My two favorite services of Great Lent are the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete, and the services of Holy Friday. The Canon of St. Andrew of Crete is filled with examples from Scripture of separations from God, and it is so penitential in character, not to mention so incredibly beautifully written. It's certainly worthy purchasing a copy of this booklet to read throughout Lent to keep "on track"; at only $6.00, it's very affordable. But the text also available on line in a few different places for those that may want to read a bit before deciding to purchase a copy.
The services of Holy Friday...the Twelve Passion Gospels. It's really something you must experience at least once to understand what it is like. In the services for this day, we hear things like:
He who clothes Himself in light as in a garment, stood naked at the judgement; on His cheek He received blows from the hands which He had formed. The lawless people nailed to the Cross the Lord of Glory. Then the veil of the temple was rent in twain and the sun was darkened, for it could not bear to see such outrage done to God, before Whom all things tremble. Let us worship Him. ...
Today He who hung the earth upon the waters is hung upon the Cross. He who is King of the angels is arrayed in a crown of thorns. He who wraps the heavens in clouds is wrapped in the purple of mockery. He who in Jordan set Adam free receives blows upon His face. The Bridegroom of the Church is transfixed with nails. The Son of the Virgin is pierced with a spear. We venerate Thy Passion, O Christ. Show us also Thy glorious Resurrection. ...
Today the Master of Creation stands before Pilate; today the Maker of all things is given up to the Cross, and of His own will He is led as a lamb to the slaughter. He who sent mann in the wilderness is transfixed with nails; His side is pierced, and a sponge with vinegar touches His lips. The Deliverer of the world is struck on the face, and the Creator of all is mocked by His own servants. How great is the Master's love for mankind! For those who crucified Him, He prayed to His Father,
saying: 'Forgive them this sin, for in their wickedness they know not what they do.'
Very humbling for us indeed.
The Church in Her wisdom uses the word "today" when referring to events in the past in the life of the Church, and I like that. It gives relevance for us Christians today, so we don't sit back and say, "Well, that's informative; it happened a long time ago, though, and it doesn't mean much to me today". It's relevant because each time we celebrate feasts or commemorate things in the Church, it's as if they are happening today; the sadness of the crucifixion of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ should be as pertinent to us as it was for those early Christians, as should the joy and hope that the Resurrection was for those early Christians should be as pertinent to us "modern-day" Christians; maybe even more so, because we have fallen so far away from God.
