On April 18, on the Holy and Great Friday we had two special services in our parish temple. This day is the most sorrowful day in Christian calendar. On Holy Friday we commemorate crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ, His death on the Cross, as well as His burial. St. George Church’s Rector, Archpriest Igor Tarasov served Vespers with the procession of the Shroud at 4:00 PM. At the end of this service holy Shroud had been solemnly carried out from the altar to the middle of the church and placed there for veneration.

At 7:00 PM Fr. Igor celebrated Matins on the Lord’s Tomb. Most of this service was performed before the Shroud placed in the middle of the church. After the Great Doxologion the Rector, altar servers and parishioners performed the procession around the church. The priest carried the holy Shroud resembling burial of the Lord.

At the end of Matins Fr. Igor reminded parishioners of the great and special significance of the Holy Friday and the services of that day. They are unique and unrepeatable, so faithful have to attempt to attend them and to come to the temple to venerate the holy Shroud. Unfortunately, many Christians may be busy with the affairs of their life, so they miss this important opportunity. Fr. Igor pointed out that celebration of the Resurrection of Christ can only be appropriate if we first sympathize with Him in His sufferings and death.