Who is the Bridegoom? A Q&A with Fr. Philip

Over the past couple of days we've been talking about Bridegroom Matins and you might be wondering to yourself, why we we call it that? Who is the Bridegroom and what does he have to do with Holy Week? 


Well, first of all, a bridegroom is just another name for a groom.

Here's a groom!

This is a groom too!
(This is the icon that in our Church right now.)

To answer this question, we'll ask Fr. Philip.

Q: Why do we call it Bridegroom Matins?


Fr. Philip: 
Picture a wedding. The lady in white is the Bride and the man in the tux is the Groom. We call the Church (that's us!) the bride and Christ is the groom (or bridegroom). Christ gives everything of himself, including his life, to His bride, the Church. Just like the women in the Parable of the Ten Virgins, we have heard that the bridegroom is coming! He has come to Jerusalem! That's what Holy Week is, Christ coming to Jerusalem to give himself, to die, for his bride, the Church. 
That is why we call the service Bridegroom Matins, because during it we sing and ear all about the bridegroom, Christ. We hear that is is coming to Jerusalem and that we must be ready for his coming.


Thanks Father!

Think about what Fr. Philip just said. Did you notice the icon of the Parable of the Ten Virgins that we looked at this morning? Do you recognize the Bridegroom in the picture?

Does He look familiar?

That's right. It's Christ! Just like Fr. Philip said.

And now you know why its called Bridegroom Matins!