THE OFFICE OF VESPERS

VESPERS ON GREAT FRIDAY

    From the customary beginning up to the entrance, the order is according to the rule for daily vespers without reverences and without kathisma. The entrance is made with the Gospel Book, and immediately thereafter, the priest, with the deacon, if there is one: Let us attend. Peace be to all. Wisdom. Attend.

Prokeimenon, Tone 4, Psalm 21:19, 1

    They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
    Verse: O God, my God, attend to me; why hast thou forsaken me?

    And the first reading from Exodus is read.

And again, Let us attend.

Prokeimenon, Tone 4, Psalm 34: 1, 2

    Judge thou, O Lord, them that wrong me. War against them that war against me.
    Verse: Take up armor and shield, and rise up to help me.

    And two readings, one from Job and the other from Isaiah.

And again, Let us attend.

Prokeimenon, Tone 6, Psalm 86:7, 1

    They have laid me in the lowest pit, in dark places, and in the shadow of death.
    Verse: O Lord God of my salvation, I have called in the day and in the night before thee.

    Epistle: to the Corinthians, Sel. 125

    Alleluia, with censing, Tone 1, Psalm 68:1, 21, 24

    Save me, O God, for the waters have come in, even unto my soul.
    Verse: My soul hath waited for reproach and misery.
    Verse: Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not.

    Then Wisdom. Attend. and the Gospel, from Matthew, Selection 101. The litany, Let us all say... and the rest. The Aposticha, and at Glory . . . Now and . . . Thee that coverest thyself . . . , the priest censes round about the altar, upon which lies the Winding-sheet, thrice.

    Lord, now lettest thou . . . , the Trisagion, and Our Father; then the priest, For thine is the kingdom . . ., the troparia, The noble Joseph . . . Glory ... Now and . . . Before the Myrrh-bearing women . . . During the singing of the troparia, the Winding-sheet is brought from the altar and placed on a bier in the center of the church.

    Then, the dismissal and the kissing of the Windingsheet.

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