After Jesus Christ was condemned to be crucified, He was handed over to the soldiers. The soldiers, having taken him, again beat him with insults and mockery. When they mocked Him, they took off the purple robe from Him and put on His own garments. Those condemned to be crucified were supposed to carry their cross, so the soldiers put His cross on the shoulders of the Savior and led him to the place appointed for the crucifixion. The place was a hill called Golgotha, or place of execution, i.e. sublime. Golgotha ​​was located west of Jerusalem, not far from the city gates, called Judgment.

A great multitude of people followed Jesus Christ. The road was mountainous. Exhausted by beatings and scourgings, exhausted by mental suffering, Jesus Christ could barely walk, falling several times under the weight of the cross. When they reached the city gates, where the road went uphill, Jesus Christ was completely exhausted. At this time, the soldiers saw a man close by who looked at Christ with compassion. It was Simon of Cyrene, returning after work from the field. The soldiers seized him and forced him to carry the cross of Christ.

Carrying the Cross by the Savior

Among the people who followed Christ there were many women who wept and sobbed for Him.

Jesus Christ, turning to them, said: “Daughters of Jerusalem! Do not weep for Me, but weep for yourself and for your children. Because the days will soon come when they will say: happy are those wives who have no children. Then people will say to the mountains fall on us, and on the hills: cover us."

So the Lord foretold terrible disasters which were to break out over Jerusalem and the Jewish people soon after His earthly life.

NOTE: See in the Gospel: Matt., ch. 27 , 27-32; from Mark, ch. 15 , 16-21; from Luke, ch. 23 , 26-32; from John, ch. 19 , 16-17.

Crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ

The execution of crucifixion on the cross was the most shameful, the most painful and the most cruel. In those days, only the most notorious villains were executed with such a death: robbers, murderers, rebels and criminal slaves. The suffering of a crucified man is indescribable. In addition to unbearable pain in all parts of the body and suffering, the crucified one experienced terrible thirst and mortal spiritual anguish. Death was so slow that many were tormented on the cross for several days. Even the executioners - usually cruel people - could not coolly look at the suffering of the crucified. They prepared a drink with which they tried either to quench their unbearable thirst, or, by the admixture of various substances, to temporarily dull their consciousness and alleviate their torment. According to Jewish law, a person hung from a tree was considered cursed. The leaders of the Jews wanted to disgrace Jesus Christ forever by condemning Him to such a death.

When they brought Jesus Christ to Golgotha, the soldiers served Him to drink sour wine mixed with bitter substances in order to alleviate suffering. But the Lord, having tasted it, did not want to drink it. He did not want to use any remedy to relieve suffering. He voluntarily accepted these sufferings upon Himself for the sins of people; That's why I wanted to endure them.

When everything was ready, the soldiers crucified Jesus Christ. It was about noon, in Hebrew, at the 6th hour of the day. When they were crucifying Him, He prayed for His tormentors, saying: "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they're doing."

Two villains (thieves) were crucified next to Jesus Christ, one on the right and the other on the left side of Him. Thus, the prediction of the prophet Isaiah was fulfilled, who said: "And he was counted among the evildoers" (Is. 53 , 12).

By order of Pilate, an inscription was nailed to the cross over the head of Jesus Christ, signifying His guilt. On it was written in Hebrew, Greek and Roman: Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews", and many read it. The enemies of Christ did not like such an inscription. Therefore, the high priests came to Pilate and said: "Do not write: King of the Jews, but write that He said: I am the King of the Jews."

But Pilate answered: "What I have written, I have written."

Meanwhile, the soldiers who crucified Jesus Christ took His clothes and began to divide among themselves. Outerwear they tore it into four pieces, each soldier a piece. The chiton (underwear) was not sewn, but all woven from top to bottom. Then they said to each other: "We will not tear it apart, but we will cast lots for it, whoever gets it." And casting lots, the soldiers sitting guarded the place of execution. So, here, too, the ancient prophecy of King David came true: “They divided My garments among themselves, and they cast lots for My garments” (Psalm. 21 , 19).

Enemies did not stop insulting Jesus Christ on the cross. As they passed, they slandered and, nodding their heads, said: "Hey! Destroying the temple and building up in three days! Save yourself. If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross."

Also, the chief priests, scribes, elders and Pharisees, mockingly, said: “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself. now let God deliver him, if he pleases him; for he said, I am the Son of God.

Following their example, the pagan warriors, who sat at the crosses and guarded the crucified, mockingly said: "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself."

