Good Friday: Mystery and Paradox

Last year I posted on the meaning of “Good” in “Good Friday.” Today my thoughts go more to the stunned awe that the Cross of Christ inspires.

My love for Jesus always makes a reading of the Passion painful, especially read aloud in worship, and most especially if I am the one doing the reading.

Mystery and Paradox

But there is more there, more mystery and paradox, than my personal grief at Jesus’ suffering.

One piece of music that helps me feel this profoundly is an Orthodox hymn that comes in the Good Friday cycle of services.

In a series of parallel phrases like an Old Testament Psalm, the hymn portrays the events of Christ’s passion on a much bigger canvas than personal sadness: the contrast is to Christ’s place in the Godhead, and his role in creation and redemption

Singing Good Friday

My friend Fr. Dustin Lyon first directed me to this meditation, sung in the haunting music of “Tone 6” and with bell-like clarity by Fr. Apostolos Hill. Here is a transcription

Today is suspended upon the tree, He who suspended the land upon the waters.

Today is suspended upon the tree, He who suspended the land upon the waters.

Today is suspended upon the tree, He who suspended the land upon the waters.

A crown of thorns crowns Him who is the King of the angels.

He is wrapped about with the purple of mockery, who wrapped the heavens with clouds.

He received smitings, he who freed Adam in the Jordan.

He is transfixed with nails, who is the Son of the Virgin.

We worship Thy passion O Christ.

We worship Thy passion O Christ.

We worship Thy passion O Christ.

Show us also Thy glorious resurrection.

You can hear this amazing hymn on this YouTube video — the images are all icons and Fr. Apostolos Hill is the audio.

And if you find yourself wanting the CD, you can get it on Amazon through this affiliate link.

May your meditations on the Cross be rich with blessing as you prepare for Christ’s glorious resurrection.