Holy Week & Bright Saturday
background
The week immediately preceding the feast of the Resurrection, a period rich in reminiscences of the ultimate stage of salvation. Following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy on Palm (Hosanna) Sunday, the faithful worshipers reenact, step by step, the last scenes of the life of Christ, with observances gradually rising in solemnity to Holy Covenant Thursday and Great Friday.
In the early days of the Coptic Orthodox church, it was customary to read both the Old and the New Testaments in their entirety during the course of the Holy Pascha Week prayers. This practice continued until the time of Pope Gabriel II (1131-1145), also known as Ibn Turayk, who, with the help of a number of ecclesiastical and biblical scholars, rearranged the readings in a more systematic form.
The new lectionary, called Katameros, consisted of a selection of relevant Old Testament prophecies, Psalms, and corresponding passages from the New Testament, arranged in the light of the events that took place during the last week of the life of Jesus Christ on earth.
A few generations later, this compilation underwent a meticulous recasting at the hands of Butrus, bishop of Bahnasah, for the purpose of making the readings of individual days more evenly distributed over the various Canonical Hours.
The sanctuary (haykal) curtains are drawn, and worship is performed in the main body of the church. It symbolically refers to Christ's crucifixion at Golgotha outside Jerusalem. "So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing abuse for Him" (Heb. 13:12-13).
Basilios, Archbishop. “Holy Week.” Claremont Coptic Encyclopedia, Claremont Graduate University. School of Religion
Spiritual Application
Overview
For the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
I Corinthians 1:18
Throughout this week, the body of Christ stays around Him in His passion and crucifixion, proclaiming “Thine is the power, the glory, the blessings, and the majesty forever, amen!”
Monday: The Tree of Life
The practical event of this day is when Christ, while on His way from Bethany to the temple, cursed the fig tree for bearing showy leaves but no real fruit. The readings are centered around the symbolism of the fig tree, bringing us back to Adam and Eve who tried to cover themselves with leaves after sinning by eating from the fruit of the tree. Similarly, the fig tree represented the Jewish nation that would give outward appearances by practicing the law and rituals, but were living a life of hypocrisy by having no real relationship with God alongside their practices. As Christ said, “This you should have done without leaving the others undone.” (Matt. 23:23)
Christ did not curse the fig tree for not bearing fruit, as it wasn’t even the season for figs, but rather for bearing leaves which are known to come out along with figs, and not actually bearing any fruit. Likewise, we cannot follow Christ to the Cross with complete loyalty if we are carrying the sin of hypocrisy. Once we experience a little suffering, we would quickly flee from Christ, since we would just be giving the appearance of godliness with no real commitment to Christ.
Spiritual Exercise
Christ is stressing the reasons for why He will soon reject His once-chosen people. Let us take this as a lesson to beware of the leaven of the pharisees which rises in appearance and is puffed up. We have to be careful not to let this Holy Week pass us by, going through daily pascha prayers, readings, prostrations, fasting, etc. in a routine fashion, while still living a life of sin outside of the church. Christ is after the heart and not after practicing the law in vain while the heart is far from Him. Let us keep these spiritual practices during this week as an aid and manifestation of our relationship. Let us not forget the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
Tuesday: The Judge of the World
Today Christ speaks of judgement, as a warning to those whose hearts are far from Him. The cursed fig tree is now withered away as a symbol of judgement, for resembling a life of hypocrisy.
Spiritual Exercise
Christ’s teachings today were not just for the pharisees but for us all. It is a reminder to be vigilant with our spiritual lives. The pharisees did not heed the Lord’s warnings for what is to come. Let us take today’s message for ourselves, that Christ will open the door to believers who practice the faith with a genuine heart toward Him. Let us hold the truth of judgement as a reminder that helps us to remain vigilant.
Wednesday: Love and Betrayal
Christ spent this entire day alone in Bethany, hiding from the Jews until the day of the Passover. As the Jews separated the passover lamb until its slaughter day, likewise Jesus separated Himself before offering Himself to be slaughtered as the Passover Lamb.
We also see today the contrast between the love of the sinful woman who offered ointment and tears of repentance on the feet of Christ, and Judas who selfishly criticized the lost cost of the ointment. Judas conspires with the pharisees to turn in Christ in exchange for 30 shekels of silver.
The prophecies revolve around betrayal and the focus on material possessions (e.g. the criticisms of the Israelites in the wilderness). The church dedicates Wednesdays to first degree fasting to keep this betrayal and love in our minds throughout the year, so that we may be careful not to betray Christ and so that we remember to not focus on material lusts.