Even one of the crucified robbers, who was to the left of the Savior, slandered Him and said: "If you are the Christ, save yourself and us."

The other robber, on the contrary, calmed him down and said: “Or are you not afraid of God when you yourself are condemned to the same thing (that is, to the same torment and death)? But we are justly condemned, because we received what is worthy of our deeds and He did nothing wrong." Having said this, he turned to Jesus Christ with a prayer: " remember me(remember me) Lord, when you come into your kingdom!"

The merciful Savior accepted the heartfelt repentance of this sinner, who showed such wondrous faith in Him, and answered the prudent thief: " I tell you truly, today you will be with me in paradise".

At the cross of the Savior stood His Mother, the Apostle John, Mary Magdalene and several other women who revered Him. It is impossible to describe the sorrow of the Mother of God, who saw the unbearable torment of Her Son!

Jesus Christ, seeing His Mother and John standing here, whom He especially loved, says to His Mother: " Geno! behold, thy son"Then he says to John:" here, your mother"From that time on, John took the Mother of God to his house and took care of Her until the end of Her life.

Meanwhile, during the suffering of the Savior on Calvary, a great sign occurred. From the hour the Savior was crucified, that is, from the sixth hour (and according to our account from the twelfth hour of the day), the sun darkened and darkness fell over all the earth, and lasted until the ninth hour (according to our account until the third hour of the day) , i.e. until the death of the Savior.

This extraordinary, universal darkness was noted by pagan historian writers: the Roman astronomer Phlegont, Phallus and Junius Africanus. The famous philosopher from Athens, Dionysius the Areopagite, was at that time in Egypt, in the city of Heliopolis; observing the sudden darkness, he said: "Either the Creator suffers, or the world is destroyed." Subsequently, Dionysius the Areopagite converted to Christianity and was the first Bishop of Athens.

About the ninth hour, Jesus Christ loudly exclaimed: Or or! lima savahfani!" that is, "My God, My God! Why did you leave me?" They were initial words from the 21st Psalm of King David, in which David clearly predicted the suffering on the cross of the Savior. With these words the Lord reminded people for the last time that He is the true Christ, the Savior of the world.

Some of those standing on Golgotha, hearing these words spoken by the Lord, said: "Behold, He is calling Elijah." And others said, "Let's see if Elijah comes to save Him."

The Lord Jesus Christ, knowing that everything had already happened, said: "I thirst."

Then one of the soldiers ran, took a sponge, soaked it with vinegar, put it on a cane and brought it to the withered lips of the Savior.

Having tasted the vinegar, the Savior said: Done", that is, the promise of God was fulfilled, the salvation of the human race was completed.

And behold, the veil in the temple, which covered the holy of holies, was torn in two, from the top to the bottom, and the earth shook, and the stones split; and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection, they went into Jerusalem and appeared to many.

Centurion confesses Jesus Christ as the Son of God

The centurion, (the head of the soldiers) and the soldiers with him, who guarded the crucified Savior, seeing the earthquake and everything that happened before them, were frightened and said: " Truly this man was the Son of God". And the people, who were at the crucifixion and saw everything, began to disperse in fear, striking themselves in the chest.

Friday evening came. Easter was to be eaten that evening. The Jews did not want to leave the bodies of those crucified on the crosses until Saturday, because Easter Saturday was considered a great day. Therefore, they asked Pilate for permission to kill the legs of the crucified, so that they would die sooner and could be removed from the crosses. Pilate allowed. The soldiers came and broke the shins of the robbers. When they approached Jesus Christ, they saw that He had already died, and therefore they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers, so that there would be no doubt about His death, pierced his side with a spear, and blood and water flowed from the wound.

Rib perforation

27 , 33-56; from Mark, ch. 15 , 22-41; from Luke, ch. 23 , 33-49; from John, ch. 19 , 18-37.

The Holy Cross of Christ is the Holy Altar on which the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, offered Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world.

Descent from the Cross and Burial of the Savior

On the same evening, shortly after all that had happened, a famous member of the Sanhedrin, a rich man, came to Pilate. Joseph of Arimathea(from the city of Arimathea). Joseph was a secret disciple of Jesus Christ, secret - out of fear of the Jews. He was a kind and righteous man, who did not participate in the council, in the condemnation of the Savior. He asked Pilate for permission to remove the body of Christ from the cross and bury it.

Pilate was surprised that Jesus Christ died so soon. He called the centurion who guarded the crucified, learned from him when Jesus Christ died, and allowed Joseph to take the body of Christ for burial.

