In today’s sermon (for St Thomas Sunday) Fr John drove home the doctrinal fact that Orthodoxy celebrates, today, the sacredness of the Human Body. It was not enough for Jesus to be a ghost, that rose from the dead, or, as the modern ironic and irreverent and blasphemous people say, “Zombie Jesus.” Jesus had to be someone for St Thomas to touch, someone with a body, with wounds. SOmeone that you could “See that it is I”. We are not the Ghostly People of God: we are the living people of God. When body and life separate, both are a mere shell. We – human beings – need flesh and spirit to be what God made us to be, even in our fallen state, but just as much in our Glorified State of which Jesus is the first fruits. And as he is, so shall we be – not amorphous, ghostly beings, but “Touch, and handle. See that it is I.”

It’s been rumbling around in my head all day and I know somehow it’s connected to Orthodoxy’s objections to:

Body Mutilations,
Tattoos.
Gay Sex.
Gender “reassignment”.

And equally:

The Male Priesthood.
The Pro Life teachings.

The human body actually has something it it that is, personally, important. Biology is not destiny, as such: it is personhood, however.

The Daily Office readings from the AWRV together with other devotional material.

•  Saturday within the Octave - MP - EP - Martyrology.
•  Sunday within the Octave, Low Sunday - MP - EP - Martyrology.
•  Monday Saints Philip and James, Apostles (Trans from 1 May) - MP - EP - Martyrology.
•  Tuesday Invention of the Holy Cross (Trans from 3 May) - MP - EP - Martyrology.
•  Wednesday Feria - MP - EP - Martyrology.
•  Thursday Feria - MP - EP - Martyrology.
•  Friday Feria - MP - EP - Martyrology.
•  Saturday Feria (St Venantius M) - MP - EP - Martyrology.

•  Easter Day - MP - EP - Martyrology.
•  Monday within the Octave - MP - EP - Martyrology.
•  Tuesday within the Octave - MP – EP - Martyrology.
•  Wednesday within the Octave - MP - EP - Martyrology.
•  Thursday within the Octave - MP - EP - Martyrology.
•  Friday within the Octave - MP - EP - Martyrology.
•  Saturday within the Octave - MP - EP - Martyrology.

In the Eastern tradition, regular hourly prayers are suspended through bright week (from Pascha until the following Saturday). During that time the following Paschal Hours are read for all the “minor” hours – The midnight office, Prime, Terce, Sext and None and Compline – during the day (Matins, Vespers are also in special format). Another interesting tradition is that no psalms are read: because they are viewed as all prophecy that is now fulfilled.

If you wish, I think these prayers would make a wonderful addition for Easter Week, as well as throughout the 50 days. Most of the prayers are repeated – traditionally when prayers are repeated thrice (Such as the prayer “Holy God, Holy Mighty”) the sign of the cross is made at the beginning of each prayer. I’ve also marked the sign of the cross (+) at places where it is traditionally made in the Eastern Rite. Note the tones – if you are familiar with Orthodox Chant, these can be chanted, if not, just read ‘em!

There is also a PDF from the Metropolitan Cantor Institute, with the hours set to music in western notation.

+Through the prayers of our fathers and mothers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us. Amen.

+Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and on those in the tombs bestowing life.(3x)

+Having beheld the resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only Sinless One. We worship Thy cross, O Christ, and Thy holy Resurrection we hymn and glorify; for you are our God, and we know no other besides you, and we call upon your name. O come, all you faithful, let us worship Christ’s holy Resurrection, for behold, through the Cross joy has come to all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, we hymn His Resurrection; for, having endured crucifixion, He has destroyed death by death. (3x)

The Hypakoe, eighth tone:
Before the dawn, the women came with Mary, and found the stone rolled away from the tomb, and heard from the angel: why do you seek He who lives in everlasting light here among the dead, as though He were a mortal? Behold the grave-clothes. Go quickly and proclaim to the world that the Lord is risen and has slain death. For He is the Son of God Who saves all.

The Kontakion, eighth tone:
Though you descended into the grave, O Immortal One, you destroyed the power of Hell. And you rose as victor, O Christ God, calling to the myrrh-bearing women: Rejoice! And giving peace unto your apostles: you grant resurrection to the fallen.

And these Troparia, eighth tone:
You were in the grave bodily, but in Hell with your soul as God: in Paradise with the thief, and on the throne with the Father and the Spirit. You fill all things, O Christ the Inexpressible.

+Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Your tomb is shown to be life-giving and more beautiful than Paradise, and truly more resplendent than any royal palace, O Christ, the source of our resurrection!

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O sanctified and divine tabernacle of the Most High, rejoice! For through you, O Theotokos, joy is given to those who cry: Blessed are you among women, O all-pure Lady.

Lord, have mercy (40x).

+Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

+More honourable than the Cherubim, more glorious than the Seraphim, who without corruption gave birth to God the Word, True Theotokos, we magnify you.

O Lord Jesus Christ our God, for the sake of the prayers of your most pure Mother, of our holy and God-bearing fathers and mothers, and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen.

[For Compline add this prayer:

Blessed are you, Master almighty, who have given light to the day by the light of the sun and made the night bright with rays of fire, who have granted us to pass through the length of the day and draw near to the beginnings of the night. Hearken to our entreaty and that of all your people, and forgive all of us our sins voluntary and involuntary and send down the multitude of your mercy and acts of compassion upon your inheritance. Wall us about with your holy Angels. Arm us with the weapons of your justice. Surround us with the rampart of your truth. Guard us with your power. Deliver us from every calamity and every assault of the adversary. Grant us that the present evening with the coming night may be perfect, holy, peaceful, sinless, without stumbling, and dreamless and likewise all the days of our life; at the prayers of the holy Mother of God and of all the Saints who have been well pleasing to you since time began. Amen. ]

+Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and on those in the tombs bestowing life.(3x)

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

+May Christ our true God, Who rose from the dead, trampling down death by death bestowing life on those in the tombs, through the intercessions of His most Pure Mother, and of all the saints have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and the Lover of All.

Here is another view of this church:

Today’s Station: Santa Maria Maggiore

Missa: UT IN NOMINE Jesu

INTROIT: Galatians 6: 14
But it behooves us to glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ : in whom is our salvation, life, resurrection : by whom we are saved and delivered. (Ps. 66. 2) May God have mercy on us, and bless us : may He cause the light of His countenance to shine upon us; and may He have mercy on us.
REPEAT: But it behooves…

COLLECT:
Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that we who are continually afflicted by reason of our excesses, may be delivered through the passion of Thine only-begotten Son. Who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God world without end. Amen

LESSON: Isaias 62: 11; 63: 1-7
Thus saith the Lord God: Behold the Lord hath made it to be heard in the ends of the earth, tell the daughter of Sion: Behold thy Saviour cometh: behold his reward is with him, and his work before him. Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bosra, this beautiful one in his robe, walking in the greatness of his strength. I, that speak justice, and am a defender to save. Why then is thy apparel red, and thy garments like theirs that tread in the winepress? I have trodden the winepress alone, and of the Gentiles there is not a man with me: I have trampled on them in my indignation, and have trodden them down in my wrath, and their blood is sprinkled upon my garments, and I have stained all my apparel. For the day of vengeance is in my heart, the year of my redemption is come. I looked about, and there was none to help: I sought, and there was none to give aid: and my own arm hath saved for me, and my indignation itself hath helped me. And I have trodden down the people in my wrath, and have made them drunk in my indignation, and have brought down their strength to the earth. I will remember the tender mercies of the Lord, the praise of the Lord for all the things that the Lord hath bestowed upon us.

GRADUAL: Psalm 68: 18, 2, 3
And turn not away thy face from thy servant: for I am in trouble, hear me speedily. V. Save me, O God: for the waters are come in even unto my soul. I stick fast in the mire of the deep and there is no sure standing. I am come into the depth of the sea, and a tempest hath overwhelmed me.

COLLECT:
O God, Who willed that Thy Son should undergo for us the ignominy of the cross to deliver us from the power of the enemy : grant to us Thy servants, that we may obtain the grace of His resurrection. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God world without end. Amen

2nd COLLECT: Against the persecutors of Holy Mother Church
We beseech Thee, O Lord, mercifully to receive the prayers of Thy Church : that, all adversity and error being destroyed, she may serve Thee in security and freedom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God world without end. Amen

