Journey to Pascha Series: Royal Hours (Sung on Great and Holy Friday Morning)

 

The Royal Hours on Holy Friday Morning are a significant and profoundly moving liturgical observance in the Eastern Orthodox Church. They occur on Great and Holy Friday, and while they are part of the larger observance of Christ's Passion, they hold a distinct place in the liturgical life of the Church. These hours consist of readings, hymns, and prayers that reflect on Christ’s suffering, death, and the mystery of salvation.

The Royal Hours are so named because they are more solemn than the typical Hours (Matins, Vespers, and others) and are intended to mark the gravity of Christ’s Passion. They include the First, Third, Sixth, and Ninth Hours of the day, which are traditionally the times at which Christ underwent certain pivotal moments during His crucifixion. The hours are marked by a deep sense of reverence and sorrow but also anticipation for the triumph of the Resurrection.

Overview of the Royal Hours on Holy Friday Morning

The Royal Hours are celebrated in the morning on Holy Friday, typically beginning at 6:00 AM and continuing throughout the morning. These hours correspond to the times of Christ’s Passion, and their readings, prayers, and hymns focus on significant events leading up to His crucifixion. The structure and content of the service emphasize both theological reflection and poetic expression, inviting the faithful to enter deeply into the mystery of Christ’s suffering.

• The First Hour (6:00 AM): Begins the day with prayers and hymns highlighting Christ’s judgment and the mocking He endured.
  
  

• The Third Hour (9:00 AM): Focuses on the beginning of Christ’s crucifixion at the third hour and includes the prophecy of the Holy Spirit’s coming, the witness of Christ’s trial, and the promise of salvation.
  
  

• The Sixth Hour (12:00 PM): Reflects on the moment Christ is crucified on the cross, with hymns focusing on His agony and sacrifice.
  
  

• The Ninth Hour (3:00 PM): Emphasizes Christ’s death on the cross and the events surrounding it, leading to the burial of His body.
  
  

Each of these hours is a mini-service that includes psalms, readings, prayers, and hymns. These hours can be seen as an extended meditation on the events of Christ's Passion from different angles, all pointing toward His redemptive work for humanity.

The Theological Significance of the Royal Hours

1. Christ’s Suffering and Sacrifice

A central theological theme of the Royal Hours is Christ’s willing suffering and death for the salvation of humanity. As the faithful chant the hymns and hear the readings, they are invited to meditate on the mystery of the Cross: why Christ suffered and how His death, though an agonizing and unjust event, is the means of salvation for all people.

In the First Hour, we are reminded of Christ’s trial before Pilate and the rejection of the King of Glory by His own people, emphasizing the contrast between His royal dignity and the mockery He endured. The Third Hour emphasizes Christ’s role as the fulfillment of prophecy, particularly with the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, as foretold by Christ. The Sixth Hour marks the crucifixion, focusing on Christ’s physical suffering and the spiritual depth of His sacrifice. The Ninth Hour reflects on His death, which is the ultimate expression of God's love for humanity, showing that God willingly gives Himself for the sake of the world.

2. Christ’s Triumph Over Sin and Death

Though the Royal Hours focus heavily on Christ’s suffering, they also point to His victory over death and sin. The hymns of the day, especially those sung during the Sixth Hour, show that the Cross itself is a paradox: it is the instrument of Christ’s greatest humiliation and suffering, but it is also the means of His triumph over sin and death. Christ’s self-sacrifice on the Cross is not only a moment of defeat but also the beginning of victory for all who would come to believe in Him.

The Third Hour, in particular, emphasizes the connection between Christ’s death and the giving of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, comes to sanctify the Church and equip believers with divine power, ensuring that Christ’s sacrifice is not just an isolated historical event but a continuing presence for the faithful through the power of the Holy Spirit.

3. The Presence of Christ in Suffering

The Royal Hours allow the faithful to experience the presence of Christ in the most intimate way—by entering into His suffering. Christ is not a distant figure, but one who identifies completely with human suffering, taking on the full weight of the human condition. Through the hymns and prayers, the faithful recognize that Christ’s suffering is not just for the past, but continues to speak to the present suffering of the world.

For example, in the Sixth Hour, the faithful are called to reflect on Christ’s sacrifice for the entire world. This is particularly important in the Eastern Orthodox understanding of the Cross, which is seen not as a historical event alone but as something that affects all time and space, bringing healing and restoration to all who suffer.

4. The Injustice of Christ’s Passion

A key theme in the Royal Hours is the injustice Christ endured, not just in the courtrooms of Jerusalem, but in the rejection by the very people He came to save. This is particularly evident in the First Hour reading, which highlights how Jesus, the King of Glory, was mocked and beaten by the soldiers and leaders of Israel. The faithful are called to reflect on the contrast between the holiness of Christ and the sinfulness of humanity, who, in rejecting Him, are responsible for His suffering.

5. The Role of the Theotokos and the Church

The Royal Hours also emphasize the role of the Theotokos (Mother of God) in Christ’s Passion. In several hymns, the Church calls on the Theotokos to stand with Christ during His suffering, as she did on Golgotha. The Theotokos’ role is to show the faithful that Christ’s Passion was a part of God’s plan from the very beginning and that the Church, as the body of Christ, also participates in His suffering.

The Poetical Hymnography of the Royal Hours

The deeply poetical hymnography of the Royal Hours is integral to the liturgical experience of Holy Friday. The hymns express a theological depth that transcends mere narrative, drawing the faithful into a mystical encounter with Christ's Passion. Theologically, the hymns focus on Christ as the Suffering Servant, the Lamb of God, and the King of Glory, offering the faithful an opportunity to reflect on the mystery of God’s love in Christ’s sacrifice.

1. "Come, let us all praise Him who was crucified for us"

This hymn reflects the paradox of Christ's death—how He, the King of Glory, was willingly crucified for the salvation of the world. It is a call to the faithful to recognize the mystery of God’s love, which transcends human understanding. Poetically, the hymn contrasts the King of Glory with the humiliation of the Cross, inviting believers to marvel at the love that exceeds all limits.

2. "Today He Who Hung the Earth Upon the Waters"

Sung at the First Hour, this hymn reflects on the paradox of God, the Creator of the universe, being nailed to a tree. This creates a profound contrast between the eternal nature of God and His willingness to enter into the deepest human suffering. Theologically, this hymn emphasizes the incarnation of God and the willingness of Christ to suffer in order to redeem humanity.

3. "The Noble Joseph"

This hymn, sung during the Ninth Hour, reflects the reverence and honor shown to Christ’s body after His death, especially by Joseph of Arimathea. Theologically, it highlights the dignity of Christ’s burial, even as His body lies in the tomb. It also reflects on the hope of the Resurrection, which is foreshadowed even in the sorrow of His death.

4. "Wondrous is the Mystery of Your Passion"

This hymn captures the mystery of the Cross, expressing awe at the great paradox of Christ's death. Theologically, it reflects the deep mystery that the God who is the source of life is willing to die for His creation. It invites the faithful to contemplate the profound love behind Christ's sacrifice.

Conclusion: Theological and Poetic Reflection

The Royal Hours on Holy Friday morning offer the faithful an opportunity to reflect on the profound theological significance of Christ’s Passion. Through the hymnography, which is both poetic and theological, the Church invites believers to enter deeply into the mystery of Christ's suffering and to contemplate His sacrifice as the ultimate act of love and redemption. The poetic beauty of the hymns allows the faithful to experience Christ’s Passion not merely as a historical event but as a living mystery that continues to touch the hearts and lives of all believers.