Burial of the Body of Christ the Savior

Joseph, having bought a shroud (a linen for burial), came to Golgotha. Another secret disciple of Jesus Christ and a member of the Sanhedrin, Nicodemus, also came. He brought with him for burial a precious fragrant ointment - a composition of myrrh and aloes.

They removed the body of the Savior from the Cross, anointed Him with incense, wrapped Him in a shroud, and laid Him in a new tomb, in a garden near Golgotha. This coffin was a cave that Joseph of Arimathea carved into the rock for his burial, and in which no one had yet been laid. There they laid the body of Christ, because this tomb was close to Golgotha, and there was little time, since the great feast of Easter was coming. Then they rolled a huge stone to the door of the coffin and left.

Mary Magdalene, Mary Josieva and other women were there and watched how the body of Christ was laid down. Returning home, they bought precious ointment, so that later they could anoint the body of Christ with this ointment, as soon as the first, great day of the feast had passed, on which, according to the law, everyone should be at peace.

Position in the coffin. (Lamentation of the Mother of God.)

But the enemies of Christ did not rest, despite their great feast. The next day, on Saturday, the chief priests and Pharisees (disturbing the peace of the Sabbath and the feast) gathered, came to Pilate and began to ask him: “Sir, we remembered that this deceiver (as they dared to call Jesus Christ), while still alive, He said, “After three days I will rise again.” Therefore command that the tomb be guarded until the third day, lest His disciples come at night and steal Him away and tell the people that He has risen from the dead, and then the last deception will be worse than the first.”

Pilate said to them, "You have guards; go and guard as you know."

Then the high priests with the Pharisees went to the tomb of Jesus Christ and, having carefully examined the cave, applied their (Sanhedrin's) seal to the stone; and set up a military guard at the tomb of the Lord.

When the body of the Savior lay in the tomb, with His soul He descended into hell to the souls of people who died before His suffering and death. And all the souls of righteous people who were waiting for the coming of the Savior, He freed from hell.

The return of the Mother of God and the Apostle Paul from the burial

NOTE: See in the Gospel: from Matt., ch. 27 , 57-66; from Mark, ch. 15 , 42-47; from Luke, ch. 23 , 50-56; from John, ch. 19 , 38-42.

The sufferings of Christ are remembered by St. Orthodox Church the week before Easter. This week is called Passionate. Christians should spend this entire week in fasting and prayer.

Pharisees and Jewish High Priests
seal the tomb of the Lord

V Great Wednesday Holy Week remembers the betrayal of Jesus Christ by Judas Iscariot.

V Maundy Thursday In the evening, after the Vespers (which is Good Friday Matins), the twelve parts of the gospel of the sufferings of Jesus Christ are read.

V Good Friday at Vespers(which is served at 2 or 3 p.m.) is taken out of the altar and placed in the middle of the temple shroud, i.e., the sacred image of the Savior lying in the tomb; this is done in remembrance of the removal from the cross of the body of Christ and His burial.

V Great Saturday on the matins, with the funeral ringing of bells and while singing the song "Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us" - the shroud is wrapped around the temple in remembrance of the descent of Jesus Christ into hell, when His body was in the tomb, and His victory over hell and death .

Military guards at the Holy Sepulcher

For Holy Week and the feast of Easter, we prepare ourselves with fasting. This fast lasts forty days and is called Holy forty days or Great Lent.

In addition, the Holy Orthodox Church instituted fasting for Wednesdays and Fridays every week (except for some, very few, weeks of the year), on Wednesdays - in remembrance of the betrayal of Jesus Christ by Judas, and on Fridays - in remembrance of the suffering of Jesus Christ.

We express faith in the power of the suffering on the cross for us Jesus Christ sign of the cross during our prayers.

The Descent of Jesus Christ into Hell

Resurrection of Jesus Christ

After the Sabbath, at night, on the third day after His suffering and death, The Lord Jesus Christ, by the power of His divinity, came to life, i.e. rose from the dead. His human body was transformed. He came out of the tomb without breaking the stone, without breaking the Sanhedrin seal and invisible to the guards. From that moment on, the soldiers, without knowing it, guarded the empty coffin.

Suddenly there was a great earthquake; an angel of the Lord descended from heaven. He, approaching, rolled away the stone from the door of the tomb of the Lord and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were as white as snow. The warriors who stood guard at the tomb trembled and became like the dead, and then, waking up from fear, fled.

