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'''Matins'''(also spelled "Mattins", from the Latin, ''matutinae'', "morning"), ''in Greek, '''Orthros'''''(which also means "morning"), is the longest and most complex of the [[Daily Cycle|daily cycle]] services. Unless it is celebrated as a [[vigil]] in the evening, orthros (Greek for "early dawn" or "daybreak") is celebrated in the morning.
==General Structure of Sunday Matins==
While some sections of Orthros Matins follow the eight-tone cycle, others follow the eleven-part cycle of the Resurrectional Gospels.
*Sunday Matins, when served appart from a [[All-Night Vigil|vigil]] opens with the [[priest]]'s exclamation ''Blessed is our God ...'', ''Heavenly King ...'', and the [[Trisagion Prayers]]. (Note: ''Heavenly King ...'' is omitted between Pascha and [[Pentecost]].)
*The [[Dismissal]]. (According to contemporary Greek Parish practice, the Great Doxology leads straight into the beginning of the [[Liturgy]]).
==Orthros Matins Services==
There are seven types of OrthrosMatins:
===Basic Forms===
*'''''Sunday OrthrosMatins:''''' the longest of the regular orthros matins services. If this service is celebrated in its entirety it can last up to three hours. It usually contains three a combination of [[canon]]staken from the [[Octoechos]], [[Menaion]], apart from any additional festal canons which may be added[[Triodion]], and/or [[Pentecostarion]]. As a result, in most practical situationsparishes, abbreviations are often made. Often, this Orthros matins is part of a vigil(particularly in Slavic practice).
*'''''Daily OrthrosMatins:''''' there is no [[Gospel]].
*'''''Feast-day OrthrosMatins''''' with Gospel.
===Special Forms===
*'''''Lenten OrthrosMatins:''''' penitential material added (hymns and prayers).
*'''''Great and Holy Friday OrthrosBridegroom Matins:''''' there are twelve Gospel lessons; [[Antiphon]]s are used (originating in a different officeserved on Great and Holy Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday). The [[troparion]] sung at the 15th antiphon: ''Today is hung upon the cross...'' (Simeron krematai).
*'''''Great and Holy Saturday OrthrosFriday Matins:'''''. there are twelve Gospel lessons; This contains some elements of the old cathedral office: procession with [[epitaphios]], reading of three [[pericopeAntiphon]]s are used (originating in a different office). The [[Old Testament|OTtroparion]], [[epistle]], Gospel) sung at the end15th antiphon: ''Today is hung upon the cross...'' (Simeron krematai).
*'''''Great and Holy Saturday Matins'''''. This contains some elements of the old cathedral office: procession with [[epitaphios]], reading of three [[pericope]]s ([[Old Testament|OT]], [[epistle]], Gospel) at the end. *'''''Paschal OrthrosMatins'''''. This is celebrated from Pascha Sunday until Thomas Sunday. The six [[psalms]] and the [[praise]]s are not part of this service.
==Sources==