. As Solomon said, the mouth of the transgressing Hebrews is a deep pit. Thou didst suspend the earth immovably upon the waters. I made ready, and I was not troubled: that I might keep Thy commandments. . The Service of Betrothal and all the Marriage services Greek English. In this life we live with Christ in His Church. This service is also sometimes called Jerusalem Matins. Who will give me water and springs of tears, cried the Virgin Bride of God, that I may weep for my sweet Jesus?. Let my lips speak of Thy praise: for Thou hast taught me Thy statutes. The Lamentations, chanted before the Epitaphios on Friday night in Holy Week, are some of the most moving hymns of the Orthodox Church. Listen to Lamentations: Orthodox Chants of Holy Week by Archangel Voices on Apple Music. St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America located in Brooklyn, NY . And how shall I lay Thee out for burial as a corpse? cried Joseph trembling. After the final glorification of the Trinity, the church building is lighted and the first announcement of the women coming to the tomb resounds through the congregation as the celebrant censes the entire church. The Lord of Creation today accepts the Passion and dies for our sake. Perverse and crooked people of the Hebrews, ye knew how the temple would be raised again: why then did ye condemn Christ? This is the blessed Sabbath. How art Thou now by a grave and its darkness hid? Thou art my portion, O Lord: I have said that I would keep Thy law. Item No. Below are some historical notes regarding this tradition. (3) O Lord, open Thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Thy praise. Now creation beholds Thee suspended on Calvary. Greek Orthodox Live Internet Broadcasts of Church Services. There are a lot of services that take place during this time, and the . Quicken me according to Thy mercy; so shall I keep the testimonies of Thy mouth. When the chief captains of the heavenly hosts saw Thee, Savior, stripped, bloodstained and condemned, how could they bear the boldness of Thy crucifiers? I understand more than my elders, because I have sought Thy commandments. Let my tongue speak of Thy words: for all Thy commandments are righteousness. Saints. Six pages in length, SATB and chant. Wounded in Thy side, O Word, through the life-giving drops of Thy blood as the pelican Thou hast restored Thy dead children to life. I am afraid, cried Joseph. Woe is me, my Son! laments the Virgin. Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant; and teach me Thy statutes. Taking Thee down from the Tree, Joseph of Arimathaea lay Thee in a sepulchre. 14. Come, and with the whole creation let us offer a funeral hymn to the Creator. How unspeakable the mystery of Thy Love! . O arrogant Israel, O people guilty of blood, why hast thou set free Barabbas but delivered the Savior to be crucified? Thou art good, O Lord: in Thy goodness teach me Thy statutes. O Thou who hast fashioned Adam with Thine own hand, Thou hast gone down beneath the earth, to raise up fallen men by Thine almighty power. When Thou, O Word, wast dead, Thine all-pure Mother raised a lamentation for Thee. I have inclined my heart to perform Thy statutes: for therein is an everlasting reward. I will keep Thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly. More on the Holy Saturday services available here. The festival of Purim is only four days away. O people, exalt Him above all forever! She alone, and all alone, knew what her Sons death meant. I have remembered Thy Name, O Lord, in the night, and have kept Thy law. When she saw Thee lying dead, O Word, the all-pure Virgin wept with a mother's grief. 1, 04/17/08, SHW Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold the wondrous things of Thy law. Of Thine own will descending as one dead beneath the earth, O Jesus, Thou leadest up the fallen from earth to Heaven. Stream songs including "Come, Receive the Light", "Angels in Heaven" and more. I am Thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know Thy testimonies. And when we come out from under the Epitaphion, where do we find ourselves? On the icons O let Thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Thy word unto Thy servant. In this procession of the Epitaphion we act out what happens when we die. Help me, and I shall be saved: and my study shall be ever in Thy statutes. Thy testimonies that Thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful. Full texts of Readers Services for suite of Divine Services of Holy Friday, including the Royal Hours, the Vespers with the Burial of Christ, and Lamentations at the Tomb of the Saviour (with sheet music); for prayer at home during the Covid-19 pandemic period. In the crooked paths of the transgressing Hebrews there are thorns and snares. Thou art the Joy of the angels, O Savior, but now Thou art become the cause of their grief, as they see Thee in the flesh a lifeless corpse. List of Western Rite parishes that are streaming services. Starting March 5th, The Sunday of Orthodoxy, you are invited to join the Toledo Pan-Orthodox Fellowship for Sunday Vespers. NATIONAL FORUM OF GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH MUSICIANS. 