Great and Holy Friday
Date: 01 April 2010 11:46:16
Today He Who hung the Earth upon the waters is hung upon the Tree.
The King of the 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 the Church is transfixed to the Cross with nails.
The Son of the Virgin is pierced by a spear.
We worship Your Passion, O Christ.
We worship Your Passion, O Christ.
We worship Your Passion, O Christ.
Show us also Your glorious Resurrection.
You ransomed us from the curse of the Law by Your precious Blood;
You have shed forth immortality on mankind
by being nailed to the Cross and pierced with a spear.
O Saviour of us all, glory to You.
Because of a tree, Adam was estranged from Paradise;
because of the wood of the Cross, the thief abode in Paradise;
for the former, in tasting, disobeyed the commandment of the Creator;
but the latter, who was crucified with You, confessed,
admitting to you the unconcealed God.
O Saviour: remember also us in your Kingdom.
Every member of Your Holy Body endured dishonour for us.
Your head, the thorns;
Your face; the spittings;
Your cheeks, the smitings;
Your mouth, the taste of vinegar mixed with gall;
Your ears, the impious blasphemies;
Your back, the lash;
Your hand; the reed;
Your whole Body, stretched out on the Cross;
Your joints, the nails;
and Your side, the spear.
O Almighty Saviour,
Who in Your Mercy condescended to suffer for us,
and set us free from suffering,
having raised us up, have mercy on us.
All creation was changed by fear
when it saw You, O Christ, hanging on the Cross;
the Sun was darkened,
and the foundations of the earth were shaken.
All things suffered together with the Creator of all things.
O Lord, Who for us endured willingly, glory to You.
Hymns from the Service of the Twelve Passion Gospels, held on Great and Holy Thursday night, but as the Orthodox Liturgical day begins at sunset it is reckoned as Holy and Great Friday.