Great and Holy Friday

Through a tree Adam lost his home in Paradise, and through the Tree of
the Cross the thief made Paradise his home. For the one, by eating,
transgressed the commandment of his Maker; but the other, crucified at
Thy side, confessed Thee as the hidden God. Remember us also, Savior,
in Thy Kingdom.

For my sake Thou wast crucified, to become for me a fountain of
forgiveness. Thy side was pierced, that Thou mightest pour upon me
streams of life. Thou wast transfixed with nails, that through the
depth of Thy sufferings I might know with certainty the height of Thy
power, and cry to Thee O Christ the Giver of Life: O Savior, glory to
Thy Cross and to Thy Passion.

When Thou wast crucified, O Christ, all the creation saw and trembled.
The foundations of the earth quaked in fear of Thy power. The lights of
heaven hid themselves and the veil of the Temple was rent in twain, the
mountains trembled and the rocks were split. With the faithful thief we
cry: Remember us, O Savior.

O Lord, on the Cross Thou hast torn up the record of our sins; numbered
among the departed, Thou hast bound fast the ruler of hell, delivering
all men from the chains of death by Thy Resurrection. Through this Thy
Resurrection, O Lord who lovest mankind, we have been granted light, and
cry to Thee: Remember us also, Savior, in Thy Kingdom.

from the Stichera at Matins of Holy and Great Friday
Tonight is the beautiful Lamentation Service – Psalm 119 with verses interspersed. It’s long and tiring and beautiful and prayerful all at the same time.

Then, one of the most beautiful hymns of the church year (I say that about almost all of them, don’t I?) The Noble Joseph, when he had taken down Thy most pure body from the tree, wrapped it in fine linen and anointed it with spices, and placed it in a new tomb.

Afterwards, the bier will be processed around the church three times and we will enter back into the church under it (this is a time that one needs to be extra careful to not light their hair on fire with their candle, as I learned the hard way one Holy Friday).

And, then, the readings will slowly turn towards the Resurrection – the Valley of the Dry Bones, and the “I shall arise”. We are entering the final hours before Pascha.

(PS, thank you – my throat is still slightly tickly, and my nose a bit runny, but I’m feeling good. Your prayers are helping, I appreciate it.)