Exaposteilarion

DIMITRI CONOMOS

A troparion occurring after the ninth ode of the Canon in Matins, and frequently developing the theme of Christ as light of the world. It is termed exaposteilarion because it “sends forth or gives the dis­missal” at the end of the Canon and before the Praises. The exaposteilaria are without preceding verses and on Sundays they are always linked with the gospel of the resur­rection, used earlier in the service. Those chanted during the weekdays of Great Lent are called photagogika (“hymns of light”). There is one for each of the eight modes and each one refers to the “sending forth” of divine illumination.

SEE ALSO: Canon (Liturgical); Orthros (Mat­ins); Troparion