Next in order are the Antiphons, which initially were a separate office, of the kind of a Supplication or Lity. This office used to take place before the celebration of the Divine Liturgy outside the Nave. The Antiphons are in reality verses from the Psalter, which are chanted alternately, accompanied by one of two refrains. These refrains are: 'Through the prayers of the Theotokos...' and 'Save us, O Son of God...'

The Antiphons are now chanted in the beginning of the Divine Liturgy, so that the faithful get prepared to meet the Lord. Each one of the Antiphons is followed by a prayer recited by the priest. These prayers are called the Prayers of the Antiphons.

8 from Αθωνική Ψηφιακή Κιβωτός on Vimeo.

In the prayer of the first Antiphon the priest asks God's 'loving kindness' and 'compassion'. In the prayer of the second Antiphon he asks God to give strength to those who take care of His house, i.e. of the church. In the prayer of the third Antiphon the priest asks God to enlighten those present, so as to understand His truth. The Antiphons are concluded with a complete confession of faith, a kind of a brief Creed: 'The Only-Begotten Son and Immortal Word of God (...)'. The above hymn is sung at this point so that the Catechumens, i.e. those who have not yet been baptized, confess their faith in unison with the members of the Church. Shortly they will leave the Nave for the inner Narthex or Lity, for they are not still eligible for a participation in the rest of the Divine Liturgy.