The first of the seven Canonical Hours in the Breviary of the Roman Catholic Church liturgy, traditionally performed early in the morning, before dawn, generally about 3:00 a.m. The service consists of several Responsitories and Psalms which are sung. [ALR
the first canonical hour; at daybreak
the night office; the service recited at 2 am in the divine office
Morning Divine Service preceding the Divine Liturgy. Sometimes held on the eve of a Church holiday or Sunday.
one of the daily services which takes place late at night or early in the morning. (According to the daily cycle it is scheduled at 3:00 a.m.) This service is comprised chiefly of psalms and a Canon of hymns which differ from day to day.
morning prayers, often read or sung aloud
a service of praise conducted early in the morning. The early Christians held a devotional service around midnight that extended into the early morning hours. The name matins became attached to this first service of the day. The Lutheran Hymnal and Christian Worship include an order of matins.