April 21, 2006
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Fr. and the boys, Maria~Angelica is napping so I am home, just left for the Apokathilosis service, the taking down of Christ from the cross, and there was a HUGE bang of thunder. It never fails that it is rainy and stormy on Good Friday.
The Vespers of Friday afternoon are a continuation of the Royal Hours. During this service, the removal of the Body of Christ from the Cross is commemorated with a sense of mourning. Once more, excerpts from the Old Testament are read together with hymns, and again the entire story is related, followed by the removal of Christ from the Cross and the wrapping of His body with a white sheet as did Joseph of Arimathea.
Photo courtesy of John Thomas and used with permission.
As the priest reads the Gospel, “and taking the body, Joseph wrapped it in a white cloth,” he removes the Body of Christ from the Cross, wraps it in a white cloth and takes it to the altar. The priest then chants a mourning hymn: “When Joseph of Arimathea took Thee, the life of all, down from the Tree dead, he buried Thee with myrrh and fine linen . . . rejoicing. Glory to Thy humiliation, O Master, who clothest Thyself with light as it were with a garment.” The priest then carries the cloth on which the Body of Christ is painted or embroidered around the church before placing it inside the Sepulcher, a carved bier which symbolizes the Tomb of Christ. We are reminded that during Christ's entombment He descends into Hades to free the dead of the ages before His Resurrection.
The Scripture readings for the Vespers are: Exodus 33:11-23; Job 42:12-17; Isaiah 52:13-54:1; I Corinthians 1:18-2:2; and from the Gospels Matthew 27:1-38; Luke 23:39-43; Matthew 27:39-54; John 19:31-37; and Matthew 27:55-61.
Photos courtesy of John Thomas and used with permission.
Taken from goarch.org .
I have been watching the service live on ERT Greek Sat. TV. The Epitaphios services was live from the Phanar in Constantinople, the chanting of the lamentations was very beautiful . Here is a link to ERT they may have live internet streaming, I am not sure.
Here is a link to watch services on the goarch.org site.
Comments (5)
I've never been to this service as it is always during the day, but I didn't even think of watching it on the GOA site. And, silly me has been using their site all week for my blog posts. Gah! Thanks for the idea.
Mara got to participate! She walked backwards at first and didn't trip! I'm so glad we were there, she made it through the service, and then we crawled under the bier (won't dare try to spell the Greek word). It was tough with her, but she made it!
Yasou. May you and your family have a blessed Easter.
Your photos are courtesy of "John Thomas" and that was my grandfather's name. How funny.
That is funny!
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