On this day (the first day of the week), as soon as the Sabbath rest ended, very early, at dawn, Mary Magdalene, Mary Jacobleva, John, Salome and other women, taking the prepared fragrant myrrh, went to the tomb of Jesus Christ to anoint His body, because they did not have time to do this at the burial. (The Church calls these women myrrh-bearers). They did not yet know that guards were assigned to the tomb of Christ, and the entrance to the cave was sealed. Therefore, they did not expect to meet anyone there, and they said among themselves: "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" The stone was very large.

The angel of the Lord rolled away the stone from the door of the tomb

Mary Magdalene, ahead of the rest of the myrrh-bearing women, was the first to come to the tomb. It was not yet dawn, it was dark. Mary, seeing that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb, immediately ran to Peter and John and said: "They took the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they put Him." Hearing these words, Peter and John immediately ran to the tomb. Mary Magdalene followed them.

At this time, the rest of the women, walking with Mary Magdalene, approached the tomb. They saw that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb. And when they stopped, suddenly, they saw a luminous angel sitting on a stone. The angel, turning to them, said: “Do not be afraid: for I know that you are looking for Jesus crucified. He is not here; He is risen as I said while still with you. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And then go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead."

They went inside the tomb (cave) and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus Christ. But, looking, they saw an angel in a white robe sitting on the right side of the place where the Lord was laid; they were terrified.

The angel says to them: “Do not be horrified; you are looking for Jesus, the crucified Nazarene; He is risen; He is not here. Here's the place where He was laid. But go and tell His disciples and Peter (who by his renunciation fell away from the number of disciples) that He will meet you in Galilee, where you will see Him, as He told you."

When the women stood in perplexity, suddenly, again, two angels in shining clothes appeared before them. The women bowed their faces to the ground in fear.

The angels said to them: "Why are you looking for the living among the dead? He is not here: He is risen; Remember how He told you when He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful people, and be crucified, and rise on the third day."

Then the women remembered the words of the Lord. And having gone out, they fled from the tomb in trembling and fear. And then, with fear and great joy, they went to tell His disciples. They didn't say anything to anyone on the way, because they were afraid.

Having come to the disciples, the women told about everything they had seen and heard. But their words seemed empty to the disciples, and they did not believe them.

Myrrh-Bearing Women at the Holy Sepulcher

Meanwhile, Peter and John come running to the tomb of the Lord. John ran faster than Peter and came to the tomb first, but he did not enter the tomb, but bending down, he saw the sheets lying. After him, Peter comes running, enters the tomb and sees only the sheets lying, and the kerchief (bandage) that was on the head of Jesus Christ, not lying with the sheets, but rolled up in another place separately from the sheets. Then John came in after Peter, saw everything, this and believed in the resurrection of Christ. Peter marveled at what had happened in himself. After that, Peter and John returned to their homes.

When Peter and John left, Mary Magdalene, who came running with them, remained at the tomb. She stood and wept at the entrance to the cave. And when she was crying, she bent down and looked into the cave (into the tomb), and saw two angels in a white robe, sitting, one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of the Savior lay.

The angels said to her: "wife! Why are you crying?"

Mary Magdalene answered them: "They have carried away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him."

Having said this, she looked back and saw the standing Jesus Christ, but from great sadness, from tears and from her confidence that the dead do not rise, she did not recognize the Lord.

Jesus Christ says to her: "Woman! why are you crying? Whom are you looking for?"

Mary Magdalene, thinking that this is the gardener of this garden, says to Him: "Lord! If you carried Him out, tell me where you put Him, and I will take Him."

Then Jesus Christ says to her: Maria!"

Appearance of the Risen Christ to Mary Magdalene

The well-known voice made her come to her senses from her sadness, and she saw that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself was standing before her. She exclaimed: " Teacher!" - and with indescribable joy she threw herself at the feet of the Savior; and from joy she did not imagine the whole greatness of the moment.

But Jesus Christ, pointing out to her the holy and great mystery of His resurrection, tells her: “Do not touch Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brothers (i.e., disciples) and tell them: I ascend to My Father, and to your Father, and to my God and your God."

Then Mary Magdalene hastened to His disciples with the news that she had seen the Lord and that He had told her. This was the first appearance of Christ after the resurrection..

Appearance of the Risen Christ to the Myrrhbearers

On the way, Mary Magdalene caught up with Mary Iakovleva, who was also returning from the tomb of the Lord. When they went to tell the disciples, suddenly, Jesus Christ Himself met them and said to them: " rejoice!".

