Great and Holy Friday. Our Venerable Father John Climacus, Author of The Ladder of Divine Ascent (c. 649)
Abstention from meat, dairy and eggs, and foods that contain these ingredients. According to liturgical prescriptions, the Divine Liturgy is not celebrated today.
Read
Matins – (1) John 13:31-18:1; (2) John 18:1-28; (3) Matthew 26:57-75;
(4) John 18:28-19:16; (5) Matthew 27:3-32; (6) Mark 15:16-32;
(7) Matthew 27:33-54; (8) Luke 23:32-49; (9) John 19:25-37;
(10) Mark 15:43-47; (11) John 19:38-42; (12) Matthew 27:62-66
First Hour – Zechariah 11:10-13; Galatians 6:14-18; Matthew 27:1-56
Third Hour – Isaiah 50:4-11; Romans 5:6-11; Mark 15:16-41
Sixth Hour – Isaiah 52:13-54:1; Hebrews 2:11-18; Luke 23:32-49
Ninth Hour – Jeremiah 11:18-23; 12:15,9-11,14,15;
Hebrews 10:19-31; John 18:28-19:37
Vespers – Exodus 33:11-23; Job 42:12-16; Isaiah 52:13-54:1; 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:2; Matthew 27:1-38; Luke 23:39-43; Matthew 27:39-54;
John 19:31-37; Matthew 27:55-61
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Last night or this morning, at the Matins of the Passion, we sang the following:
Today He who hung the earth upon the waters is hung on the tree,
The King of the angels is decked with a crown of thorns.
He who wraps the heavens in clouds is wrapped in the purple of mockery.
He who freed Adam in the Jordan is slapped on the face.
The Bridegroom of the Church is affixed to the Cross with nails.
The Son of the virgin is pierced by a spear.
We worship Thy passion, O Christ.
We worship Thy passion, O Christ.
We worship Thy passion, O Christ.
Show us also Thy glorious resurrection.
The glory that Moses desires to see is fully manifested in Christ’s crucifixion on the cross. In being crucified, Christ shows the entire universe the glory of God, showing Himself to be truly the Son of God.
As we enter into the Passion, Crucifixion, Death, and Burial of Jesus Christ, may we be reminded and always remember that it is in His crucifixion that the Lord manifests His glory to the world!