The Service of Lamentations (Epitaphios Thrinos) was performed in a solemn atmosphere on Holy Friday, April 17, at the All-Holy Patriarchal Cathedral, led by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and in the presence of the clergy of the Patriarchal Court, who during these days of Holy Week have staffed the Patriarchal services due to the forced absence of people at the Patriarchal celebrations.
Emotions reached their high point during the procession of the Epitaphios, inside and outside the Patriarchal Church.
The Service of Vespers of the Deposition from the Cross (Apokathilosis) in an emotional atmosphere
In the morning of the same day, in an atmosphere of profound emotion, the Service of the Great Hours and the Vespers of the Deposition from the Cross (Apokathilosis) were performed, during which the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew officiated.
The handmade embroidered Epitaphios, with the Lord’s incorruptible body, was carried around in the Church and placed inside the flower-decorated Holy Canopy, in the center of Solea, by the Chancellor Andreas and the Archimandrite Vissarion.
The Ecumenical Patriarch was the first to venerate, and was followed by the Clergy of the Patriarchal Court, to whom His All-Holiness distributed the customary flowers.
* * *
As on every Holy Friday, this year also His All-Holiness went to the Holy Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi Valoukli and venerated at the tomb of his immediate predecessor, the Ecumenical Patriarch Demetrios, placed flowers and sang the Trisagion, invoking his holy blessing.
* * *
On the occasion of the days of Great and Holy Week and in anticipation of the feast of the Glorious Resurrection of the Lord, the Ecumenical Patriarch received, during successive telephone conversations, the heartfelt good wishes of Metropolitan Tikhon, the head of the Orthodox Church of America; the former President of the Hellenic Republic, Prof. Prokopis Pavlopoulos; and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Mr. Kon. Vlassis. His All-Holiness thanked his interlocutors for the feelings of love and respect they have for the Holy Great Church of Christ, and bestowed upon them his paternal good wishes and patriarchal blessing. He expressed his desire that the Risen Christ would give health and strength to all people, especially to all who are being put to the test.