Today is suspended on a tree He who suspended the earth upon the waters.

Today is suspended on a tree He who suspended the earth upon the waters.
The King of the angels is decked with a crown of thorns.
He who wraps the heavens in clouds is wrapped in the purple of mockery.
He who freed Adam in the Jordan is slapped on the face.
The Bridegroom of the Church is affixed to the Cross with nails.
The Son of the Virgin is pierced by a spear.
We worship Thy passion, O Christ.
We worship Thy passion, O Christ.
We worship Thy passion, O Christ.
Show us also Thy glorious resurrection.
(Hear the Chant)

Today I was not intending to go to church for the Twelve Passion Gospels. It's a very long service, with every one of the the readings of Christ's crucifixion, from the Last Supper, through the Betrayal, Trial, Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord. Our priest and deacon read every one of them. The service is about 3 hours long and frankly, it has been a really long week for me.

I went anyway.

Praise God. The Holy Spirit was truly there and when Father processed through the nave carrying the cross and then hung the icon of Christ on it, my eyes filled with tears for what He had done for me.

Thou wast crucified, O Christ, for my sake, that thou mightest pour forth salvation for me. 

And thy side was pierced with a spear, that it might cause rivers of life to flow in me.

Thou wast fasten with the nails; and so realizing the depth of Thy Passion and

to Thy Crucifixion, O life-giving Savior

Nails and thorns and scourges and spitting and slapping...For the thief on the cross. For the adulterous woman. For the sinful woman. For the Canaanite woman and her daughter.

For me. 

The least I can do is show up.

And be blessed. Oh, so very blessed.

Lord have mercy on me, a sinner.

Relevant Reading
Holy Thursday (List of the Readings of the Twelve Passion Gospels)
Dismas the Penitent Thief
John 12:1-8
Matthew 15:21-27
Mark 14:1-8
Luke 23:39-43
Synaxarion of Great and Holy Wednesday