They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him.

Then Jesus Christ said to them: "Do not be afraid, go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."

So the resurrected Christ appeared a second time.

Mary Magdalene with Mary Iakovleva, entering the eleven disciples and all the others, weeping and weeping, announced great joy. But when they heard from them that Jesus Christ is alive and they saw Him, they did not believe.

After that, Jesus Christ appeared separately to Peter and assured him of His resurrection. ( Third phenomenon). Only then did many cease to doubt the reality of the resurrection of Christ, although there were still non-believers among them.

But before

All, as evidenced by the antiquity of St. Church, Jesus Christ delighted His Blessed Mother telling her through an angel of his resurrection.

The Holy Church sings about this in this way:

Glorify, glorify the Christian Church, because the glory of the Lord has shone over you: now triumph and rejoice! But you, Pure Mother of God, rejoice in the resurrection of the one born by you.

Meanwhile, the soldiers who were guarding the tomb of the Lord and fled from fear, came to Jerusalem. Some of them went to the high priests and they were told everything that happened at the tomb of Jesus Christ. The high priests, having gathered with the elders, held a meeting. Due to their evil stubbornness, the enemies of Jesus Christ did not want to believe His resurrection and decided to hide this event from the people. To do this, they bribed the soldiers. Giving a lot of money, they said: "Tell everyone that His disciples, having come at night, stole Him when you were sleeping. And if the rumor about this reaches the ruler (Pilate), then we will clap for you in front of him and save you from trouble" . The warriors took the money and did as they were taught. This rumor spread among the Jews, so that many of them believe it to this day.

The deception and lies of this rumor are visible to everyone. If the soldiers were sleeping, they could not see, and if they saw, then they were not sleeping and would have detained the kidnappers. The guard must watch and watch. It is impossible to imagine that the guard, which consisted of several persons, could fall asleep. And if all the soldiers fell asleep, then they were subject to severe punishment. Why were they not punished, but left alone (and even rewarded)? And the frightened disciples, who locked themselves in their homes from fear, could they possibly decide, without weapons against the armed Roman soldiers, on such a brave deed? And besides, why would they do it when they themselves lost faith in their Savior. Besides, could they roll off a huge rock without waking anyone up? All this is impossible. On the contrary, the disciples themselves thought that someone had carried away the body of the Savior, but when they saw the empty coffin, they realized that this did not happen after the abduction. And, finally, why didn't the leaders of the Jews search for the body of Christ and punish the disciples? Thus, the enemies of Christ tried to obscure the cause of God with a crude interweaving of lies and deceit, but proved powerless against the truth.

28 , 1-15; from Mark, ch. 16 , 1-11; from Luke, ch. 24 , 1-12; from John, ch. 20 , 1-18. See also 1st Epistle of St. app. Paul to the Corinthians: ch. 15 , 3-5.

Appearance of the resurrected Jesus Christ to two disciples on the way to Emmaus

By the evening of the day when Jesus Christ was resurrected and appeared to Mary Magdalene, Mary of Jacob and Peter, two of Christ's disciples (out of 70), Cleopas and Luke, were walking from Jerusalem to the village Emmaus. Emmaus was ten versts from Jerusalem.

On the way, they talked among themselves about all the events that had taken place in last days in Jerusalem - about the suffering and death of the Savior. When they were talking about everything that had happened, Jesus Christ Himself approached them and walked beside them. But something seemed to hold their eyes, so that they did not recognize Him.

Jesus Christ said to them: "What are you talking about as you walk, and why are you so sad?"

One of them, Cleopas, said to Him in response: “Are you one of those who came to Jerusalem, do you not know about what happened in it these days?”

Jesus Christ said to them: "About what?"

They answered Him: “about what happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a mighty prophet in deed and word before God and all the people; how the chief priests and our leaders betrayed Him for condemnation to death and crucified Him. And we hoped that He He is the one who is to redeem Israel. And today is the third day since this happened. But some of our women amazed us: they were early at the tomb and did not find His body and, returning, they told that they saw angels who say, that He is alive. Then some of us went to the tomb and found everything as the women said, but they did not see Him."