EPISTLE: Isaias 53: 1-12
In those days Isaias said: Who a hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? And he shall grow up as a tender plant before him, and as a root out of a thirsty ground: there is no beauty in him, nor comeliness: and we have seen him, and there was no sightliness, that we should be desirous of him: Despised, and the most abject of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with infirmity: and his look was as it were hidden and despised, whereupon we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our infirmities and carried our sorrows: and we have thought him as it were a leper, and as one struck by God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our iniquities, he was bruised for our sins: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray, every one hath turned aside into his own way: and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was offered because it was his own will, and he opened not his mouth: he shall be led as a sheep to the slaughter, and shall be dumb as a lamb before his shearer, and he shall not open his mouth. He was taken away from distress, and from judgment: who shall declare his generation? because he is cut off out of the land of the living: for the wickedness of my people have I struck him. And he shall give the ungodly for his burial, and the rich for his death: because he hath done no iniquity, neither was there deceit in his mouth. And the Lord was pleased to bruise him in infirmity: if he shall lay down his life for sin, he shall see a longlived seed, and the will of the Lord shall be prosperous in his hand. Because his soul hath laboured, he shall see and be filled: by his knowledge shall this my just servant justify many, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I distribute to him very many, and he shall divide the spoils of the strong, because he hath delivered his soul unto death, and was reputed with the wicked: and he hath borne the sins of many, and hath prayed for the transgressors.

TRACT: Psalm 101: 2-5, 14
Hear, O Lord, my prayer: and let my cry come to thee. Turn not away thy face from me: in the day when I am in trouble, incline thy ear to me. In what day soever I shall call upon thee, hear me speedily. For my days are vanished like smoke, and my bones are grown dry like fuel for the fire. I am smitten as grass, and my heart is withered: because I forgot to eat my bread. Thou shalt arise and have mercy on Sion: for it is time to have mercy on it, for the time is come.

GOSPEL: Luke 22: 39-71 ; 23 1-53
The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

