Divine Liturgy
What is Matins?
Matins is the morning prayer of the Church. In the Coptic Church, Sunday Matins is commonly joined with the Raising of Morning Incense before the Divine Liturgy. It prepares the faithful to begin the day in worship and to approach the Eucharist with attention.
The rites curriculum places the Raising of Morning Incense before the Offering of the Lamb, the Liturgy of the Word, and the Liturgy of the Faithful. That order explains why Sunday can feel like it begins before the Eucharistic Liturgy itself. The Church is already praying, giving thanks, and interceding.
My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.
What Happens During Matins
Matins includes prayer, incense, litanies, praise, and readings according to the day. The priest and deacons serve at the altar while the people respond in prayer. The Church asks for mercy, gives thanks, and prepares for the service that follows.
The morning incense also teaches continuity. The Church approaches the altar through thanksgiving, remembrance of the needs of the Church and the world, the Gospel, and the absolution before the Eucharistic movement continues.
Why Matins Matters
Matins matters because the morning belongs to God before it belongs to any other work. In parish worship, it also gives the faithful a way to pass from daily life into the Liturgy. The incense, litanies, responses, and Gospel prepare the Church to offer the Lamb and receive Christ.
- Coptic Rites (1): Raising of Incense, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Teaching slides on incense, prayer, liturgical order, and reverent participation.
- Coptic Liturgies, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Overview of the Divine Liturgy, the three Coptic liturgies, and the principal parts of the Eucharistic service.
- Coptic Rites (3): Liturgy of the Word, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Teaching slides on the Pauline, Catholic Epistle, Praxis, Synaxarium, Gospel litany, Creed, and related rites.
- The Agpeya, Mighty Arrows Magazine, SUSCopts. Introductory article on the Book of Hours and daily prayer.
Matins: The morning prayer service, often joined to the Raising of Incense before the Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning.
Incense: Fragrant offering used in worship as a biblical sign of prayer rising before God, especially around the altar, Gospel, icons, clergy, and faithful.
Divine Liturgy: The Church's central Eucharistic worship, where Scripture, Creed, offering, thanksgiving, consecration, and Communion are gathered into one prayer before God.
Eucharist: A Greek word meaning thanksgiving. In Orthodox worship it names the sacrament in which bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ.
Lamb: The holy bread selected during the Offering of the Lamb, named in relation to Christ the Lamb of God who gives Himself for the life of the world.
Altar: The holy table in the sanctuary where the Eucharistic gifts are offered and consecrated, treated with reverence as the center of liturgical worship.
Absolution: The priestly prayer of forgiveness and release, prayed by the authority Christ gave His Church for repentance and reconciliation.