Good Friday

Admin
6 days ago
3 min read

Friday 10th April 2026 a.d. - 7pm

Good Shepherd Chapel, Abbotsford

The church was dimmed in deep hues of red and purple, the colours of sorrow and sacrifice. Only three candles flickered upon the altar, their quiet light breaking the stillness of the evening.

In silence, the clergy entered. Without a word, they prostrated themselves before the altar in profound stillness. As they lay low before God, Metropolitan Raffaele began to chant the Hours, his voice moving gently through the darkness. The prayers unfolded slowly, drawing us into the depth of the Passion.

We rose, and Reader Patrick continued the readings of the Hours. The rhythm of chant and silence carried us forward. The Kyrie was sung as Father Mark offered prayers of thanksgiving, and Metropolitan Raffaele prayed for those who had recently fallen asleep in the Lord.

The church was incensed as the Hours continued, the fragrance filling the dim space. The chanting deepened, and the service moved steadily toward the proclamation of the Passion.

The Gospel was proclaimed from St Mark, recounting the trial, humiliation, and crucifixion of Christ. We listened as the events unfolded—the false accusations, the suffering, the mocking, and the Cross.

At the moment of His final breath, everyone fell to their knees. Silence filled the church. As the Gospel continued, we heard of the veil of the Temple being torn in two, and we stood again as His burial was proclaimed.

Metropolitan Raffaele then offered a reflection, speaking of the difference between obligation and true faith. Faith, he said, is not something performed outwardly, but something that transforms the heart.

He reflected on stories of compassion and encounter, drawing from the film Ben-Hur—a reminder of how even small acts of mercy can change the course of a life. When we act, he said, our hearts are shaped. We either grow or we comply.

He spoke of Christ as the true provider, the one who sustains and heals, recalling the lepers who were restored and the quiet power of the words “I Am.”

Quoting from Father Michele’s homily, he reminded us: “Every time we choose the light, we become children of God.” This homily speaks of a personal encounter Father Michele had with God just after his ordination at Pascha.

In a conversation with the Metropolitan, he confessed that he had questioned if he should include this story in his homily: would the people think he was bonkers? But this was the truth - it had happened. The Metropolitan assured him, reminding us all that our faith is built from these occasions; that God acts in our lives - we know God through His presence as we develop our relationship with the Lord.

He then shared an ancient image of Christ as the Pelican, who feeds her young with her own blood—a symbol of sacrificial love. And in that same spirit, he pointed us again to the words of Christ: “Behold your mother.” Even in suffering, Christ gives.

After the Metropolitan’s reflection, the clergy returned to the altar, and the service continued with the solemn procession of the relics of the Holy Cross, carried to each corner of the church. The faithful came forward to venerate the Cross, approaching with reverence and devotion.

The Epitaphios—the icon of Christ laid in the tomb—was then prepared and brought into the centre of the church. Metropolitan Raffaele led the Burial Service, chanting over the image of the Lord.

Then, in procession, we followed the Epitaphios outside, walking together as Metropolitan Raffaele chanted the Trisagion Hymn, before returning inside and passing beneath it—a sign of entering into Christ’s death, and trusting in His promise of resurrection.

Upon returning to the centre of the church, Father Matthew covered the Epitaphios with rose petals and basil, symbols of love, honour, and the hidden victory of the Cross. The Gospel was then proclaimed, recalling the sealing of the tomb.