Horologion
Matins (not at a Vigil)
And we sing the Song of the Most Holy Theotokos (the Magnificat):
Choir: My soul doth magnify the Lord, * and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my
Savior.
And after each verse, the refrain:
More honorable than the Cherubim, * and beyond
compare more glorious than the Seraphim; * who without corruption gavest
birth to God the Word, * the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
For He hath looked upon the lowliness of His handmaiden; * for behold, from
henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Refrain.
For the Mighty One hath done great things to me, * and holy is His name; *
and His mercy is on them that fear Him * unto generation and generation.
Refrain.
He hath showed strength with His arm, * and He hath scattered the proud in
the imagination of their heart.
Refrain.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, * and exalted them of low degree;
* He hath filled the hungry with good things, * and the rich He hath sent empty
away.
Refrain.
He hath holpen His servant Israel * in remembrance of His mercy, * as He
spake to our fathers, * to Abraham and his seed forever.
Refrain.
After the 9th ode:
Choir: It is truly meet to bless thee, the Theotokos, ever-blessed and most
blameless, and Mother of Our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and
beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who without corruption
gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
Then a small litany, followed by the appointed exapostilaria or hymns of light.
If it is a doxology or polyeleos rank service, we complete the service from this point on according
to the festal order, as at a Vigil. Otherwise, we continue by reading the praises: