Categories: uncategorized
Date: 25 March 2005 22:36:52
For the international guests, we here in the land of Oz get Good Friday and Easter Monday as public holidays.
I decided to make the most of the time off yesterday and visit St Francis of Assisi again for their Solemn Commemoration of the Lord's Passion and Presanctified Mass. It was a very moving service with many beautiful hymns and motets, sung wonderfully by their skilled choir [I know two people in their choir] and the wonderful vocal talents of their choirmaster. The priest has a great voice for chanting as well.
The service included a narration of the Passion from the Gospel according to St John -- a very moving account of the arrest, trial and crucifixion of Christ. We venerated the Cross, and everyone could take a small bundle of "bitter herbs" (rosemary, thyme and sage) tied with a red ribbon, representing the bitter herbs eaten as part of the Passover meal. They scented my car on the way home, and will hopefully scent my room for a few days to come. The service ended with the singing of Soul of my Saviour.
Although we won't remember the events of the Last Supper, arrest, trial, crucifixion, burial and glorious resurrection in Orthodox for several more weeks, I don't think it is ever possible to reflect on it too much. I found it a great and timely reflection on Christ's full and perfect sacrifice for us.