Holy Thursday Evening

The Service of the Twelve Passion Gospels

Tonight, we heard the entire story of Jesus betrayal, capture, trial, torture, and crucifixion. These events are usually referred to as the "Passion Narrative." Each of the 12 Gospels which is read by the priest(s) tells a different part of the story, sometimes even overlapping. We get the full account, told from the perspective of each of the four Gospel writers (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).

Now you might be wondering, why we remember Jesus' Crucifixion on Thursday when He died on Friday? Well, we don't. You might have noticed already that the days of Holy Week have been a little "off-schedule." For instance, Sunday night's service is for Monday, etc. It is the same with this service: the service of Thursday night is actually the Matins (or morning service) of Friday Morning.

The Passion Story

After the the "Last Supper," Jesus gives His disciples one more lesson, in which he tells them about who He is (God's Son), where He is going, (to death, and ultimately to God), and what is going to happen to them once He has die. In fact, Jesus asks God specifically to take care of His disciples--He cared about those with him. After this Jesus and the disciples go to a garden outside of the city and they pray there, but the disciples fall asleep. Suddenly a group of soldiers come to arrest Jesus. He is then taken to see the High Priest and the disciples scatter because they are afraid.

While Jesus is being questioned, Peter, one of the disciples, is asked by a bystander if He knew Jesus and he denies it. Peter does not want to be arrested too! Another person asks Peter the same question and he strongly denies it. Still another person asks Peter if He knew Jesus and then Peter swears and says, "I do not know the man!" Suddenly a rooster crows. Why is this important? Well, Peter has earlier insisted that he would follow Jesus to the end, but Jesus told Peter, "Before the cock crows you will deny me three times." And that's exactly how it happened. Jesus knew that even His closest friends were going to be scared about what was going to happen to them.

After the High Priests have condemned Jesus to death for blasphemy (because He said He was the Son of God!) they give to the Roman authorities, to a man named Pontius Pilate for trial. There Jesus is beaten by soldiers and made to put on a red "royal" robe and a crown of thorns so the soldiers can make fun of Him. Even so, Pilate says that he finds that Jesus is innocent and hasn't done anything wrong! But, the High Priests insist that Jesus has proclaimed Himself King of the Jews, which would mean declaring Himself king instead of the Roman Caesar. Pilate gives into the mob's shouts for crucifixion and hands Jesus over to be put to death.

After each Gospel a candle is lit. (Can you tell what Gospel we  are about to read?)

Jesus is made to carry His cross (with some help from Simon of Cyrene) to a hill outside the city called Golgotha. There is hung on the cross and crucified along with two thieves, who had also been condemned to death. One of the thieves makes fun of Jesus, saying that if he was really the Son of God he should rescue himself from death. The other thief disagrees. He knows that Jesus is innocent, but they are receiving justice for their bad deeds. He asks Jesus if he might be remembered when Jesus goes to His Kingdom. Jesus tells the good thief that "Today, you will be with me in paradise."

After a short while, Jesus looks up to heaven and gives his soul to God. Jesus is dead. A man name Joseph of Arimathea, goes to Pilate and asks for Jesus body in order to bury it and Pilate allows this. Joseph buries Jesus in a new tomb. Then the Jewish leaders ask Pilate to place a guard at the tomb, so the disciples cannot steal away the body, and he does so.

This is where we find Jesus today. In the Church, his icon is still hanging from the cross which has been placed in the middle of the Church. It was carried in a solemn procession by Fr. Philip or Fr. Edward. 

(Sorry, I could not show you much of this. It was very dark in the church)

In some Churches, you will see ribbons around the foot of the cross. It is traditional for some people to mark each of the Gospels with a small knot in a piece of ribbon. They then take these ribbons home to place in their icon corners or to use as bookmarks in their Bibles. It helps to remember this day all year long.

Tonight we will wait with Jesus as he lies in the tomb. We will be with Him, even in death, as He is always with us. Please be with us to pray.

Today's Services

Vespers ("Taking Down") 3PM

Lamentations 6:30PM