Then Jesus Christ said to them: "Oh, foolish ones, and slow (not sensitive) in heart to believe everything that the prophets foretold! Was it not necessary for Christ to suffer and enter into His glory?" And He began, beginning from Moses, to explain to them from all the prophets what was said about Him in all Scripture. The students marveled. Everything became clear to them. So in conversation they approached Emmaus. Jesus Christ showed the appearance that he wants to go further. But they held Him back, saying, "Stay with us, for the day has already turned to evening." Jesus Christ stayed with them and entered the house. And when He was at table with them, He took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus Christ. But He became invisible to them. This was the fourth appearance of the resurrected Christ. Cleopas and Luke, in great joy, began to say to each other: “Did not our hearts burn with joy when He spoke to us on the road and when He opened the Scriptures to us?” After that, they immediately got up from the table and, despite the late hour, went back to Jerusalem to the disciples. Returning to Jerusalem, they entered the house, where all the apostles and others who were with them were gathered, except for the Apostle Thomas. All of them joyfully met Cleopas and Luke and said that the Lord had truly risen and appeared to Simon Peter. And Cleopas and Luke, in turn, told about what happened to them on the way to Emmaus, how the Lord Himself walked with them and talked, and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of bread.

They recognized Jesus Christ. But He became invisible to them

16 , 12-13; from Luke, ch. 24 , 18-35.

The appearance of Jesus Christ to all the apostles and other disciples, except for the Apostle Thomas

When the apostles were talking with the disciples of Christ, Cleopas and Luke, who had returned from Emmaus, and the doors of the house where they were were locked out of fear from the Jews, suddenly Jesus Christ Himself stood in the midst of them and said to them: " peace to you".

They were confused and frightened, thinking they were seeing a spirit.

But Jesus Christ said to them: “Why are you troubled, and why do such thoughts enter your hearts? Look at My hands and at My feet, it is I Myself; touch (touch) Me and consider; indeed, the spirit has no flesh and bones, as you see with me."

Having said this, He showed them His hands, and His feet, and His side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. For joy they still did not believe and marveled.

To strengthen them in their faith, Jesus Christ said to them, "Do you have any food here?"

The disciples gave Him a piece of baked fish and honeycomb.

Jesus Christ took it all and ate in front of them. Then he said to them: “Behold, now that which I spoke to you about while I was with you has come to pass, that everything that is written about me in the law of Moses, both in the prophets and in the psalms, must be fulfilled.”

Then the Lord opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, that is, gave them the ability to understand Holy Bible. Finishing His conversation with the disciples, Jesus Christ said to them a second time: peace to you! As the Father sent me into the world, so I send you"Having said this, the Savior breathed on them, and said to them:" receive the Holy Spirit. To whom you forgive sins, they will be forgiven(from God); on whom leave(sins unforgiven) will remain on that".

This was the fifth appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ on the first day of His glorious resurrection.

Bringing all His disciples great inexpressible joy. Only Thomas, of the twelve apostles, called Gemini, was not at this apparition. When the disciples began to tell him that they saw the resurrected Lord, Thomas said to them: "If I do not see the wounds from the nails on His hands, and put my finger (finger) into these wounds, and put my hand into His side, I won't believe it."

NOTE: See the Gospel: Mark, ch. 16 , 14; from Luke, ch. 24 , 36-45; from John, ch. 20 , 19-25.

Appearance of Jesus Christ to the Apostle Thomas and other Apostles

A week later, on the eighth day after the Resurrection of Christ, the disciples again gathered all together in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, just like the first time. Jesus Christ entered the house closed doors stood in the midst of the disciples and said: Peace to you!"

Then, turning to Thomas, he says to him: "Give your finger here and see My hands; put your hand here and put it in My side; and do not be unbelievers, but believers."

Then the Apostle Thomas exclaimed: my Lord and my God!"

Jesus Christ said to him: you believed because you saw me, but blessed are those who have not seen and believed".

20 , 26-29.

The Appearance of Jesus Christ to the Disciples at the Sea of ​​Tiberias and the Restoration of the Denied Peter in the Apostleship

According to the command of Jesus Christ, His disciples went to Galilee. There the eyes went about their daily business. Once Peter, Thomas, Nathanael (Bartholomew), the sons of Zebedee (James and John) and two other of His disciples were fishing all night in the Sea of ​​Tiberias (Lake of Gennesaret) and did not catch anything. And when morning had already come, Jesus Christ was standing on the shore. But the disciples did not recognize Him.

View of the Tiberias (Galilee) Sea
from Capernaum

Jesus Christ said to them, "Children! Do you have any food?"

They answered "no".

Then Jesus Christ said to them: "throw the net on the right side of the boat and you will catch it."

The disciples threw the net on the right side of the boat and could no longer pull it out of the water because of the many fish.

