The all-night vigil is celebrated on the eve of the main feasts of the Orthodox Church. The purpose is to show a sense of beauty in the setting sun and give the congregation a chance to consider the spiritual light of Christ, the new light of the coming day and the eternal light of the heavenly kingdom. The vigil consists of three separate services: Great Vespers, Matins (at midnight) and the First Hour or Prime (in the morning).
Vespers: This movement consists of a truncated version of Psalm 103 (104).
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