And going out, He went, according to His custom, to the Mount of Olives. And His disciples also followed Him. And when He was come to the place, He said to them: “Pray, lest ye enter into temptation.” And He was withdrawn away from them a stone’s cast. And kneeling down, He prayed. Saying: “Father, if Thou wilt, remove this chalice from Me: but yet not My will, but Thine be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from Heaven, strengthening Him. And being in an agony, He prayed the longer. And His sweat became as drops of blood, trickling down upon the ground. And when He rose up from prayer and was come to the disciples, He found them sleeping for sorrow. And He said to them: “Why sleep you? Arise: pray: lest you enter into temptation.” As He was yet speaking, behold a multitude; and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus, for to kiss Him. And Jesus said to him: “Judas, dost thou betray the Son of man with a kiss?” And they that were about Him, seeing what would follow, said to Him: Lord, shall we strike with the sword? And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answering, said: “Suffer ye thus far.” And when He had touched his ear, He healed him. And Jesus said to the chief priests and magistrates of the temple and the ancients, that were come unto Him: “Are ye come out, as it were against a thief, with swords and clubs? When I was daily with you in the temple, you did not stretch forth your hands against Me: but this is your hour and the power of darkness.” And apprehending Him, they led Him to the high priest’s house. But Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall and were sitting about it, Peter was in the midst of them. Whom when a certain servant maid had seen sitting at the light and had earnestly beheld him, she said: This man also was with Him. But he denied Him, saying: Woman, I know Him not. And after a little while, another seeing him, said: Thou also art one of them. But Peter said: O man, I am not. And after the space, as it were of one hour, another certain man affirmed, saying: Of a truth, this man was also with Him: for he is also a Galilean. And Peter said: Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, as he was yet speaking, the cock crew. And the Lord turning looked on Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, as He had said: Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny thrice. And Peter going out, wept bitterly. And the men that held Him mocked Him and struck Him. And they blindfolded Him and smote His face. And they asked Him saying: Prophesy: Who is it that struck Thee? And blaspheming, many other things they said against Him. And as soon as it was day, the ancients of the people and the chief priests and scribes came together. And they brought Him into their council saying: If Thou be the Christ, tell us. And He saith to them: “If I shall tell you, you will not believe Me. And if I shall also ask you, you will not answer Me, nor let Me go. But hereafter the Son of man shall be sitting on the right hand of the power of God.” Then said they all: Art Thou then the Son of God? Who said: “You say that I am.” And they said: What need we any further testimony? For we ourselves have heard it from His own mouth. And the whole multitude of them, rising up, led Him to Pilate. And they began to accuse Him, saying: We have found this man perverting our nation and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar and saying that He is Christ the king. And Pilate asked Him, saying: Art Thou the king of the Jews? But He answering, said: “Thou sayest it.” And Pilate said to the chief priests and to the multitudes: I find no cause in this man. But they were more earnest, saying: He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place. But Pilate hearing Galilee, asked if the man were of Galilee? And when he understood that He was of Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him away to Herod, who was also himself at Jerusalem in those days. And Herod seeing Jesus, was very glad: for he was desirous of a long time to see him, because he had heard many things of Him; and he hoped to see some sign wrought by Him. And he questioned Him in many words. But He answered him nothing. And the chief priests and the scribes stood by, earnestly accusing Him. And Herod with his army set Him at nought and mocked Him, putting on Him a white garment: and sent Him back to Pilate. And Herod and Pilate were made friends, that same day: for before they were enemies one to another. And Pilate, calling together the chief priests and the magistrates and the people, Said to them: You have presented unto me this man as one that perverteth the people. And behold I, having examined Him before you, find no cause in this man, in those things wherein you accuse Him. No, nor Herod neither. For, I sent you to him: and behold, nothing worthy of death is done to Him. I will chastise Him therefore and release Him. Now of necessity he was to release unto them one upon the feast day. But the whole multitude together cried out, saying: Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: Who, for a certain sedition made in the city and for a murder, was cast into prison. And Pilate again spoke to them, desiring to release Jesus. But they cried again, saying: Crucify Him, Crucify Him. And he said to them the third time: Why, what evil hath this man done? I find no cause of death in Him. I will chastise Him therefore and let Him go. But they were instant with loud voices, requiring that He might be crucified. And their voices prevailed. And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. And he released unto them him who for murder and sedition had been cast into prison, whom they had desired. But Jesus he delivered up to their will. And as they led Him away, they laid hold of one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country; and they laid the cross on him to carry after Jesus. And there followed Him a great multitude of people and of women, who bewailed and lamented Him. But Jesus turning to them, said: “Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over Me; but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days shall come, wherein they will say: Blessed are the barren and the wombs that have not borne and the paps that have not given suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains: Fall upon us. And to the hills: Cover us. For if in the green wood they do these things, what shall be done in the dry?” And there were also two other malefactors led with Him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, they crucified Him there: and the robbers, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. And Jesus said: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” But they, dividing His garments, cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers with them derided Him, saying: He saved others: let Him save Himself, if He be Christ, the elect of God. And the soldiers also mocked Him, coming to Him and offering Him vinegar, And saying: If Thou be the king of the Jews, save Thyself. And there was also a superscription written over Him in letters of Greek and Latin and Hebrew THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. And one of those robbers who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying: If Thou be Christ, save Thyself and us. But the other answering, rebuked him, saying: Neither dost thou fear God, seeing; thou art under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly: for we receive the due reward of our deeds. But this man hath done no evil. And he said to Jesus: Lord, remember me when Thou shalt come into Thy kingdom. And Jesus said to him: “Amen I say to thee: This day thou shalt be with Me in paradise.” And it was almost the sixth hour: and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And Jesus crying with a loud voice, said: “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit. And saying this, He gave up the ghost.” (Here all akneel and pause for a few moments) Now, the centurion, seeing what was done, glorified God, saying: Indeed this was a just man. And all the multitude of them that were come together to that sight and saw the things that were done returned, striking their breasts. And all His acquaintance and the women that had followed Him from Galilee stood afar off, beholding these things. And behold there was a man named Joseph who was a counselor, a good and a just man, (The same had not consented to their counsel and doings) of Arimathea, a city of Judea: who also himself looked for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and begged the body of Jesus. And taking Him down, he wrapped Him in fine linen and laid Him in a sepulchre that was hewed in stone, wherein never yet any man had been laid.

OFFERTORY: Psalm 101: 2-3
Hear, O Lord, my prayer: and let my cry come to thee. Turn not away thy face from me: in the day when I am in trouble, incline thy ear to me. In what day soever I shall call upon thee, hear me speedily.

SECRET:
Receive, O Lord, we beseech Thee, the gift which we offer, mercifully granting that we may obtain that which we celebrate in this mystery of the passion of Thy Son our Lord. Through the same Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God world without end. Amen

2nd SECRET: Against the persecutors of Holy Mother Church
Protect us, O Lord, who assist at Thy mysteries ; that, fixed upon things divine we may serve Thee in both body and mind. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God world without end. Amen

PREFACE OF THE HOLY CROSS
It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God : Who didst establish the salvation of mankind on the tree of the Cross: that whence death came thence also life might arise again, and that he, Who overcame by the tree, by the tree also might be overcome: Through Christ our Lord. Through Whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, the Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the Heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it.

