In the last week before Easter (on Holy Week), special Orthodox services are held in all Orthodox churches, which recall the last days of the earthly life of Jesus Christ. One such service is Good Friday Matins.
On Good Friday, the Orthodox Church remembers the crucifixion and death of the Lord Jesus Christ. Taking into account the fact that the liturgical diurnal cycle in the Church begins on the evening before the event, Good Friday Matins service is celebrated on Thursday. This service in the language of the church charter is called the follow-up of the saving passions of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Usually a matins worship service with the reading of the 12 passionate gospels (which is why the service is called the worship of the 12 passionate gospels) begins at six o’clock on Thursday. In some parishes, worship can begin at five in the evening.
Judging by the name, the main feature of the Matins of Great Friday Matins is the reading of 12 passages from the Gospels that tell about the passions (sufferings) of Jesus Christ, as well as his crucifixion and death. Excerpts from all four Gospels are read at the service, since all four evangelists contain narratives about the sufferings of the Lord, because it was through this, according to the belief of the Church, that salvation was granted to man.
All 12 Gospel passages are evenly distributed after matins. These readings of scripture are a major part of Good Friday Matins. It is worth noting that the Gospels are not read in the altar, as is customary, but in the center of the temple.
In addition to reading the passionate Gospels, there is another unique feature in worship. After reading the first five passages of the sacred texts, the choir sings (or the psalm reader reads out) special prayers called antiphons. They reveal the deep spiritual meaning of the events of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
There is a pious tradition in Russia to listen to the reading of the Gospels with lit candles. After reading the last passage of the New Testament, some believers do not put out the candles, but try to keep the fire and bring it to their home. Lamps are lit with this fire. Some with the help of holy fire depict small signs of the cross on the jambs located above the front door.
