The exapostilaria ask God to enlighten the minds of the faithful that they might worthily praise the Lord in the verses of the Lauds[2] which follow, and in the Great Doxology.
At simple services on weekdays, especially during Great Lent, the normal exapostilaria are replaced with the Photagogicon (Greek: Φωταγωγικόν pl.
The Lenten form of the photagogica are chanted in the Tone of the Week, are of a penitential nature, and are similar in performance to the Triadica (Hymns to the Trinity) that were sung near the beginning of Matins.
On Sundays, just before the exapostilarion the canonarch (or, the deacon in Russian practice) recites the verses for the singing of “Holy is the Lord our God” three times.
During Holy Week the Exapostilarion is of great significance and is solemnly chanted in the center of the church by three singers (or by the entire choir).