Spiritual Exercise
Let us take this day to be aware of the times that we betray Christ, and offer up tears of repentance unto Him. Evaluate areas where you are overly materialistic and how this lust has harmed your relationship with Christ. Take today as a message to wake up and forsake worldly distractions that are preventing you from setting aside a holy Pascha Week with Christ.
Holy Thursday: The Bread of Life
The Lamb wanted to eat a lamb with His disciples and take its place. To become the Sacrifice instead of all other sacrifices.
St. Jacob of Serga
Today Christ washed the feet of His disciples and instituted for us the mystery of the Holy Eucharist. This is the day of passage from slavery under the power of sin, to belonging to God under His sovereignty. The prophecies include the passing over the Red Sea by the Israelites from the land of slavery to the promised land as a symbol of the cleansing of the heart from sin to be set aside for God. Judas unworthily partook of the Holy Eucharist and brought condemnation upon himself. The church reminds us of various passages that warn us about doing the same, as when God instructed the Israelites to take the purification process seriously before eating the passover lamb (Num. 19:1-22).
Spiritual Exercise
Take this warning to not become like Judas; to practice the purifying of your hearts before the Holy Eucharist, and to not approach the holy mysteries with a careless heart. Separate yourself from the vanity of the world before you approach the mysteries as you prepare to be united with Christ in holy communion.
Great Friday: The Lamb of God
Christ spends the Eve of Friday vigilant in prayer in the garden of Gethsemane. He is pointed out by Judas and taken up by the pharisees to be condemned. He is mocked and faced trials throughout the night before He is crucified.
Today our Lord is crucified on the cross and buried in the tomb for the salvation of the human race. This day is the pinnacle of Holy Week. For this reason the church dedicates Fridays as well to first degree fasting, as a reminder of Christ's suffering so that we do not forget that He died for our sins and then become slothful throughout the week.
The church chants many hymns with a sad tune and yet with hints of joy, as the church mourns Christ’s crucifixion but rejoices in the salvation of humanity. As the sky became dark from the 6th hour until the 9th hour on this day, the church likewise turns off the lights during this period of the pascha service.
Spiritual Exercise
Contemplate on the deep love of Christ to come down on earth, take flesh and suffer to the point of the cross, and to offer Himself up on our behalf. Christ fulfilled His purpose of coming down on earth to lift the curse of death. Look back at how much you may have become slothful throughout your life and cherish this precious gift of great price. Praise Him with the church saying “The Lord is my strength and my praise; He became to me a sacred salvation!”
Bright Saturday
On Friday night the church spends the entire night praising and remaining by Christ while He is in the tomb. This transitionary period is full of prophecies on people who were delivered from death to life.
The passage from death to life is not just experienced by Christ, but rather by us as well. The church is dressed in white as we rejoice with those who were in Hades and are now being freed from the curse of Adam. Likewise, we rejoice over ourselves as we are soon to be freed from the curse of death alongside Christ through His Holy Resurrection.
The church reads the entire book of Revelations, as it is full of praises to God for His salvation and anticipation for His return.
Spiritual Exercise
Praise is the highest form of worship. Rejoice with the Church and be carried with Her from death to life. We have gone through the long journey of repentance, emptied our hearts from wickedness, accepted Christ to dwell within us as King, and joined with Him throughout His journey of suffering. Now it is time to join with Him in the transition from death to life, from the curse of sin to liberation from sin. During this time of praise, rejoice in this liberation from the evil one.
Rites of the holy week
Monday-wednesday
- The church is decorated in black as we are mourning Christ's suffering.
- No Book of Hours (Agpeya) prayers during this week, as they are replaced with the daily Pascha hours.
- On the 11th hour of Tuesday, the church adds “My Good Savior” to the hymn “Thine is the power…”
- Wednesday night the church refrains from greetings until after Bright Saturday liturgy, so as to remember Judas’ betrayal with a kiss.
holy thursday
- The Lakkan prayer on the water is performed, commemorating Christ’s washing of the disciples’ feet. The highest ranking priest then washes the feet of the congregation.
- The liturgy is celebrated, commemorating the Last Supper.
- Thursday night, the church adds “The Lord is my strength…” to the hymn “Thine is the power…”
great friday
- The church prays one extended pascha from morning until evening.
- The church offers 400 prostrations, 100 in each direction of the church so that Christ may have mercy on all creation and grant us all salvation through His death on the cross.
