Orthodox Christian Matins: The Six Psalms Read by a monk of the Hermitage of the Holy Cross
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- Опубліковано 27 вер 2024
- I spliced this together using the Psalter read by a monk of the Hermitage of the Holy Cross. The Six Psalms [3, 37(38) , 62(63), 87(88), 102(103), and 142(143)] are a common prayer for the Orthodox Christian read in the morning after chanting the Trisagion prayers. They appear in the Jordanville Prayer book, which I have a link to below.
I posted this to help myself because I am at times tempted to skip the six psalms, through a multitude of worldly cares and responsibilities, especially during the pandemic of COVID-19.
During the reading, all candles are put out except one in the church. The falling darkness symbolizes that dead of night during which Christ, praised in the angelic song "Glory to God in the Highest," came to earth. The semi-darkness of the church facilitates great prayerful concentration, as one meditates and considers the time of their own death. During the middle "Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit ... Alleluia...Both now and ever...," it is recommended to not perform the sign of the cross, but to stand in solemn reverence.
"There is a custom in the matins service that we are not supposed to walk around, bow, or even make the sign of the cross during the reading of the entire Six Psalms. We aren't to make our cross even during the middle when we recite, "Gory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit."
“Be still and know that I AM God” Psalm 45
A monastic tradition says that this is because these are the six psalms that will be read at the Last Judgment. And in as little time as it takes for the angel to read these six psalms, the tradition continues all the people from all of history will be sorted out, the sheep from the goats, and placed at either the right hand or the left hand of Christ. During that time of final sorting, no more movement under our own power will be possible, no protests or acts of repentance, nor even making the sign of the cross will be permitted. We will be immobilized, awaiting God's judgment and determination; our time for action of any kind will have passed.
“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me...Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:31-36, 40)
But why should this tradition at Matins be true? Why would those six psalms in particular be the ones read at the final Judgment of the world? The answer is because each one of them is a confession of the thoughts of the God-man upon the cross. These Psalms judge us because they reveal the end for which we were created: Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
"Deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow me."
(Matthew 10:38; Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23; Luke 14:27)
When we pray the Psalter, we don't just petition or ask God as outsiders to God's life. No, we enter into and take on "the mind of Christ. We are privileged to think Christ's thoughts when we pray the Psalter!" From The Ethics of Beauty Timothy G. Patitsas
Below are the links to the Jordanville prayerbook, the psalter recording I cut it all together with, and a brief discussion of the six psalms.
www.holytrinit...
www.holycross....
churchmotherof...
Amen. When I am barely able to pray I use your recording to get me going.
This is exactly why this was posted! As a father with two kids under 4, listening to this (and the hours) helps me so so much.
"How long, O Lord, wilt Thou utterly forget me? How long wilt Thou turn Thy face away from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul with grievings in my heart by day and by night? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? Look upon me, hear me, O Lord my God; enlighten mine eyes, lest at any time I sleep unto death." (Psalm 12)
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Forgive me if this isn't helpful. I've just whispered the name of Jesus over and over during impossibly weak times. God help us all.
Thank you. Beautiful!!!
. A faithful Christian recorded her morning and evening prayers for me last April.
Very helpful too coz I suffer bad tiredness at times.
I live in seclusion, maybe being able o go o church once a yrar. It is a great blessing to be able o listen and pray with the psalms. Thank you.
Glory to God for showing us the Way, the Truth and the Life!
Lord Jesus Christ the son of God have Mercy on the Orthodox everywhere❗☦☦☦
Thank you for this recording.
Thomas a sinner
beautiful. Thank you.I was baptized in Jordanville.
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