Then John says to Peter, "This is the Lord."

Peter, having heard that it was the Lord, girded himself with his clothes, because he was undressed, and threw himself into the sea, and swam to the shore, to Jesus Christ. And the other disciples sailed in a boat, dragging a net with fish behind them, since they were not far from the shore. When they came ashore, they saw a fire laid out and fish and bread lying on it.

Jesus Christ tells the disciples: "Bring the fish that you have now caught."

Peter went and pulled out a net full of big fish who were one hundred and fifty three; and with such a multitude, the network did not break.

After that, Jesus Christ says to them: "Come, dine."

And none of the disciples dared to ask Him: "Who are You?" knowing that it is the Lord.

Jesus Christ took the bread and gave them, also the fish.

During the dinner, Jesus Christ showed Peter that He forgives his denial and raises him again to the title of His apostle. By his denial, Peter sinned more than the other disciples, so the Lord asks him: "Simon Jonas! Do you love Me more than they (the other disciples)?"

Peter answered Him, "Yes, Lord, You know that I love You."

Jesus Christ says to him, "feed my lambs."

Then again, for the second time, Jesus Christ said to Peter: “Simon Jonas, do you love Me?”

Peter again answered, "Yes, Lord, You know that I love You."

Jesus Christ says to him: "feed my sheep."

And finally, for the third time, the Lord says to Peter: "Simon of Jonas! Do you love Me?"

Peter was saddened that the Lord asked him for the third time: "Do you love Me?" and said to Him: "Lord! You know everything; You know that I love You."

Jesus Christ also says to him: "feed my sheep."

Thus the Lord helped Peter to make amends for his threefold renunciation of Christ three times and testify of his love for Him. After each answer, Jesus Christ returns to him, along with the other apostles, the title of apostle (he makes His sheep a shepherd).

After that, Jesus Christ says to Peter: “Truly, truly, I say to you: when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you wanted; but when you are old, then stretch out your hands and another will gird you, and lead you where you don't want to." With these words, the Savior made it clear to Peter what kind of death he would glorify God - he would be martyred for Christ (crucifixion). Having said all this, Jesus Christ tells him: "follow me."

Peter, turning around, saw John walking behind him. Pointing to him, Peter asked: "Lord! and what is he?"

Jesus Christ told him: "If I want him to be until I come, then what is it to you? You follow Me."

Then a rumor spread among the disciples that John would not die, although Jesus Christ did not say so.

NOTE: See the Gospel of John, ch. 21.

The appearance of Jesus Christ to the apostles and more than five hundred disciples

Then, at the command of Jesus Christ, the eleven apostles gathered on a mountain in Galilee. More than five hundred disciples came to them there. There Jesus Christ appeared before everyone. Seeing Him, they bowed down; and some doubted.

Jesus Christ approached and said: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. So go and teach all nations (my doctrine), baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; teach them to keep all that I have commanded you. And behold, I will be with you all the days until the end of the age. Amen".

Then, separately, Jesus Christ appeared again Jacob.

So in continued forty days after His resurrection, Jesus Christ appeared to His disciples, with many faithful proofs of His resurrection, and talked with them about the Kingdom of God.

NOTE: See in the Gospel: Matthew, ch. 28 , 16-20; from Mark, ch. 16 , 15-16; see in the 1st epistle of Ap. Paul to Corinth., Ch. 15 , 6-8; see Acts of Sts. Apostles ch. 1 , 3.

Christ is Risen!

Great event - Light Christ's Resurrection celebrated by the Holy Orthodox Church as the greatest of all holidays. This is the feast of the Feast and the Celebration of the festivities. This holiday is also called Easter, that is, the Day on which our passage from death to life and from earth to heaven. The feast of the Resurrection of Christ lasts a whole week (7 days) and the service in the temple is special, more solemn than on all other holidays and days. On the first day of the Feast, Matins begins at midnight. Before the start of Matins, the clergy, dressed in bright clothes, together with the faithful, with bells ringing, with lit candles, a cross and icons, go around the temple (perform a procession), in imitation of the myrrh-bearing women who walked early in the morning to the tomb of the Savior. During the procession, everyone sings: Thy Resurrection, O Christ the Savior, the angels sing in heaven: and make us on earth worthy of glorifying Thee with a pure heart. The initial cry of Matins is made in front of the closed doors of the temple, and the troparion is sung many times: Christ is Risen..., and with the singing of the troparion they enter the temple. Divine services are celebrated throughout the week with the Royal Doors open, as a sign that now, with the Resurrection of Christ, the gates of the Kingdom of God are open to all. On all days of this great holiday, we greet each other with a fraternal kiss with the words: " Christ is Risen!" and in response: " Truly Risen!" We Christenise and exchange colored (red) eggs, which serve as a symbol of the new, blessed life that opened from the tomb of the Savior. All the bells ring all week. supposed to.