- The priest performs the burial ritual as the congregation chants the hymn that is on the tune of an ancient pharaonic burial chant, Golgotha
bright saturday
- The curtains are changed from black to white as the church spends in the night with Christ in the tomb with a combination of midnight praises, prophecies, and reading the book of Revelations.
- The church contemplates on the transitionary period from death to life with tunes that transition from the mournful paschal tune to the standard and joyful tunes.
- The Divine Liturgy is then prayed in the morning after reading the book of Revelations, as a form of celebration for His deliverance.
Hymns of holy week
paschal praise
Lord have mercy
Thine is the power, the glory, the blessing, the majesty forever. Amen. Immanuel our God and king.
Thine is the power, the glory, the majesty forever. Amen. My Lord Jesus Christ
My Good Savior (added starting from 11th hour of Tuesday)
The Lord is my strength and my praise; He became to me a sacred salvation. (also added, starting from the Eve of Friday)
Thine is the power, the glory, the blessing, the majesty forever. Amen.
We Beseech our Lord - Ke Eperto
We beseech our Lord and God, that we may be worthy to hear the Holy and Divine Gospel. In wisdom let us attend to the Holy Gospel.
Responses to the Expositions
Introduction to the Expositions
+ Priest: In the name of the Trinity,
+ People: One in essence,
+ Priest: The Father and the Son
+ People: And the Holy Spirit.
Morning Introduction Addition
+ Priest: O true Light,
+ People: Who enlightens,
+ Priest: Every man,
+ People: Who comes into the world.
Conclusion to the Expositions
+ Priest: Christ our Savior
+ People: Has come and has borne suffering
+ Priest: That through His Passion
+ People: He may save us.
+ Priest: Let us glorify Him
+ People: And exalt His name
+ Priest: For he has done us mercy
+ People: According to His great mercy.
conclusion to the litanies
Lord have mercy. (12 times, alternating 3 times on each side)
O King of peace, grant us Your peace, establish for us Your peace, and forgive us our sins.
Lord have mercy. (6 times, alternating 3 times on each side)
Disperse the enemies, of the Church, and fortify her, that she may not be shaken forever.
Lord have mercy. (6 times, alternating 3 times on each side)
Immanuel our God, is now in our midst, with the glory of His Father, and the Holy Spirit.
Lord have mercy. (6 times, alternating 3 times on each side)
May He bless us all, and purify our hearts, and heal the sicknesses, of our souls and bodies.
Lord have mercy. (6 times, alternating 3 times on each side)
We worship You O Christ, with Your good Father, and the Holy Spirit, for You were crucified and saved us.
concluding hymn for pascha
Amen. Alleluia. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and ever and unto the ages of the ages. Amen.
We proclaim and say, O our Lord Jesus Christ, who was crucified on the Cross, trample Satan under our feet. Save us and have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord bless us. Amen. Bless me. Bless me. Lo, the repentance. Forgive me. Say the blessing.
holy thursday
judas
Judas (6) who has broken the law.
With silver, you have sold Christ to the Jews, who have broken the law.
The law breakers took Christ and nailed Him on the Cross at the place of Cranium.
Judas (6) who has broken the law.
Barabas the condemned thief was set free and the Master, the Judge they crucified.
They thrust a spear in Your side, and as a thief they nailed You on the Cross.
They laid You in a tomb, O You, who raised Lazarus from the tomb.
Judas (6) who has broken the law.
For as Jonah stayed three days inside the whale’s belly, also our savior stayed three days. After He died, they sealed the tomb.
Judas (6) who has broken the law.
Truly He rose but the soldiers were not aware that truly the Savior of the world has risen.
He who suffered and died for our sake, O Lord, glory be to You. Amen.
his words - avechinon
A Psalm of David.
His words were softened above oil, And they are arrows.
great friday
this censer (6th hour)
This censer of pure gold, bearing the aroma, is in the hands of Aaron the priest, offering up incense upon the altar.
hymn of the cross
This is He who offered Himself up, as an acceptable sacrifice, on the Cross for the salvation of our race.
His good Father smelled Him at the evening watch on Golgotha.
We worship You, O Christ, with Your good Father, and the Holy Spirit, for You were crucified and saved us. Have mercy on us.
pauline epistle (6th hour) - ti epistoli
An epistle of our teacher Paul; may his holy blessings be with us. Amen.
Paul, the servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed to the Gospel of God.
