« The Good Friday Crucifix | Main | Cultural incompatibility? »
April 11, 2004
Maundy Thursday through to Easter
Passiontide to Easter - an intensive and busy haul in any Church of the Catholic or Orthodox tradition. Sometimes it seems we are so busy providing worship and marking the steps along the way to the Cross and to the Resurrection which follows the Cross and Tomb of Good Friday that we are almost in danger of forgetting the importance of each step on that road.
Having been one of those selected to have his feet washed by our Vicar on Maundy Thursday, I have to say that I agree entirely with St Peter - "not my feet only Lord, but my hands and my head as well." It is quite an emotive experience to have someone you know and hold in respect come and perform this simple ceremony for you. I know exactly what the disciples must have felt when Christ did it for them. In a way, though, it prepared me for the role I played in the Solemn Liturgy for Good Friday. Here I was the Sub Deacon at a service which brings a large Crucifix into the Church for the first time since all decorations were stripped out on Maundy Thursday.
The service begins with the three Ministers prostrating themselves facing the bare altar. Prayers are led from the head of the Nave once they stand, and a lengthy passage from the Epistle to the Hebrews is read before the Passion is sung by the Priest and two other "voices" instead of the normal Gospel proclamation. Once the Passion is finished, the Deacon and two Acolytes process via the South Aisle to the West End, while the Sub Deacon and the President move to a position at the head of the Nave and lead the people in the Prayers of Intercession. When these are finished, they return to the Sedillia on the South Side of the great crossing and face West, the contgregation turning with them, as the Deacon begins the acclamation of the Cross.
The Deacon, flanked by the two acolytes now carries in a large (Four feet tall) Crucifix, veiled in purple silk. At the font, he unveiles one arm of the cross and hiolds it aloft to sing "This is the wood of the Cross, on which hung the Saviour of the World" and the congregation respond "Oh come let us worship". He repeats this again at a point midway down the Nave and again at the head of the Nave when the veil is finally removed and the full Crucifix is now displayed. It is placed on a stand fixed to a Priex Dieu and supported in place by the two Acolytes while the Sacred Ministers and then the congregation file forward and kneel at the foot of the cross. Those who wish too may kiss the wood and say a brief prayer.
When all the congegation have venerated the Cross, the Sub Deacon holds it while the Acolytes make their obeisance, and then they escort the Sub Deacon, now carrying the Cross aloft into the Choir, where the choristers have their opportunity to venerate the Cross before it is carried into the Sanctuary and placed in a stand on the High Altar.
While the Cross is being moved, the Deacon and another pair of Acolytes move to the Lady Chapel where the Deacon dons the Humerail Veil and carries the reserved sacrament from its overnight resting place back to the High Altar. Here the President receives the sacrament and, after leading the congegation in The Lord's Prayer and a Collect, distributes the communion bread to the Sacred Ministers and Servers and then to every member of the congregation. When it is finished, he cleanses the Ciborium and leads the congregation in two short prayers. Then all the Ministers and Servers scatter and walk out of the Sanctuary by as many different exits as they can and the Choristers do likewise - all keeping as silent as possible.
We reassemble in a darkened Church on the Eve of Easter - Holy Saturday night. The service begins with three readings and three prayers and a psalm sung unaccompanied. A procession of Thurifer, Crucifer and two acolytes, Sub Deacon, Deacon, and President (Thurible and candles unlit) forms up and moves silently to the West Doors, which are opened as they approach and reveal the newly lit fire - the new "Easter Fire" representing the cleansing light of Christ coming back into the World. As soon as the Ministers, Servers, and Choir are in position at the West End the lights are put out. This is an eery moment as the light of the fire spills in through the West Door and lights the whole length of the Church with its flickering glow.
The fire is blessed, sprinkled with Holy water and coals are used to light the Thurible charcoal which is then charged with incense and the taper is lit which is used to light the great Pascal Candle which has been specially marked with five "grains" of Incense (representing the "wounds") and the symbols of the risen Christ. The candle is carried into the Church and held aloft by the Deacon who intones "Behold the Light of Christ" at which the congregation respoinds "Thanks be to God." A light is now taken from this and the Acolytes' torches are lit, followed by the candles held by the Sacred Ministers and the sister parishes Pascal Candles. The Procession then moves down the Nave to the Screen and great crossing with three "stations" at which the proclamation is repeated and the light taken to more candles until everyone in the congregation is holding a lighted candle.
At this point the Paschal Candle is placed in a special stand next to the pulpit where it will remain for the forty days of the Easter Season. The Exultate is now sung from the Pulpit, and then a great Gloria is sung praising God. The opening of this is accompanied by the ringing of bells, and the organ improvisation which makes use of the noisiest and most glorious stops that are available (which on the Milton Organ is saying plenty!). The Gloria sung, the Gospel is proclaimed from the Pulpit, and then a procession forms and leads the sacred Ministers to the Font. Here, the water is blessed and a bowl is drawn off which the Deacon cariies while the President uses a sprig of fresh Rosemary to dip in the water and sprinkle the congregation and choir and the Easter Garden is blessed. (In Tewkesbury Abbey) a small enclosed Chapel at the rear of the South Aisle is converted at Easter into the Garden Tomb complete with the great stone at the entrance. This same chapel is used at Christmas as the Stable where the Holy Family are displayed in life sized models.) Everyone is then invited to renew their baptism promises and to declare their faith.
Once the Peace has been shared the procession moves to the High Altar and the service continues as the first Mass of Easter.
Easter Day at the Abbey begins with a Mass said in the Tomb chapel itself. This is followed by another said service at the High Altar and then a "parish" Eucharist at the Nave Altar and the Sung High Mass at 1100. Easter Day always finishes with a Solemn Evensong and Procession which ends with the choir standing before the High Altar to sing the Te Deum.
Emotionally it is a bit of a roller coaster ride, but spiritually it is something that goes with you for the rest of the year.
A happy Easter to you all. Christ is risen - he is risen indeed! Allelulia!
May his peace be with you all.
Posted by The Gray Monk at April 11, 2004 03:22 PM