Theos Kyrios
Encyclopedia
Theos Kyrios is a psalm response chanted near the beginning of the Matins
service in the Rite of Constantinople, observed by the Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic churches. It is based principally on Psalm 117 (Septuagint numbering), the refrain composed of verses v. 27a and 26a.
Theos Kyrios comes after the Great Ektenia
(litany) and forms an introduction to the apolytikion
(troparion
of the day), and is chanted in the tone
of the week . While the Typicon (book of rubric
s) prescribes that the verses should be chanted by the canonarch
standing in the center of the nave
, in common Slavic practice they are chanted by the deacon
standing before the icon
of Christ
on the iconostasis
; if there is no deacon, the verses are commonly read by the priest
. In the Byzantine practice the psalm verses are intoned by the psalmist (Cantor (church)
).
They then begin immediately to chant the troparia of the day and the corresponding Theotokion
.
, Theos Kyrios is replaced by Alleluia
. In some places this substitution also occurs on certain weekdays during the lesser fasting
seasons: Nativity Fast
, Dormition Fast and the Apostles' Fast
. This substitution takes place on any day when the order of services follows the Lenten format, for which reason such days are referred to as "days with Alleluia". On days with Allelua, the deacon does not normally serve, so the verses are usually chanted by the priest (according to the Typicon, the canonarch).
The order of the Lenten Alleluia is as follows:
They then begin immediately to chant the Triadicon (hymns to the Trinity
), the main text of which differs according to the tone of the week (see Octoechos (liturgy)
), and the ending of which differs according to the day of the week (see Weekly cycle).
(Greek usage: fourth plagal tone), though it may be chanted to a special funeral melody.
They then begin immediately to chant the troparia of the dead:
The same format is followed in the Panikhida (requiem service).
Matins
Matins is the early morning or night prayer service in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and Eastern Orthodox liturgies of the canonical hours. The term is also used in some Protestant denominations to describe morning services.The name "Matins" originally referred to the morning office also...
service in the Rite of Constantinople, observed by the Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic churches. It is based principally on Psalm 117 (Septuagint numbering), the refrain composed of verses v. 27a and 26a.
Theos Kyrios comes after the Great Ektenia
Ektenia
Ektenia , often called simply Litany, is a prayerful petition in the Eastern Orthodox/Eastern Catholic liturgy...
(litany) and forms an introduction to the apolytikion
Apolytikion
The Apolytikion or Dismissal Hymn is a troparion said or sung at Orthodox Christian worship services. The apolytikion summarizes the feast being celebrated that day. It is chanted at Vespers, Matins and the Divine Liturgy; and it is read at each of the Little Hours...
(troparion
Troparion
A troparion in Byzantine music and in the religious music of Eastern Orthodox Christianity is a short hymn of one stanza, or one of a series of stanzas. The word probably derives from a diminutive of the Greek tropos...
of the day), and is chanted in the tone
Octoechos
Oktōēchos is the name of the eight mode system used for the composition of religious chant in Syrian, Coptic, Byzantine, Armenian, Latin and Slavic churches since the middle ages...
of the week . While the Typicon (book of rubric
Rubric
A rubric is a word or section of text which is traditionally written or printed in red ink to highlight it. The word derives from the , meaning red ochre or red chalk, and originates in Medieval illuminated manuscripts from the 13th century or earlier...
s) prescribes that the verses should be chanted by the canonarch
Canonarch
A canonarch is a lead cantor, or reader, in Eastern Christian churches of the Byzantine tradition. The canonarch ensures that other readers chant from the correct texts and use the proper tones. The canonarch preserves the canonical order in the liturgical services through proper use of the...
standing in the center of the nave
Nave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
, in common Slavic practice they are chanted by the deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
standing before the icon
Icon
An icon is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, from Eastern Christianity and in certain Eastern Catholic churches...
of Christ
Christ
Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
on the iconostasis
Iconostasis
In Eastern Christianity an iconostasis is a wall of icons and religious paintings, separating the nave from the sanctuary in a church. Iconostasis also refers to a portable icon stand that can be placed anywhere within a church...
; if there is no deacon, the verses are commonly read by the priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
. In the Byzantine practice the psalm verses are intoned by the psalmist (Cantor (church)
Cantor (church)
A cantor is the chief singer employed in a church with responsibilities for the ecclesiastical choir; also called the precentor....
).
Text
The order of Theos Kyrios, as served at Matins is as follows:- Canonarch: In the following troparion tone: God is the Lord and hath revealed himself unto us. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
- Verse 1: O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever. (Ps. 117:1; Greek practice, Ps. 104.1: O give thanks unto the Lord, and call upon His holy name.)