COMMUNION: Psalm 101:10
For I did eat ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping. But thou, O Lord, endurest for ever: and thy memorial to all generations. Thou shalt arise and have mercy on Sion: for it is time to have mercy on it, for the time is come.

POSTCOMMUNION:
Grant to our mind, almighty God, that by the temporal death of Thy Son, represented in these adorable mysteries, we may trust that Thou hast given to us eternal life. Through the same Lord, Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God world without end. Amen

2nd POSTCOMMUNION Against the persecutors of Holy Mother Church
We beseech Thee, O Lord our God, that Thou wouldst not suffer to be exposed to human dangers those to whom Thou givest to rejoice in this divine banquet. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God world without end. Amen

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE:
Look down, we beseech Thee, O Lord, on this Thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed and to be delivered into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer the torment of the cross. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God world without end. Amen

Here is another view:

Missa: NOS AUTEM

INTROIT: Galatians 6: 14
But it behooves us to glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ : in whom is our salvation, life, resurrection : by whom we are saved and delivered. (Ps. 66. 2) May God have mercy on us, and bless us : may He cause the light of His countenance to shine upon us; and may He have mercy on us.
REPEAT: But it behooves…

COLLECT:
Almighty and everlasting God, grant that we may celebrate the mysteries of our Lord’s Passion that we may deserve to receive Thy pardon. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God world without end. Amen

2nd COLLECT: Against the persecutors of Holy Mother Church
We beseech Thee, O Lord, mercifully to receive the prayers of Thy Church : that, all adversity and error being destroyed, she may serve Thee in security and freedom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God world without end. Amen

EPISTLE: Jeremias 11: 18-20
In those days, Jeremias said, O Lord, Thou hast shewn me, and I have known: then thou shewedst me their doings. And I was as a meek lamb, that is carried to be a victim: and I knew not that they had devised counsels against me, saying: Let us put wood on his bread, and cut him off from the land of the living, and let his name be remembered no more. But thou, O Lord of Sabaoth, who judgest justly, and triest the reins and the hearts, let me see thy revenge on them: for to thee have I revealed my cause, O Lord my God.

GRADUAL: Psalm 34: 13,1-2
But as for me, when they were troublesome to me, I was clothed with haircloth. I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer shall be turned into my bosom. V. Judge thou, O Lord, them that wrong me: overthrow them that fight against me. Take hold of arms and shield: and rise up to help me.

GOSPEL: Mark 14: 1-72; 15: 1-46
The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.

