In parishes it occurs chiefly on Sundays before the liturgy. In Russian practice it is often combined with preceding Sunday Vespers (on Saturday evening) as the Vigil Service. Orthros begins with the Trisagion prayers and the reading of the Six Psalms (Hexapsalmoi), and includes litanies alternating with hymns (especially in the form of canons) and recitations of appointed sections (kathismata) of the Psalter. In parish practice the psalm readings are much abbreviated. The service culminates with the reading of a resurrection gospel. If not followed by the liturgy, Orthros ends with the small doxology; if the liturgy follows the great doxology is used.
SEE ALSO: Canon (Liturgical); Eothina; Hexapsalmoi; Kathisma; Kontakion; Ode
REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED READINGS
Litsas, F. (1984) A Companion to the Greek Orthodox Church. New York: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. Patrinacos, N. E. (1984) A Dictionary of Greek Ortho-doxy. Pleasantville, NY: Hellenic Heritage Publications.
Taft, R. (2004) The Liturgy of the Hours in East and West. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press.