Journey to Pascha Series; Great and Holy Wednesday (Sung on Tuesday Evening)

 Great and Holy Wednesday – The Anointing of Jesus and the Betrayal of Judas

Holy Wednesday’s Bridegroom Matins focuses on the anointing of Christ by the sinful woman (Luke 7:36-50) and the betrayal of Judas Iscariot (Matthew 26:14-16). These events highlight themes of repentance, love, betrayal, and the preparation for Christ’s Passion.

1. The Anointing of Christ by the Sinful Woman (Luke 7:36-50):
   
   

• In this story, a woman of ill repute anoints Jesus with expensive ointment, weeping and washing His feet with her tears. Jesus commends her for her great love and repentance, contrasting her genuine repentance with the self-righteousness of the Pharisees.
  
  

• Theologically, this act of love and repentance is understood as a model of the kind of humility and sincerity that Christ calls all believers to exhibit in their relationship with Him. It’s a reminder that repentance and love for Christ are central to the Christian journey, especially as one approaches His Passion

Tone 4 Kathisma Hymn (following Kathisma 15)

Deceitful Judas,
burning with love of money,
deceitfully plotted to betray You, O Lord,
the treasury of life.
He drunkenly runs to the Jews
and says to those transgressors:
“What will you give me, and I shall deliver Him to you, that He may be crucified?”

1. The Betrayal of Judas (Matthew 26:14-16):
   
   

• Judas’ betrayal is a stark contrast to the woman’s act of love. Judas, who had walked with Christ, chose to betray Him for thirty pieces of silver. This is a profound moment that reflects the depths of human sinfulness and the stark reality of free will.
  
  

• Theologically, Judas’ betrayal is a reminder of the consequences of unrepentant sin. His actions represent the rejection of Christ and the darkness that comes from turning away from God. It also sets the stage for the Passion, which is about the conflict between Christ’s self-sacrificial love and humanity’s betrayal of that love.
  

Tone 3 Kathisma Hymn (following Kathisma 14)

The harlot came to You, O Lover of mankind,
pouring myrrh and tears on Your feet.
At Your command she was delivered from the stench of her evil deeds,
but Your graceless Disciple, though breathing Your grace,
rejected it and wallowed in filth,
selling You in his love of money.
Glory, O Christ, to Your compassion!

Overall Theological Significance of the Bridegroom Matins

The Bridegroom Matins services of Great and Holy Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are filled with powerful theological themes that prepare the Church for the Passion of Christ. These themes include:

1. Vigilance and Preparedness: The need for constant spiritual readiness, as Christ’s return and ultimate judgment are imminent.
   
   

2. Repentance: A deep call to turn from sin, to bear fruit in repentance, and to prepare for Christ’s suffering by embracing humility and love.
   
   

3. Judgment and Faithfulness: The warnings about judgment for unfaithfulness, as seen in the parables of the tenants and the fig tree, and the call to live in accordance with God’s commandments.
   
   

4. The Mystery of the Bridegroom: Christ as the Bridegroom who comes to unite Himself with the Church, His Bride, through His sacrifice, calling all to spiritual preparedness and fidelity.
   
   

In summary, these services deepen the themes of repentance, faithfulness, and the approach of the Passion, as Orthodox Christians prepare to walk with Christ through His suffering, death, and ultimately His victorious Resurrection. The Bridegroom Matins emphasize the need for vigilance in faith, repentance for sin, and readiness for the ultimate encounter with Christ in His Passion.