My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and our Holy True Savior,CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
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ORTHODOX GREAT AND HOLY WEEK (Part II)
GREAT AND HOLY THURSDAY EVENING
"We worship Thy Passion, O Christ..."
(The divine service of the Holy Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. The divine Orthros (Matins) of Friday morning chanted by anticipation, on Thursday evening.)
Great and Holy Friday celebrates the holy, saving and awesome Passion of Christ God. To take away our sins, Our Lord Jesus Christ willingly endured spitting, scourging, buffeting, scorn, mocking, and purple robe; the reed, sponge, vinegar, nails, spear, and above all, the Cross and Death. The confession from the cross of the penitent thief, crucified with Christ, is celebrated. This divine service is long, but its content is dramatic and deeply moving for the devout Christian. Participation in the prayers and the historical sequence of the events, as related in the Gospels and hymns, provides a vivid foundation for the great events yet to come. Following are the references of the "Twelve Gospel" readings of this holy service.
1. St. John 13:31 thru Chapter 18:1
2. St. John 18:1-29
3. St. Matthew 26:57-75
4. St. John 18:28 thru Ch. 19:16
5. St. Matthew 27:3-32
6. St. Mark 15:43-47
7. St. John 19:38-42
8. St. Matthew 27:62-66
These readings relate the last instructions of Christ to His Disciples, the prophecy of the drama of the Cross, the dramatic prayer of Christ and His new commandment. The day should be devoted to reading the "Gospel of the Testament" of Christ which He left for all men. The Holy Church service during Holy Week reenacts the events of this Gospel.
After the reading of the fifth Gospel reading comes the procession with the Crucifix around the nave of the church, while the priest chants the 15th Antiphon: "Today is hung upon the Tree, He Who did hang the land in the midst of the waters. A Crown of thorns crowns Him Who is King of Angels, He is wrapped about with the purple of mockery Who wrapped the Heavens with clouds. He received buffettings Who freed Adam in Jordan. He was transfixed with nails Who is the Bridegroom of the Church. He was pierced with a spear Who is the Son of the Virgin. We worship Thy Passion, O Christ, Show also unto us Thy Glorious Resurrection."
During the Procession, the faithful Orthodox Christian kneels and prays for his/her spiritual welfare, imitating the thief on the Cross who confessed his faith and devotion to Christ. He/she then approaches and reverently kisses the Crucifix.
GREAT AND HOLY FRIDAY MORNING
"They cast lots upon my vesture..."
According to the Hebrew tradition, the "Royal Hours," four in number, are read at this time. These holy services consist of hymns, psalms, and readings from the Old and New Testament, all related prophetically and ethically to the Person of Christ. In some churches, the "Hours" are read in the afternoon, before the Vespers services.
GREAT AND HOLY FRIDAY MORNING
"Father, forgive them for they know not what they do..."
(The service is Vespers chanted on Friday afternoon.)
Together with hymns, and again the entire story is related, followed by removal from the Cross and the wrapping of the Body of Christ with a white sheet as did Joseph of Arimathea. Apostle Paul, interpreting the dreadful event, exhorts the Church: "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God...we preach Christ Crucified...the power of God and the Wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18f.)
As the priest reads the Gospel, "and taking the Body, Joseph wrapped it in a white cloth," he removes the Body of Christ from the Cross, wraps it in a white sheet, and takes it to the altar. The priest then chants a mourning hymn: "When Joseph of Arimathea took Thee, the life of All, down from the Tree dead, he buried Thee with myrrh and fine linen...rejoicing. Glory to Thy humiliation, O Master, Who clothest Thyself with Light as it were with a garment." The priest then carries the cloth on which the Body of Christ is painted or embroidered around the nave of the church before placing it inside the holy Sepulchre (kouvouklion), a carved bier which symbolizes the Tomb of Christ. We are reminded that during Christ's entombment, He descends into Hades to free the dead of the ages before His Incarnation.
The Gospel readings which related these events are: Matthew 27:1-38; Luke 23:29-43; Matthew 27:29-54; John 19:31-37; Matthew 27:55-61. Great and Holy Friday is the only day in the year on which the Divine Liturgy is not officiated.
Today, the devoted Orthodox Christian ponders in his/her heart the deep meaning of the Seven Last Words of Christ uttered on the Cross, the first Divine Pulpit of Christianity.
GREAT AND HOLY FRIDAY EVENING - THE LAMENTATION
"Do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves..."
(The divine service of Orthros (Matins) of Great and Holy Saturday morning chanted by anticipation on Friday evening.)
It consists of Psalms, hymns and readings with the Death of Christ, in contrast to His Divinity, and in expectation of His Resurrection. One of the hymns relates: "He Who holds all things is raised upon the Cross and all creation laments to see Him hang naked on the Tree." The thoughtful and well-written Odes, chanted by the chanters, compare the Compassion of God and the cruelty of man, the Might of God and the moral weakness of man. The Odes picture all Creation trembling when witnessing its Creator hung by His own creatures: "Creation was moved with intense astonishment when it beheld Thee hung in Golgotha". The Odes remind aloud, "The dead indeed shall rise and all those on earth shall rejoice." During this divine service, the Body of Christ is carried in procession around the church. In some parishes, the entire flower-bedecked Sepulchre (Kouvouklion), symbolizing the Tomb, is carried in the procession around the outside of the church.
The entire congregation joins in chanting the three parts of the "Hymns of Praise" (there are approximately 300 hymns, but only a few are chanted.) After these hymns are chanted, the priest sprinkles the Sepulchre and the whole congregation with fragrant (rose) water. There is simultaneous praise of both the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ with their purpose of the redemption of man. We no longer lament the sufferings of the Crucified One; we now lament chiefly for our own sins because we are far from God. So these services should have a rather personal meaning of repentance and of strong faith in God.
Orthodox Christians observe Great and Holy Friday with fasting, prayer, cleanliness, self-examination, confession and good works (works of mercy), in humility and repentance so that the grace of the Cross might descend upon them.
The Gospel reading is according to Saint Matthew 27:62-66.
(To be continued)
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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" -- Saint John Chrysostom
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George