Now the feast of the pasch and of the Azymes was after two days: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might by some wile lay hold on Him and kill Him. But they said: Not on the festival day, lest there should be a tumult among the people. And when He was in Bethania, in the house of Simon the leper, and was at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of precious spikenard. And breaking the alabaster box, she poured it out upon His head. Now there were some that had indignation within themselves and said: Why was this waste of the ointment made? For this ointment might have been sold for more than three hundred pence and given to the poor. And they murmured against her. But Jesus said: “Let her alone. Why do You molest her? She hath wrought a good work upon Me. For the poor you have always with you: and whensoever you will, you may do them good: but Me you have not always. She hath done what she could: she is come beforehand to anoint My body for the burial. Amen, I say to you, wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, that also which she hath done shall be told for a memorial of her.” And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests, to betray Him to them. Who hearing it were glad: and they promised him they would give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray Him. Now on the first day of the unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the pasch, the disciples say to Him: Whither wilt Thou that we go and prepare for Thee to eat the pasch? And He sendeth two of His disciples and saith to them: “Go ye into the city; and there shall meet you a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him. And whithersoever he shall go in, say to the master of the house, The master saith, ‘Where is My refectory, where I may eat the pasch with My disciples?’ And he will shew you a large dining room furnished. And there prepare ye for us.” And His disciples went their way and came into the city. And they found as He had told them: and they prepared the pasch. And when evening was come, He cometh with the twelve. And when they were at table and eating, Jesus saith: “Amen I say to you, one of you that eateth with Me shall betray Me.” But they began to be sorrowful and to say to him, one by one: Is it I? Who saith to them: “One of the twelve, who dippeth with Me his hand in the dish. And the Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of Him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man shall be betrayed. It were better for him, if that man had not been born.” And whilst they were eating, Jesus took bread; and blessing, broke and gave to them and said: “Take ye. This is My body.” And having taken the chalice, giving thanks, He gave it to them. And they all drank of it. And He said to them: “This is My blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many. Amen I say to you that I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine until that day when I shall drink it new in the kingdom of God.” And when they had sung an hymn, they went forth to the mount of Olives. And Jesus saith to them: “You will all be scandalized in my regard this night. For it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep shall be dispersed. But after I shall be risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.” But Peter saith to him: Although all shall be scandalized in thee, yet not I. And Jesus saith to him: Amen I say to thee, to-day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny Me thrice.” But He spoke the more vehemently: Although I should die together with thee, I will not deny thee. And in like manner also said they all. And they came to a farm called Gethsemani. And He saith to His disciples: “Sit you here, while I pray.” And He taketh Peter and James and John with Him: and He began to fear and to be heavy. And He saith to them: “My soul is sorrowful even unto death. Stay you here and watch.” And when He was gone forward a little, He fell flat on the ground: and He prayed that, if it might be, the hour might pass from Him. And He saith: “Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee: remove this chalice from Me; but not what I will, but what Thou wilt.” And He cometh and findeth them sleeping. And He saith to Peter: “Simon, sleepest thou? Couldst thou not watch one hour? Watch ye: and pray that you enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” And going away again, He prayed, saying the same words. And when He returned, He found them again asleep (for their eyes were heavy): and they knew not what to answer Him. And He cometh the third time and saith to them: Sleep ye now and take your rest. It is enough. The hour is come: behold the Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up: let us go. Behold, he that will betray Me is at hand.” And while he was yet speaking, cometh Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve: and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the ancients. And he that betrayed Him had given them a sign, saying: Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is He. Lay hold on Him: and lead Him away carefully. And when he was come, immediately going up to Him he saith: Hail, Rabbi! And he kissed Him. But they laid hands on Him and held Him. And one of them that stood by, drawing a sword, struck a servant of the chief priest and cut off his ear. And Jesus answering, said to them: “Are you come out as to a robber, with swords and staves to apprehend Me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching: and you did not lay hands on Me. But that the scriptures may be fulfilled.” Then His disciples, leaving Him, all fled away. And a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body. And they laid hold on Him. But he, casting off the linen cloth, fled from them naked. And they brought Jesus to the high priest. And all the priests and the scribes and the ancients assembled together. And Peter followed Him afar off, even into the court of the high priest. And he sat with the servants at the fire and warmed himself. And the chief priests and all the council sought for evidence against Jesus, that they might put Him to death: and found none. For many bore false witness against Him: and their evidences were not agreeing. And some rising up, bore false witness against Him, saying: We heard Him say, I Will destroy this temple made with hands and within three days I will build another not made with hands. And their witness did not agree. And the high priest rising up in the midst, asked Jesus, saying: Answerest thou nothing to the things that are laid to thy charge by these men? But He held His peace and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him and said to Him: Art Thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed God? And Jesus said to him: I am. And you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power of God and coming with the clouds of Heaven.” Then the high priest rending his garments, saith: What need we any further witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy. What think you? Who all condemned Him to be guilty of death. And some began to spit on Him and to cover His face and to buffet Him and to say unto Him: Prophesy. And the servants struck Him with the palms their hands. Now when Peter was in the court below, there cometh one of the maidservants of the high priest. And when she had seen Peter warming himself looking on him, she saith: Thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. But he denied, saying: I neither know nor understand what thou sayest. And he went forth before the court; and the cock crew. And again a maidservant seeing him, began to say to the standers by: This is one of them. But he denied again. And after a, while they that stood by said again to Peter: Surely thou art one of them; for thou art also a Galilean. But he began o curse and to swear, saying: I know not this man of whom you speak. And immediately the cock crew again. And Peter remembered the word that Jesus had said unto him: Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt thrice deny Me. And he began to weep. And straightway in the morning, the chief priests holding a consultation with the ancients and the scribes and the whole council, binding Jesus, led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate. And Pilate asked Him: Art Thou the king of the Jews? But He answering, saith to him: “Thou sayest it.” And the chief priests accused Him in many things. And Pilate again asked Him, saying: Answerest Thou nothing? Behold in how many things they accuse Thee. But Jesus still answered nothing: so that Pilate wondered. Now on the festival day he was wont to release unto them one of the prisoners, whomsoever they demanded. And there was one called Barabbas, who was put in prison with some seditious men, who in the sedition had committed murder. And when the multitude was come up, they began to desire that he would do as he had ever done unto them. And Pilate answered them and said: Will you that I release to you the king of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered Him up out of envy. But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas to them. And Pilate again answering, saith to them: What will you then that I do to the king of the Jews? But they again cried out: Crucify Him. And Pilate saith to them: Why, what evil hath He done? But they cried out the more: Crucify Him. And so Pilate being willing to satisfy the people, released to them Barabbas: and delivered up Jesus, when he had scourged Him, to be crucified. And the soldiers led Him away into the court of the palace: and they called together the whole band. And they clothed Him with purple: and, platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon Him. And they began to salute Him: Hail, king of the Jews. And they struck His head with a reed: and they did spit on Him. And bowing their knees, they adored Him. And after they had mocked Him, they took off the purple from Him and put His own garments on Him: and they led Him out to crucify Him. And they forced one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and of Rufus, to take up His cross. And they bring Him into the place called Golgotha, which being interpreted is, The place of Calvary. And they gave Him to drink wine mingled with myrrh. But He took it not. And crucifying Him, they divided His garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. And it was the third hour: and they crucified Him. And the inscription of His cause was written over: THE KING OF THE JEWS. And with Him they crucify two thieves: the one on His right hand, and the other on His left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith: And with the wicked He was reputed. And they that passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads and saying: Vah, Thou that destroyest the temple of God and in three days buildest it up again: Save Thyself, coming down from the cross. In like manner also the chief priests, mocking, said with the scribes one to another: He saved others; Himself He cannot save. Let Christ the king of Israel come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with Him, reviled Him. And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole earth until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying: “Eloi, Eloi, lamma sabacthani?” Which is, being interpreted: “My God, My God, Why hast Thou forsaken Me?” And some of the standers by hearing, said: Behold He calleth Elias. And one running and filling a sponge with vinegar and putting it upon a reed, gave Him to drink, saying: Stay, let us see if Elias come to take Him down. And Jesus, having cried out with a loud voice, gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in two, from the top to the bottom. And the centurion who stood over against Him, seeing that crying out in this manner He had given up the ghost. said: Indeed this man was the Son of God. And there were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalen and Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joseph and Salome, who also when He was in Galilee followed Him and ministered to Him, and many other women that came up with Him to Jerusalem. And when evening was now come (because it was the Parasceve, that is, the day before the sabbath), Joseph of Arimathea, a noble counsellor, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, came and went in boldly to Pilate and begged the body of Jesus. But Pilate wondered that He should be already dead. And sending for the centurion, he asked him if He were already dead. And when he had understood it by the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. And Joseph, buying fine linen and taking Him down, wrapped Him up in the fine linen and laid Him in a sepulchre which was hewed out of a rock. And he rolled a stone to the door of the sepulchre.

