www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Scripture and Patristic Writings Christ's Descent Into Hades

Though the Gospel of Nicodemus is not read in our Church, the Jerusalem Matins celebrated on Holy Saturday morning does an excellent job of covering the story in that non-canonical Gospel.

A Troparion is a 'theme' song in the Byzantine Church. At the beginning of Jerusalem Matins there are three events in the Troparion for Jerusalem Matins that will make up the theme of this wonderful service:

1. Christ being taken down from the cross and buried in a tomb by Joseph.

2. Christ's 'Descent into Hades' (Gospel of Nicodemus in disguise?) and the freedom of those bound in sin.

3. The visit of the myrrh-bearing women to the place of burial.

This 'funeral' service is an excellent opportunity for us to reflect on these events before the Feast of Feasts.


Cantor Joe Thur
Deacon-student

[ 03-28-2002: Message edited by: J Thur ]

In another topic 2 people posted when their parishes celebrate the Jerusalem Matins. When do yours do it? I believe we will do it early in the morning Sat.

In Christ,

anastasios

Dear Cantor Joe,

You poor thing, you must be dragging your jaw around after the long Easter services!

Happy Easter to you and your family!

Your reference to the Gospel of Nicodemus is excellent and adds a wonderful dimension to Scriptural Studies!

There are some points in the New Testament where, I believe, it is assumed one is conversant with the Orthodox, but noncanonical, scriptures like this Gospel, especially the first Chapter of John on the topic of the sycamore tree and Nathaniel.

Other NT references point out nonwritten Old Testament traditions, accepted as part of revelation by Christ and the Apostles e.g. the Seat of Moses, the battle of Michael for the body of Moses etc.

Excellent, as per your usual.

Alex