Good Friday

Paschal Triduum:
Good Friday Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion

Whenever possible, the Liturgy of the Lord’s Supper is celebrated on Friday afternoon between noon and three o’ clock. Those who participate in the Liturgy do not offer vespers. According to the most ancient tradition of the Church, the Lord’s Supper is not celebrated on this day. The Liturgy begins in silence as the presiding minister and his assistants process into the Church. They then kneel or prostrate themselves before the Holy Table for a time in silent prayer. The people shall kneel with them. Following this time of prayer, the presiding minister and people shall stand, and the following prayer of the day is offered:
Priest: Father in heaven, by the law of nature, we have borne the likeness of Adam and followed in his way of sin and death. May the sanctifying power of the Spirit help us to bear the likeness of our crucified Savior who died that we might be delivered from sin and death. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Years A, B, and C
First Reading Isaiah 52:13--53:12
Psalm 22: 1, 4-8, 11-19
Second Reading Philippians 2: 5-11
Gospel Reading John 18:12--19:37

When desired, the Passions from the other Gospels may be read at the Liturgy of the Passion. During the reading of the Passion, it is appropriate for the people and assistants to take parts of the reading. At the point where Jesus dies upon the cross, all stop and kneel in silence. A homily follows the reading of the Passion. The Nicene Creed is omitted.

Following the homily, silence is kept for a time. Then the presiding minister, deacon, and other assistants gather before the Lord’s Table to offer the following series of intercessions.

STAND

Priest (P): Beloved in Christ, our heavenly Father sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved; that all who believe in him might be delivered from the power of sin and death, and become heirs with him of everlasting life. We pray, therefore, for people everywhere according to their needs.

After a pause, the deacon begins the first bidding, For the Church:

Deacon (D): Let us pray for the holy Church throughout the world, that our Lord God would defend her against all the assaults and temptations of the adversary and keep her perpetually on the true foundation, Jesus Christ.

P: Let us pray.
D: Let us kneel. (This bidding is followed by a pause for silent prayer.)
Assistant (A): Let us stand.
P: Almighty and everlasting God, your Spirit is the governor and sanctifier of your faithful people. Receive our prayers for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

After a pause, the deacon begins the second bidding, For the Clergy:

D: Let us pray for (N. our pastor, and for) all bishops, presbyters, and deacons, that God who has chosen them to serve as his ministers would give them health and strength to shepherd and guard God’s holy people.

P: Let us pray.
D: Let us kneel. (This bidding is followed by a pause for silent prayer.)
A: Let us stand.

P: Almighty and eternal God, you guide all things by your word and you govern all Christian people. In your love protect the ministers you have chosen for us. Under their guidance deepen our faith and make us better Christians. We make our prayer though Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

After a pause, the deacon begins the third bidding, For the Catechumens and Candidates:

D: Let us pray for our/all catechumens, that our Lord God would open their hearts and the door of his mercy that, having received the remission of all their sins by the washing of regeneration, they may be mindful of their Baptism and throughout their lives remain faithful to Christ Jesus, our Lord.

P: Let us pray.
D: Let us kneel. (This bidding is followed by a pause for silent prayer.)
A: Let us stand.

P: Almighty God and Father, you always grant growth to your Church. Increase the faith and understanding of our/all catechumens that, recalling the new birth by the waters of Baptism, they may forever continue in the family of those whom you adopt as your sons and daughters. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

After a pause, the deacon begins the fourth bidding, For the Nations of the World:

D: Let us pray for all nations and peoples of the earth, and for those in authority among them; especially N. the President of the United States, for members of the Congress and the Supreme Court, for N. the Governor of this state, and for all who serve the common good; that by God’s help may they seek justice and truth, and live in peace and concord.

P: Let us pray.
D: Let us kneel. (This bidding is followed by a pause for silent prayer.)
A: Let us stand.