But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…
Grace and peace be with you all. Amen. So be it.
trisagion mournful melismatic
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Who was crucified for us, have mercy upon us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Who was crucified for us, have mercy upon us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Who was crucified for us, have mercy upon us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of the ages. Amen. O Holy Trinity, have mercy upon us.
the sixth hour litanies refrain
O You who on the sixth day and in the sixth hour was nailed to the Cross for the sin which (our father) Adam dared to commit in Paradise, tear the handwriting of our sins, O Christ our God, and save us.
right hand thief confession
Remember me O my Lord when You come into Your kingdom.
Remember me O my King when You come into Your kingdom.
Remember me O Holy One when You come into Your kingdom.
the ninth hour litanies refrain
O You, who tasted death in the flesh in the ninth hour for the sake, we the sinners, put to death our carnal lusts, O Christ, our God, and deliver us.
pauline epistle (9th hour) - ethve ti
For the resurrection of the dead, those who slept and reposed in the faith of Christ, Lord repose all their souls!
Paul, the servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed to the Gospel of God.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus...
Grace and peace be with you all. Amen. So be it.
the golden censer (9th hour)
The golden censer is the Virgin; her aroma is our Savior. She gave birth to Him; He saved us and forgave us our sins.
o only-begotten
O Only-Begotten, Eternal and Immortal Word of God, who for our salvation did accept all (sufferings). Who was incarnate of the holy Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary.
Who, without change, became Man and was crucified, Christ, God. (Who) trampled down death by death, One of the Holy Trinity, who is glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit, save us.
Holy God, who being God, for our sake, became Man without change.
Holy Mighty, who by weakness showed forth what is greater than power.
Holy Immortal, who was crucified for our sake, and endured death in His flesh, the Eternal and Immortal.
O Holy Trinity, have mercy on us.
your throne - pekethronos
Golgotha” in Hebrew, “Kranion” in Greek, the place where You were crucified, Lord. You spread out Your hands, and two thieves were crucified with You; at Your right, and at You left, You in the middle O good Savior.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The thief at Your right cried out saying: “Remember me, O my Lord; remember me, O my Savior; remember me, O my King, when You come into Your kingdom.”
The Lord answered him in a gentle voice saying: “Today you shall be with Me in My kingdom.”
Now and ever and unto the ages of the ages. Amen.
The righteous Joseph and Nicodemus came and took the Body of Christ, embalmed Him, prepared Him, put Him in a tomb, singing to Him saying:
“Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, who was crucified for us, have mercy upon us.”
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Now and ever and unto the ages of the ages. Amen.
Let us also worship Him crying out saying: “Have mercy on us, O God our Savior, who was crucified on the cross, trample Satan under our feet.”
hymns of bright saturday
psalm 151
Click here for hymn map - Part 1
Click here for hymn map - Part 2
Glory be to our God. Alleluia: Glory be to our God.
I am small among my brothers: and a boy in my father’s house: I tended my father’s sheep.
My hands made an organ: and my fingers tuned a psaltery: Alleluia (3).
And who shall tell my Lord? He is the Lord: He listens to everyone that cries up to Him.
He sent His angel, and took me from my father’s sheep: and anointed me with His anointing oil. Alleluia (3).
My brothers are handsome and great, but the Lord did not take pleasure in them.
I went out to meet the Philistine: and he cursed me with his idols: Alleluia (3).
But I drew his sword which he had, and beheaded him.
And removed reproach from the children of Israel.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory be to our God.
the blessings
The blessings of the evangelist and theologian John the virgin shall come upon this congregation. All say "Amen so be it."
Book of revelations response
He who has an ear to hear let him hear, what the Spirit says to the churches
The tribes
From the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand.
From the tribe of Reuben, twelve thousand.
From the tribe of Gad, twelve thousand.
From the tribe of Asher, twelve thousand.
From the tribe of Naphtali, twelve thousand.
From the tribe of Manasseh, twelve thousand.
From the tribe of Simeon, twelve thousand.
From the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand.
From the tribe of Issachar, twelve thousand.
From the tribe of Zabulun, twelve thousand.
From the tribe of Joseph, twelve thousand.
From the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand.
the foundations
I saw the walls of a city covered with gold, and precious stones and the beautiful jewels.
Our Savior is in its midst crowning with honor those who love Him.
The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony.
Our Savior is in its midst...
The fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius.
Our Savior is in its midst...
The seventh chrystolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz.
Our Savior is in its midst...
The tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.
Our Savior is in its midst...
lord have mercy - festal melismatic
Amen. Lord have mercy (3).