GREAT AND HOLY WEEK: Great Holy Thursday Evening

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

GREAT AND HOLY WEEK: Great Holy Thursday Evening

"We worship Thy Passion, O Christ…"

(The service of the HOLY PASSION of our
Lord Jesus Christ. The service is Orthros
(Matins) of Holy Friday morning sung in
anticipation, on Holy Thursday evening.)

Great Holy Friday celebrates the holy, saving and awesome Passion of Christ. To take away our sins, 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 service is long, but its content is dramatic and deeply moving for the devout Orthodox Christian. Participation in the prayers and the historical sequence of the events, as elated in the Holy Gospels and sacred hymns, provides a vivid foundation for the Great Events yet to come. Following are the references of the "TWELVE GOSPEL" READINGS of the service.

1. Saint John 13:31 thru Ch. 18:1
2. Saint John 18:1-29
3. Saint Matthew 26:57-75
4. Saint John 18:28 thru Ch. 19:16
5. Saint Matthew 27:3-32
6. Saint Mark 15:16-32
7. Saint Matthew 27:33-54
8. Saint Luke 23:32-4911
9. Saint John 19:38-42
10. Saint Mark 15:43-47
12. Saint 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 people. The Church services during Great and Holy Week RE-ENACT THE EVENTS OF THIS GOSPEL.

After the reading of the FIFTH GOSPEL comes the procession with the Crucifix around teh 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 WIT THE PURPLE OF MOCKERY WHO WRAPPED THE HEAVENS WITH CLOUDS. HE RECEIVED BUFFETINGS 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 spiritual welfare, imitating the thief on the Cross who confessed his faith and devotion to Christ. He then approaches and reverently kisses the Crucifix.

Great Holy Friday Morning

"They cast lots upon my vesture…"

According to the Hebrew custom, the "Royal Hours," four in number, are read at this time. These services consist of hymns, psalms, and readings from the Old and New Testaments, all related propheticall and ethically to the Person of Christ. In some churches, the "Hours" are read in the afternoon, before the Vesper services.

Great holy Friday Afternoon

"Father, forgive them for they know not what
they do…"

(The service is Vespers sung on Great Holy
Friday afternoon.)

The Vespers (Gr. Esperinos) afternoon are a continuation of the Royal Hours. During this service, the REMOVAL (DESCENT) OF THE BODY OF CHRIST FROM THE CROSS (APOKATHELOSIS) IS COMMEMORATED with a sense of mourning for the terrible events which took place. Once more, excerpts from the Old Testament are read together with hymns, and again the entire story is related, followed by the removal from the Cross and the wrapping of the Body of Christ with a white sheet as did Joseph of Arimathea. Holy 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 in the holy Altar. The priest then chants a mourning hymn: "When Joseph of Arimathea took the 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 church before placing it inside the 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 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 HOLY FRIDAY EVENING – THE LAMENTATION

"Do not weep for Me, but weep for
yourselves…"

(The service is Orthros (Matins) of Great Holy Saturday
morning sung in anticipation, on Great Friday evening.)

It consists of psalms, hymns, and readings dealing with the death of Christ, in contrast His Divinity, and in expectation of His Resurrection. One of the hymns relates: "He Who holds all things is raised up on the Cross and all creation laments to see Him hang naked on the Tree." The thoughtful and well-written Odes, sung 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 us of hte vision of Isaiah, who saw Christ, "THE UNWANING LIGHT OF THE MANIFESTATION," and cried aloud. "The dead indeed shall arise and all those on earth shall rejoice." During this service, the Body of Christ is carried in procession around the church. In some parishes, THE ENTIRE FLOWER-BEDECKED SEPULCHRE (KOUVOUKLION), SYMBOLIZING THE TOMB, CARRIED IN THE PROCESSION OUTSIDE AND AROUND 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 water (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 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, and good works (works of love for our neighbor), 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.

GREAT HOLY SATURDAY MORNING

"Arise, O God, and judge the earth…"

(The service is Vespers and Divine Liturgy of
Great Holy Saturday Evening chanted in
anticipation on Holy Saturday morning.)

Psalms are read and Resurrection hymns are chanted which tell of Christ’s Descent into Hades "Today Hades cried out groaning" is the hymn’s description of the resurrection of Adam and THE CONQUERING OF DEATH. Thus this day’s celebration is called "FIRST RESURRECTION." Most readings of this day are from the Old Testament on the PROPHECIES AND PROMISES OF THE CONQUERING OF DEATH. On this day, the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great is officiated. Holy Apostle Paul exhorts the faithful: "We were buried, therefore, with Him by baptism unto death, so we, too, might walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4),

After the reading of the Epistle, the priest follows the tradition of TOSSING OF LAUREL MIXED WITH FLOWER PETALS IN THE AIR, CHANTING "ARISE, O GOD, AND JUDGE THOU THE EARTH: FOR THOU SHALL TAKE ALL HEATHEN TO THINE INHERITANCE." The Cherubic hymn of this day is: "Let all mortal flesh keep silence and stand with fear and trembling…" a thoughtful hymn of adoration and exaltation. The Divine Liturgy ends with the Communion Hymn: "So the Lord awakens as one out of sleep, and He is risen to save us."

The Holy Scripture Readings are: The Epistle taken from Romans 6:3-11 and Gospel Matthew 28:1-20.

(To be continued)

___________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George