P: Almighty God, kindle in every heart the true love of peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth; that in tranquility your dominion may increase, until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

After a pause, the deacon begins the fifth bidding, For the suffering, downtrodden, and others in need:

D: Let us pray for all who suffer and are afflicted in body or in mind; for the hungry and the homeless, the destitute and the oppressed; for the sick, the wounded, the crippled; for those in loneliness, fear, and anguish; for those who face temptation, doubt, and despair; for the sorrowful and bereaved; for prisoners, captives, and those in mortal danger; that God, in his mercy, will comfort and relive them, and grant them the knowledge of his love.

P: Let us pray.
D: Let us kneel. (This bidding is followed by a pause for silent prayer.)
A: Let us stand.

P: Gracious God, you are the comfort of all who sorrow and the strength of all who suffer. Let the cry of those in misery and need come to you, that they may find your mercy present with them in all their afflictions; and give us, we pray, the strength to serve them for the sake of him who suffered for us, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

After a pause, the deacon begins the sixth bidding, For those who do not know Christ:

D: Let us pray for all who are outside the Church, that our Lord God would be pleased to deliver them from their error, call them to faith in the true and living God and his only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, and gather them into his family, the Church.

P: Let us pray.
D: Let us kneel. (This bidding is followed by a pause for silent prayer.)
A: Let us stand.

P: Almighty and everlasting God, because you seek not the death but the life of all, hear our prayers for all who have no knowledge of you. Free them from their error, and for the glory of your name, bring them into the fellowship of your holy Church. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

After a pause, the deacon begins the seventh bidding, For a Holy Life and the Gift of Everlasting Salvation:

D: Let us commit ourselves to our God, and pray for the grace of a holy life, that, with all who have departed this world and have died in the peace of Christ, and those whose faith is known to God alone, we may be accounted worthy at the last great day to enter into the fullness of the joy of our Lord, and receive the crown of life.

P: Let us pray.
D: Let us kneel. (This bidding is followed by a pause for silent prayer.)
A: Let us stand.

P: O God of unchangeable power and eternal light, look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery. By the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know the things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Following the intercessions, the Priest goes to the back of the Church and takes a cross into his hands. Processing down the center aisle the pastor stops three times, once in the midst of the people, once at the head of the people, and once before the Lord’s Table, holds the cross high, and then, uncovering more of it each time, and singing each time on a higher note:
Priest: Upon the cross hung the Christ, who died for our salvation.
C: Come let us worship him!

The cross is then placed upon the Holy Table or in some other convenient place, and it may be flanked by two lit candles. The Priest and his assistants shall kneel before the cross in prayer.

KNEEL

During the time of prayer and reflection, the following anthem, known as the Reproaches, is sung, followed by the Trisagion.

V: O my people, what have I done to you?
How have I hurt you? Answer me.

R: O my people, what have I done to you?
How have I hurt you? Answer me.

I led you out of Egypt,
From slavery I set you free.
I brought you into a land of promise:
You have prepared a cross for me. R

I led you as a shepherd,
I brought you dryshod through the sea;
I fed you manna in the desert
You have prepared a cross for me. R

I fought for you in battles,
I won you strength and victory;
Gave you a royal crown and sceptre:
You have prepared a cross for me. R

I planted you, my vineyard,
And cared for you most tenderly;
Looked for abundant fruit and found none:
Only the cross you made for me. R

Then listen to my pleading
And do not turn away from me.
You are my people: will you reject me?
For you I suffer bitterly. R

C: Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
who was crucified for us,
have mercy upon us.

Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
who was crucified for us,
have mercy upon us.

Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
who was crucified for us,
have mercy upon us.

STAND

Following the Trisagion, the hymn "Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle" or another song of triumph in the Passion of Christ is sung.
Following the hymn, the following responsory is said:
P: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
C: because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
P: If we have died with him, we shall also live with him.
C: If we endure, we shall also reign with him.
P: O Savior of the world, by your cross and precious blood you have redeemed us.
C: Save us and help us, we humbly pray.

The Lord’s Prayer is said.

The Liturgy concludes with the following prayer:
Priest: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, we pray you to set your passion, cross, and death between your judgment and our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and grace to the living; rest to the dead; to your holy Church peace and concord; and to us sinners everlasting life and glory; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

No blessing or dismissal is added.

Compline is spoken at a later hour.