OFFERTORY: Psalm 139: 5
Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the wicked: and from unjust men deliver me. Who have proposed to supplant my steps.

SECRET:
May these sacrifices, O Lord, we beseech Thee, which are accompanied with healing fasts, speedily restore us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God world without end. Amen

2nd SECRET: Against the persecutors of Holy Mother Church
Protect us, O Lord, who assist at Thy mysteries ; that, fixed upon things divine we may serve Thee in both body and mind. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God world without end. Amen

PREFACE OF THE HOLY CROSS
It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God : Who didst establish the salvation of mankind on the tree of the Cross: that whence death came thence also life might arise again, and that he, Who overcame by the tree, by the tree also might be overcome: Through Christ our Lord. Through Whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, the Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the Heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it.

COMMUNION: Psalm 68: 13 14
They that sat in the gate spoke against me: and they that drank wine made me their song. But as for me, my prayer is to Thee, O Lord; for the time of Thy good pleasure, O God. In the multitude of Thy mercy hear me, in the truth of Thy salvation.

POSTCOMMUNION:
May our vices be cured, O almighty God, by Thy holy mysteries, and may we receive everlasting remedies. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God world without end. Amen

2nd POSTCOMMUNION Against the persecutors of Holy Mother Church
We beseech Thee, O Lord our God, that Thou wouldst not suffer to be exposed to human dangers those to whom Thou givest to rejoice in this divine banquet. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God world without end. Amen

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE:
May Thy mercy, O God, purifying us from all deceits of our old nature, enable us to be formed anew unto holiness. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God world without end. Amen