05.00PM - Vespers with placing of Epitaphios in the tomb followed by Matins with Lamentations. Specifically, the Lamentations are part of the Matins service for Holy Saturday, often called Encomiums (E) or Megalynaria (M), consisting of a long series of hymns, or troparia, divided into three stanzas, with each hymn introduced by a verse from Psalm 118 in the Septuagint. O my Jesus, Thou art all of my heart desire; I have regarded all the wicked of the earth as transgressors: therefore I love Thy testimonies. Though His Resurrection on earth doesnt come till tomorrow night, we now begin to celebrate Christs victory over hell and death. Holy Friday Vespers: Removal of Christ from the Cross Time: 11:30am - 12:30pm Followed by decoration of the Bier 3. Uphold me according unto Thy word, and give me life: and turn me not away in shame from mine expectation. The whole earth quaked with fear, O Word, and the daystar hid its rays, when Thy great Light was hidden in the earth. Every Purim for the past 35 years we have published a Purim parody edition of The Kustanowitz Kronikle, covering virtually every aspect of Jewish life, and including parodies of hundreds of popular movies.. It is this divine human love which is contemplated and praised over the tomb of the Savior. 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Of old Joshua made the sun stand still, as he smote the heathen tribes; but Thou hast blotted out its light, whilst casting down the prince of darkness. This follows an ancient Mediterranean custom of women singing laments at peoples' deaths. Let the proud be ashamed, for they have transgressed against me unjustly: but I will meditate on Thy commandments. And He has failed. This message will attempt to identify those essentials and help us latch onto them. Right it is indeed . the Vesperal Liturgy and 12 Passion Gospels of Holy Thursday; the Royal Hours, Vespers, and Lamentations of Holy Friday; the Vesperal Liturgy of Holy Saturday morning; Great and Holy Pascha; and . The women bearing myrrh came, O Savior, to Thy tomb and offered Thee sweet spices. In place of the regular psalm reading the entire Psalm 119 is read with a verse praising the dead Saviour chanted between each of its lines. Teach me goodness, discipline and knowledge: for I have believed in Thy commandments. . he called out to the guard: Pierced by a spear, O Savior, from Thy side Thou pourest out life upon Eve, the mother of all the living, who banished me from life; and Thou quickenest me also with her. According to the order of the Lenten Triodion, the Matins service for Holy and Great Saturday is served Friday night, or on Friday evening as is the practice in most parish churches. We all process out of the church, when that is possible, following Christs Body laid out on the Epitaphion in the way people lay out their departed at funerals. Suffering and the Crucified Christ, by Fr. Greek / English. For deep down even at His lowest moment when it felt to Him like His Father had forsaken Him, He knew what He was doing and what would be the outcome. E-mail: archdiocese@antiochian.org. This derives from an ancient Mediterranean custom of women singing laments at peoples deaths. 2020 Orthodox Statistics in America: Bad News and Good News. Many are they that persecute and afflict me: yet have I not turned aside from Thy testimonies. The first service belonging to Holy Saturdaycalled in the Church the Blessed Sabbathis the Vespers of Good Friday. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for Thy testimonies are my meditation. I have hated and abhorred injustice: but Thy law have I loved. I am grievously wounded and my heart is torn, O Word, as I behold Thee slain unjustly', said the All-pure Virgin weeping. One of the Trinity endures a shameful death in the flesh on our account; the sun trembles and the earth quakes. Sinners have laid a snare for me: yet have I not gone astray from Thy commandments. The Lamentations Service - Great and Holy Friday Evening. Adam was afraid when God walked in Paradise, but now he rejoices when God descends to hell. The Orthodox Celebration of Great and Holy Saturday. With fear and reverence noble Joseph lays Thee out for burial as a corpse, O Savior, and he looks with wonder on Thy dread form. When she received Thee in her bosom, O Creator and Savior, the earth shook in fear, and with her quaking she awoke the dead. A unique feature of the service is the chanting of the Lamentations or Praises, which consist of numerous verses chanted by the clergy and congregation interspersed between the verses of Psalm 119 from the Bible. 2nd Saturday of the Great Fast. The multitude of the heavenly powers makes haste with Joseph and Nicodemus, and within a narrow sepulchre they enclose Thee whom nothing can contain. She suffered as no other mortal on earth has ever suffered. On the Epitaphion see His Body lying stone cold dead, with His Blessed Virgin Mother and Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus and the Holy Women and often even holy angels mourning. Lamentations Service I am a companion of all them that fear Thee and keep Thy commandments. By keeping Thy words. Now art Thou hidden like the setting sun beneath the earth and covered by the night of death: but, O Savior, rise in brighter dawn. I go to prepare a place for you, so that where I am, you may be also. And thats all there is to it. Meat-fare