Exapostilarion
Encyclopedia
The Exapostilarion is a hymn or group of hymns chanted in the Eastern Orthodox
and Greek-Catholic Churches at the conclusion of the Canon
near the end of Matins. The Exapostilarion is chanted after the Little Litany
that follows the Ninth Ode of the Canon.
The term "exapostilarion" is related to the word Apostle, which itself is derived from a Greek word meaning “sent out.” It has this name because in ancient times a chanter was sent out from the choir into the center of the church to chant this hymn. The exapostilaria ask God to enlighten the minds of the faithful that they might worthily praise the Lord in the verses of the Lauds
which follow, and in the Great Doxology
.
At simple services on weekdays, especially during Great Lent
, the normal exapostilaria are replaced with the Photogogicon , "Hymn of Light." The Lenten form of the photogogica are chanted in the Tone of the Week, are of a penitential nature, and are similar in performance to the Triadica (Hymns to the Trinity) that were sung near the beginning of Matins.
On Sundays, just before the exapostilarion the Deacon leads the choir in singing “Holy is the Lord our God” three times. On Sundays, the theme of the Exapostilarion reflects the concept of the Myrrh-bearing Women
being sent to bring the Good News (Gospel) of the Resurrection of Christ to the Apostles, and is drawn from the Resurrection Gospel that was chanted before the Canon.
During Holy Week
the Exapostilarion is of great significance and is solemnly chanted in the center of the church by three singers (or by the entire choir). The Matins service on most of the Days of Holy Week is referred to as the "Bridegoom Prayer," after the theme of the Exapostilarion for those days: "I see Thy bridal chamber adorned..." (a reference to the Tomb of Christ).
At Pascha (Easter) the Exapostilarion is chanted first by the clergy and then repeated twice by the choir to a particularly joyful melody.
The Exapostilarion of Pascha. Tone 3.
Eastern Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Church, officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church and commonly referred to as the Eastern Orthodox Church, is the second largest Christian denomination in the world, with an estimated 300 million adherents mainly in the countries of Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece,...
and Greek-Catholic Churches at the conclusion of the Canon
Canon (hymnography)
A canon is a structured hymn used in a number of Eastern Orthodox services. It consists of nine odes, sometimes called canticles or songs depending on the translation, based on the Biblical canticles. Most of these are found in the Old Testament, but the final ode is taken from the Magnificat and...
near the end of Matins. The Exapostilarion is chanted after the Little Litany
Little Litany
The Little Litany or Little Ektenia or Little Synapte is a brief ektenia which is recited at various times during the liturgical worship of the Byzantine Rite, as observed by the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Greek Catholic Churches....
that follows the Ninth Ode of the Canon.
The term "exapostilarion" is related to the word Apostle, which itself is derived from a Greek word meaning “sent out.” It has this name because in ancient times a chanter was sent out from the choir into the center of the church to chant this hymn. The exapostilaria ask God to enlighten the minds of the faithful that they might worthily praise the Lord in the verses of the Lauds
Lauds
Lauds is a divine office that takes place in the early morning hours and is one of the two major hours in the Roman Catholic Liturgy of the Hours. In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, it forms part of the Office of Matins...
which follow, and in the Great Doxology
Great Doxology
The Great Doxology is an ancient hymn of praise to the Trinity which is chanted or read daily in the Eastern Orthodox and Greek-Catholic Churches.At each of these hymns, the words “Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin,” will be altered to correspond with the time of day:*At Matins:...
.
At simple services on weekdays, especially during Great Lent
Great Lent
Great Lent, or the Great Fast, is the most important fasting season in the church year in Eastern Christianity, which prepares Christians for the greatest feast of the church year, Pascha . In many ways Great Lent is similar to Lent in Western Christianity...
, the normal exapostilaria are replaced with the Photogogicon , "Hymn of Light." The Lenten form of the photogogica are chanted in the Tone of the Week, are of a penitential nature, and are similar in performance to the Triadica (Hymns to the Trinity) that were sung near the beginning of Matins.
On Sundays, just before the exapostilarion the Deacon leads the choir in singing “Holy is the Lord our God” three times. On Sundays, the theme of the Exapostilarion reflects the concept of the Myrrh-bearing Women
Myrrhbearers
In Eastern Orthodoxy the Myrrhbearers are the individuals mentioned in the New Testament who were directly involved in the burial or who discovered the empty tomb following the resurrection of Jesus...
being sent to bring the Good News (Gospel) of the Resurrection of Christ to the Apostles, and is drawn from the Resurrection Gospel that was chanted before the Canon.
During Holy Week
Holy Week
Holy Week in Christianity is the last week of Lent and the week before Easter...
the Exapostilarion is of great significance and is solemnly chanted in the center of the church by three singers (or by the entire choir). The Matins service on most of the Days of Holy Week is referred to as the "Bridegoom Prayer," after the theme of the Exapostilarion for those days: "I see Thy bridal chamber adorned..." (a reference to the Tomb of Christ).
At Pascha (Easter) the Exapostilarion is chanted first by the clergy and then repeated twice by the choir to a particularly joyful melody.
The Exapostilarion of Pascha. Tone 3.
- In the flesh Thou didst fall asleep as a mortal man, O King and Lord. Thou didst rise on the third day, raising Adam from corruption, and destroying death: O Pascha of incorruption, the Salvation of the world!