Byzantine rite orthros what is it?

The Orthros (also called Matins) is the morning prayer service in the Byzantine Rite of the Eastern Orthodox Church. It is celebrated daily as part of the Liturgy of the Hours, and contains hymns of praise, readings from the Bible and the lives of the saints, and intercessory prayers. On special occasions, the Orthros may be celebrated with a more elaborate service, including incense and the Great Doxology.

Here is a brief outline of the structure of an Orthros service:

1. Opening prayers and hymnody: The Orthros begins with opening prayers and hymns, including the Trisagion ("Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us") and the Lord's Prayer.

2. Kathisma: The Kathisma is a set of three psalms and three hymns from the Old Testament. These are followed by a short litany and the chanting of the Kontakion and Oikos, which are hymns in honor of the day's feast or saint.

3. Polyeleos: On Sundays and feast days, the Orthros includes the Polyeleos, which is a hymn of praise and thanksgiving. During the Polyeleos, the congregation venerates the cross and lights candles.

4. Canon: The Canon is a series of nine odes, or hymns, which are chanted by the congregation. The odes consist of biblical verses and poetic imagery that reflect on the day's feast or saint.

5. Kontakion and Oikos: The Kontakion and Oikos are then repeated, followed by the Small Doxology and a short litany.

6. Readings: The Orthros includes readings from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the lives of the saints. These readings are interspersed with hymns and prayers.

7. Prayers and dismissal: The Orthros concludes with a series of prayers, including a prayer for salvation and a prayer for peace. The service ends with the blessing of the priest and the dismissal of the congregation.

The Orthros is an important part of the daily life of Orthodox Christians, and it provides an opportunity for the faithful to come together to praise God and pray for the needs of the world.