Week. O Jesus, King of all, who hast set measures to the earth, Thou dost go this day to dwell in a narrow grave, raising up the dead from their tombs. THE WOMAN AND ACTS 2:38 An elderly woman had just returned to her home from a church service when she was startled by an intruder. Therefore, let us keep the Feast. We cant wait. In the Slavic practice, at the end of Vespers, Compline is immediately served, featuring a special Canon of the Crucifixion of our Lord and the Lamentation of the Most Holy Theotokos by Symeon the Logothete. yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! O bloodthirsty people, jealous and vengeful! O hills and valleys, the multitude of men, and all creation, weep and lament with me, the Mother of our God.. 1999-2018 OrthoChristian.comWhen reposting our material a link to OrthoChristian.com is required. The 40th day. I have kept Thy commandments and Thy testimonies: for all my ways are before Thee, O Lord. O the folly of those who killed the prophets and slew Christ! Uplifted on the Cross, Thou hast uplifted with Thyself all living men; and then descending beneath the earth, Thou raisest all that lie buried there. Before the service begins, a tomb is erected in the middle of the church building and is decorated with flowers. Heres what were going to miss again: Christs Temptations, 283. Truly, as Elder Simeon had prophesied, A sword will pierce your own heart also.. Deal with Thy servant according unto Thy mercy, and teach me Thy statutes. How great the joy, how full the gladness, that Thou hast brought to those in hell, shining as lightning in its gloomy depths. In a robe of mockery ye clothe Him who ordered all things, who adorned the heavens with stars and the earth with wonders. 370. As the mother of a foal, the Virgin gazed on Thee in grief when she saw Thee hanging on the Tree. I have not departed from Thy judgements: for Thou hast taught me. My soul is consumed with the longing that it has for Thy judgements at all times. Salvation is far from the wicked: for they have not sought Thy statutes. Woe is me, my Light! Of old Thou didst bury the pursuing tyrant beneath the waves of the sea. Then he fell, but now he is raised up. Alone among women without pain I bore Thee, my Child', said the Holy Virgin. Unless Thy law had been my study, I should have perished in my humiliation. This is the proper rule regarding the implementation of these hymns according to Metropolitan . When you can get to church again, listen carefully and notice: Throughout these long Lamentations over Christ, the words of lament are put not in our mouths, but in the mouth of His Mother.The Orthodox Church does not focus much on Christ's suffering, great as it was. The Burial Shroud (in Greek, Epitaphios, Slavonic, Plashchanitsa) remains in the center of the church to symbolize Jesuss burial in the new tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. 3. Church Holy Days. We die with Christ in His Church. Service of the Twelve Passion Gospels - Thursday Evening. Judge my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to Thy word. April 24 - Holy Resurrection - PASCHA 10.00AM - Divine Liturgy ~Blessing of Easter Eggs followed by Luncheon in Hall~ Here for the first time comes the clear proclamation of the good news of salvation in Christs resurrection. In obedience to Thine own Father, O Word, Thou hast descended to dread hell and raised up the race of mortal men. So already in tonights Epistle (1 Corinthians 5:6-8) we begin the celebration: Christ, our Passover has been sacrificed for us. As a lifeless corpse He is laid in the earth, and it quakes in terror, unable to endure His presence. It is right to magnify Thee, Creator of all, for through Thy Passion we are freed from passions and corruption. That for my sweet Jesus I may rightly mourn. Christ our God! As they sang the praise of Thy submissive love! How sweet are Thy words unto my taste! O Virgin pure and undefiled, who hast given birth to our Life, bring to an end the scandals of the Church and in thy love grant her peace. He who granted me the breath of life is carried lifeless in Joseph's hands to burial. 13. . Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, and I shall learn Thy commandments. Joseph and Nicodemus now sing hymns of burial to the dead Christ; and with them sing the seraphim. a day of rest or prayer. We are still with Him. If you cannot, please find yourself a place to worship live-stream tonight. O Son of God and King of all, my God and my Creator, how hast Thou accepted suffering? Orthros. The annual anniversary. I have run the way of Thy commandments: for Thou hast enlarged my heart. