Great and Holy Bridegroom Services

Date: 18 April 2006 12:35:54

The Bridegroom Services have finished for Holy Week. The name of the services is taken from Christ's Parable of the Ten Virgins. The icon points to the fact that Christ's marriage to His Church was his death: we are united to Him in the Church as His Bride through His saving death and resurrection. The services "anticipate" each day: on Sunday night we have Monday's service; Monday night is Tuesday's; and Tuesday night is Wednesday's. These are Matins services, generally held in the Morning: but now held in the evening; and the Vesperal Liturgy of the Presanctified, usually held in the evening, is celebrated in the mornings during Holy Week. Time does seem turned up-side down: but in a wonderful way.

Each of the services has a particular commemoration: Monday we remember through readings and hymns Joseph in Egypt and the withering of the Fig Tree, with its stern reminder of what awaits us if we do not bear spiritual fruits. Tuesday we recall the Parables of the Virgins and the Talents. At the final service we bring to mind Jesus' anointment by the sinful woman and Judas' betrayal -- and the question is put to us: who will we be like?

The Bridegroom Services have filled me with a joy, peace and hope that has been lacking at times this Great Lent. The reading of Psalms 20, 21, 38, 63, 88, 103 and 143 draw me into worship. The prayers offered through the litanies and the wonderful hymns: hymns pregnant with expectation of Pascha; hymns recalling Old Testament events; hymns and responses filled with imagery and with exhortations for us to turn again to Christ this season. Here are several of them that give a taste of the service:

Behold the Bridegroom comes at midnight; and blessed is he, whom He shall find watching; but unworthy is he whom He shall find heedless. Beware, therefore O my soul, not to be weighed down with sleep, lest you be given up to death, and shut out of the Kingdom. But, rouse yourself crying: "Holy, Holy, Holy are You our God, by the power of your Cross have mercy on us."

"Looking to Me,"said the Lord to His disciples, "be not high-minded, but condescend to men of humility; My cup which I drink, drink of it, that you may be glorious with Me in the Kingdom of the Father."

When the tyrant's order prevailed, the furnace was fired sevenfold. In it, the children were not burned; but trampling underfoot the king's decree they cried out: "All the works of the Lord, praise the Lord, and exalt Him forever."

Let us cast off slothfulness, and with bright lamps let us meet Christ, the immortal bridegroom, crying out: "All the works of the Lord, bless the Lord."

I see Your Bridal Chambered adorned, O my Saviour, and I have no wedding garment, that I may enter therein; O Giver of Life, make radiant the vesture of my soul and save me.

The harlot spread out her hair before the Master; Judas spread out his hands to the lawless men: the one to receive forgiveness, the other to receive silver. Therefore, let us cry out to You, Who was sold, and Who has freed us: "O Lord, glory to You."

Behold O my soul! The Master entrusts to you a talent. Receive the gift with fear; lend to Him who gave it; distribute to he poor, and gain the Lord as Friend; that you may stand on His right, when He comes in glory, an hear His blessed voice: "Enter, O servant, into the joy of your Lord!" In Your great mercy, O Saviour, deem me, who has strayed, worthy of this joy.