- Chanters: God is the Lord and hath revealed himself unto us. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
- Canonarch (Verse 2): Surrounding me they compassed me, and by the name of the Lord I warded them off. (Ps. 117:11)
- Chanters: God is the Lord and hath revealed himself unto us. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
- Canonarch (Verse 3): I shall not die but live, and I shall tell of the works of the Lord. (Ps. 117:17)
- Chanters: God is the Lord and hath revealed himself unto us. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
- Canonarch (Verse 4): The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner. This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. (Ps. 117:22)
- Chanters: God is the Lord and hath revealed himself unto us. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
They then begin immediately to chant the troparia of the day and the corresponding Theotokion
Theotokion
A Theotokion is a hymn to Mary, the Theotokos , which is read or chanted during the Divine Services of the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches....
.
Lenten weekdays
On weekdays during Great LentGreat 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...
, Theos Kyrios is replaced by Alleluia
Alleluia
The word "Alleluia" or "Hallelujah" , which at its most literal means "Praise Yah", is used in different ways in Christian liturgies....
. In some places this substitution also occurs on certain weekdays during the lesser fasting
Fasting
Fasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time. An absolute fast is normally defined as abstinence from all food and liquid for a defined period, usually a single day , or several days. Other fasts may be only partially restrictive,...
seasons: Nativity Fast
Nativity Fast
The Nativity Fast is a period of abstinence and penance practiced by the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic Churches, in preparation for the Nativity of Christ, . The fast is similar to the Western Advent, except that it runs for 40 days instead of four weeks. The fast is...
, Dormition Fast and the Apostles' Fast
Apostles' Fast
The Apostles' Fast, also called the Fast of the Holy Apostles, the Fast of Peter and Paul, or sometimes St. Peter's Fast, is a fast observed by Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Christians...
. This substitution takes place on any day when the order of services follows the Lenten format, for which reason such days are referred to as "days with Alleluia". On days with Allelua, the deacon does not normally serve, so the verses are usually chanted by the priest (according to the Typicon, the canonarch).
The order of the Lenten Alleluia is as follows:
- Canonarch: Alleluia in the day's tone. Verse 1: Out of the night my spirit waketh at dawn unto Thee, O God, for Thy commandments are a light upon the earth.
- Chanters: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
- Canonarch (Verse 2): Learn righteousness, ye that dwell upon the earth.
- Chanters: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
- Canonarch (Verse 3): Zeal shall lay hold upon an uninstructed people.
- Chanters: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
- Canonarch (Verse 4): Add more evils upon them, O Lord, add more evils upon them that are glorious upon the earth.
- Chanters: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
They then begin immediately to chant the Triadicon (hymns to the Trinity
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
), the main text of which differs according to the tone of the week (see Octoechos (liturgy)
Octoechos (liturgy)
The Octoechos —literally, the book "of the Eight Tones"—contains an eight-week cycle, providing texts to be chanted for every day at Vespers, Matins, the Divine Liturgy, Compline and the Midnight Office...
), and the ending of which differs according to the day of the week (see Weekly cycle).
Saturdays of the dead
A different Alleluia is chanted on memorial Saturdays throughout the year. Most of these occur on Saturdays during Great Lent, but there are several others throughout the year as well. This Alleluia is always chanted in the eighth toneOctoechos
Oktōēchos is the name of the eight mode system used for the composition of religious chant in Syrian, Coptic, Byzantine, Armenian, Latin and Slavic churches since the middle ages...
(Greek usage: fourth plagal tone), though it may be chanted to a special funeral melody.
- Canonarch: Alleluia in the eighth tone. Verse 1: Blessed are they whom Thou has taken to Thyself, O Lord.
- Chanters: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
- Canonarch (Verse 2): Their remembrance is unto generation and generation.
- Chanters: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
- Canonarch (Verse 3): Their souls shall dwell among good things
- Chanters: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
They then begin immediately to chant the troparia of the dead:
- O Thou Who by the depth of Thy wisdom dost provide all things out of love for man, and grantest unto all that which is profitable, O only Creator: Grant rest, O Lord, to the soul(s) of Thy servant(s); for in Thee hath he (she)(have they) placed his (her)(their) hope, O our Creator and Fashioner and God.
- Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
- Theotokion: In thee we have a wall and a have, and an intercessor acceptable to God Whom thou didst bear, O TheotokosTheotokosTheotokos is the Greek title of Mary, the mother of Jesus used especially in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic Churches. Its literal English translations include God-bearer and the one who gives birth to God. Less literal translations include Mother of God...
unwedded, salvation of the faithful.
The same format is followed in the Panikhida (requiem service).