Categories: hymns, parish-life, feast-days
Date: 05 April 2007 23:33:01
A long service [3.5 hours: though I arrived a bit late], but a truly blessed one. Information on the service can be read here (see under Orthodox Celebration of Great And Holy Friday). A large number of readings, prayers and hymns: and though my weak body tired, tired greatly, thanks be to God He gave me the strength to maintain some level of alertness and prayerfulness. As I mentioned in previous posts, Unordered encouraged people to get along to a service if they could, and I think this is one of the services that truly shows what Orthodoxy is about, especially what we believe and how we worship, so if you're in a timezone that hasn't reached Thursday evening and are curious go along to your nearest Orthodox parish -- and you can leave anytime if you get tired [though please feel free to drop in any time: don't wait a year if Thursday evening is past! :)]
This service, as I wrote above, does shows how we worship: light: candles upon candles upon candles; using the body in worship: prostrations, kneeling, etc.; smell: the ever-present incense. A stand with twelve candles it set up, and each one is lit after a Gospel reading. After the fifth Gospel, and some hymns, the electric lights are turned of until the end of the service -- candles were handed out to all so they could see. The priest removes the icon of Christ from the Cross and places it on the altar table. Then, preceded by candles, incense and a processional cross, the priest carries the Cross on his right shoulder around the church, while the people kneel: while doing this the priest chants the beautiful Fifteenth Antiphon:
Today He Who hung the earth upon the waters is hung upon the Tree (x3). The King of Angels is decked with a crown of thorns. He, Who wrapped the Heavens in clouds, is wrapped with the purple of mockery. He, Who freed Adam in the Jordan, is slapped on the face. The Bridegroom of Christ is affixed to the Cross with nails. The Son of the Virgin is pierced with a spear. We worship your Passion, O Christ (x3). Show us also Your glorious Resurrection.The priest then places the Cross back and, picking up the Icon of the Body of Christ, nails it to the cross (by a few well-hit fists), before censing it and making three prostrations. The service continues with the seven remaining Gospel readings, a number of hymns, prayers, Psalms and the Beatitudes.
You, O Lord, Who on the same day made the thief worthy of paradise, illuminate me also by the wood of the Cross, and save me.