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. The seraphim, O Savior, beheld Thee on high, united inseparably with the Father, yet they saw Thee below lying dead in the tomb; and they trembled with fear. Pilate said to them, You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how. So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard. Do not lament me, O Mother - Russian . This service includes what are called the Lamentations of the Theotokos. joining those in hell as the almighty Lord., Ode 5 Seven times a day have I praised Thee because of the judgements of Thy righteousness. May the very grave-clothes and the napkin put you to shame at Christ's Resurrection. O Thou who hast fashioned Eve from Adam's side, Thy side was pierced and from it flowed streams of cleansing. Thou who art Life wast laid in a tomb, O Christ: by Thy death Thou hast destroyed death and art become a fountain of life for the world. Those in the tombs shall awake. My soul has cleaved unto the dust: quicken Thou me according to Thy word. O my sweet springtime, O my sweetest Child, where has all Thy beauty gone?. At the very end, the Lamentations service almost becomes a celebration. For I am become like a wineskin in the frost; yet have I not forgotten Thy statutes. Epitaphios threnos (funerary lamentation) is the name of the matins of Holy Saturday, served in Good Friday evening. The Kind and Gentle Bishop who Refused to be Silenced Saint Meletios of Antioch. . We pray for the departed, dont we? Ode 1 The Slav practice usually reverses this order, with the choir singing the Psalm verses, while the priest reads the Praises. Joseph once fled with Thee, O Savior, and now another Joseph buries Thee. Bill's Orthodox Blog Orthodoxy from the Third Coast, Saints, Seasons, Society, Sins, plus Travels mostly to Greece and who knows what next? But then quickly, we return to the Tomb on earth (Matthew 27:62-66), with a great stone still sealing the door, and we wait just a little while longer. My soul shall live, and it shall praise Thee: and Thy judgements shall help me. Genesis 2:20-3:20. Let Thine hand be near to save me: for I have chosen Thy commandments. By Thy Resurrection give peace to the Church and salvation to Thy people. O My Life and My Christ The Church calls this day the Blessed Sabbath. We follow Christ into death our death, His death into the darkness, alone yet not alone. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore has my soul sought them. Thou hast slept, O Christ, a life-giving sleep in the tomb, and aroused mankind from the heavy slumber of sin. The First Sunday of Lent: a Fast and a Feast, 371. Basil the Great 11.300AM - Paschal Matins. At the afternoon service, Jesus dies on the cross. Weep not, O Mother, for I suffer this to set at liberty Adam and live.. O thrice-blessed Joseph, bury the body of Christ, the Giver of Life. Michael Gelsinger later became a priest and died at the Greek Orthodox Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Brookline, MA. Rather tonight we focus on the laments of his Blessed Mother, for she did not know. Even her Sons disciples had turned away in doubt and fear. The law of Thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. We will see that tomorrow in our Paschal icon, and then for the next Forty Days we will sing the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. O how I have loved Thy law, O Lord! To renew the broken nature of mortal men, willingly have I been wounded in the flesh by death. They begin in the normal way with the singing of God is the Lord, the troparion The Noble Joseph, and the following troparia: When Thou didst descend to death 0 Life Immortal, Thou didst slay hell with the splendor of Thy Godhead! Providently bringing Thee sweet spices, O my Christ, the Myrrh-bearers drew near. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Brothers and sisters, if you are with Jesus Christ, do not fear death. our way of saying that when people die they have only gone on a journey. Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, Rev. Life-giver and Savior, Thou hast destroyed hell: to Thy power be glory! The centurion knew Thee to be God, though Thou wast dead. but with the maidens let us sing to the Lord, I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Thy words. The earth, O Lord, is full of Thy mercy: teach me Thy statutes. And my study was in Thy commandments, which I have loved exceedingly. "In a grave they laid Thee . When shall I see Thee, Savior, Light eternal, the joy and gladness of my heart? cried the Virgin in her bitter grief. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? Thou hast gone down beneath the earth, O Creator of light, and with Thee the sun's light has also set; creation is seized with trembling and proclaims Thee the Maker of all. This week is called great not because these days or hours are more exalted but because the great, portentous and extraordinary deeds of our Savior were accomplished during this week, but especially on this day. Both now. Tremble, O earth! Out of Thy side, as from a single source, there flows a double stream; and drinking from it we gain immortal life. This is the beautiful St. Nicholas Choir chanting the lamentations. Behold the disciple whom Thou hast loved and Thine own Mother, O my sweetest Child, and do Thou speak to them, cried the pure Virgin weeping. Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet Thy commandments are my study. We magnify Thee, Jesus our King: we honor Thy burial and Thy sufferings, whereby Thou hast saved us from corruption. The mind is affrighted at Thy dread and strange burial. Nail my flesh with the fear of Thee: for I am afraid of Thy judgements. I rose up before it was dawn, and cried: I have hoped in Thy word. All Rights Reserved. The beginning of the procession with the epitaphios at the end of Matins. O marvelous wonder!

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