For Orthodox Christians, the Friday before Easter Sunday,
Good Friday, is one of the most solemn days of the year. Commonly practiced
throughout Christianity, Good Friday is mourned as the day Jesus was persecuted
by the Jews. Although many Christian sects celebrate this day, what is uniquely
Orthodox is the funeral procession with the ‘Epitaphio’ that each parish enacts
in order to represent Christ’s funeral. The solemnity of the day is felt by
all, as they are to fast from meat, dairy, and olive oil in order to share in
the suffering of Christ, and in the evening, members gather at their local
church in order to take part in the procession. According to Orthodox
tradition, “the divine services of Great
Friday with the richness of their ample Scripture lessons, superb hymnography
and vivid liturgical actions bring the passion of Christ and its cosmic
significance into sharp focus. The hymns of the services on this day help us to
see how the Church understands and celebrates the awesome mystery of Christ's passion
and death.” Therefore, this holy service and procession allow a deep connection
to Orthodox religion and faith through participation of all members.
In these videos, one can see the Good
Friday service at Holy Cross Church in Whitestone, NY. The procession spans a
several block radius with over a hundred Orthodox Christians walking behind the
Epitaphio, the representation of the coffin of Jesus, while holding lit
candles. The Epitaphio, beautifully decorated with flowers, is carried by men
in the Church, while the parish priest chants in commemoration of Christ. The outside
community can even be seen participating by standing outside their homes or
stores in reverence. This procession is difficult to accomplish in a bustling
urban area, but as can be seen by the flashing lights, the procession is led by
the NYPD. This shows the characteristically American protection of religious
expression and liberty. That this act of faith can be openly expressed and
protected is a culmination of the inalienable rights that Americans enjoy.
The Good Friday procession allows
Orthodox Christians in the community to actively participate in their faith,
especially where they would not have otherwise. Whether they are avid
churchgoers, or only attend services during the major holidays, those in
attendance feel a connection to Christianity in that moment. It allows Orthodox
immigrants and American-born members alike to stay rooted to their ethnic
religion, especially since a majority of the service is performed in the native
language. Even those officially unaffiliated to the Orthodox faith are
encouraged to take part in a relationship with this religious practice. Not
only does it bring members to the church, it also brings them together as one
community celebrating the life and death of Christ. They stand in solid
commemoration and mourning for the pillar of their faith. Like the procession
for our Lady of Guadalupe, this day is the ultimate expression of Orthodox
Christians’ connection with Christ and their faith.
By looking at this video and
procession as a text, many can come to understand and realize the great and
holy significance that this holiday holds for Orthodox Christians. It would be
obvious to notice the great reverence that these members hold for their Lord and
Savior, and even if not all the members are avidly religious, they understand
the significance and solemnity of the procession. It is a beautifully
passionate and emotional service that participants truly feel.
Source:
http://lent.goarch.org/holy_friday/learn/
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