Matins

 “The Six Psalms.”

At an All-Night Vigil, Matins begin immediately after the blessing of the congregation by the priest. The church is dimly illumined and the Royal Gates are closed, while the reader utters thrice the Angelic Hymn, which was sung on the night of the Nativity, before dawn: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men,” — then slowly reads six Psalms (3, 37, 62, 87, 102 and 142), in which are expressed alternately the sorrow of a soul repenting of its sins (37, 87 and 142), and hope in the mercy of God and salvation (3, 62 and 102). While the three last Psalms are read, the priest, standing before the Royal Gates secretly — i.e., inaudibly, to himself, — recites the morning prayers, as the advocate of the people before the Lord.