On the Tuesday after Paschal Week, the Holy Church, sharing the joy of the Resurrection of Christ with the dead in the hope of a general resurrection, especially creates commemoration of the dead, therefore this day is called " Radonitsa". A funeral Liturgy and an ecumenical memorial service are performed. It has long been customary on this day to visit the graves of one's close relatives.

In addition, the day of the Resurrection of Christ is remembered by us every week - on Sunday.

Troparion for the feast of Easter.

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and bestowing life on those in the tombs.

Christ rose from the dead, having conquered death by death and giving life to those in the tombs, i.e. the dead.

Sunday

Resurrected, revived; amending- having won; living in tombs- located in coffins, dead people; bestowing a belly- giving life.

Kontakion of Easter.

Songs of the feast of Easter.

The angel exclaimed to the blessed (Mother of God): Pure Virgin, rejoice! and again I say: rejoice! Your Son rose from the tomb on the third day after death and raised the dead: people, rejoice!

Glorify, glorify the Christian Church, because the glory of the Lord has shone over you: now triumph and rejoice! But you, Pure Mother of God, rejoice in the resurrection of the one born by you.

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The execution of crucifixion on the cross was the most shameful, the most painful and the most cruel. In those days, only the most notorious villains were executed like this: robbers, murderers, rebels and criminal slaves. The suffering of a crucified man is indescribable. In addition to unbearable pain in all parts of the body and suffering, the crucified one experienced terrible thirst and mortal spiritual anguish. Death was so slow that many were tormented on the cross for several days. Even the executioners - usually cruel people - could not coolly look at the suffering of the crucified. They prepared a drink with which they tried either to quench their unbearable thirst, or, by the admixture of various substances, to temporarily dull their consciousness and alleviate their torment. According to Jewish law, a person hung from a tree was considered cursed. The leaders of the Jews wanted to disgrace Jesus Christ forever by condemning Him to such a death.

When they brought Jesus Christ to Golgotha, the soldiers served Him to drink sour wine mixed with bitter substances in order to alleviate suffering. But the Lord, having tasted it, did not want to drink it. He did not want to use any remedy to relieve suffering. He voluntarily accepted these sufferings upon Himself for the sins of people; That's why I wanted to endure them.

When everything was ready, the soldiers crucified Jesus Christ. It was about noon, in Hebrew, at the 6th hour of the day. When they were crucifying Him, He prayed for His tormentors, saying: “Father! forgive them because they don't know what they're doing."

Two villains (thieves) were crucified next to Jesus Christ, one on the right and the other on the left side of Him. Thus, the prediction of the prophet Isaiah was fulfilled, who said: “And he was counted among the villains” ().

By order of Pilate, an inscription was nailed to the cross over the head of Jesus Christ, signifying His guilt. On it was written in Hebrew, Greek and Roman: Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews and many have read it. Such an inscription did not please the enemies of Christ. Therefore, the chief priests came to Pilate and said: “Do not write: King of the Jews, but write that He said: I am the King of the Jews.”

But Pilate replied: "What I wrote, I wrote."

Meanwhile, the soldiers who crucified Jesus Christ took His clothes and began to divide among themselves. They tore the outer garment into four pieces, one piece for each warrior. The chiton (underwear) was not sewn, but all woven from top to bottom. Then they said to each other: "We will not tear it apart, but we will cast lots for it, whoever gets it." And casting lots, the soldiers sitting guarded the place of execution. So, here, too, the ancient prophecy of King David came true: “They divided My garments among themselves, and they cast lots for My clothes” ().

Enemies did not stop insulting Jesus Christ on the cross. As they passed, they slandered and, nodding their heads, said: “Eh! Destroying the temple and building in three days! Save Yourself. If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross."

Also the chief priests, the scribes, the elders, and the Pharisees, mockingly, said: “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself. If He is the Christ, the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, that we may see, and then we will believe in Him. Trusted in God; may God deliver him now, if he pleases him; for He said: I am the Son of God.

Following their example, the pagan warriors, who sat at the crosses and guarded the crucified, mockingly said: "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself."

Even one of the crucified thieves, who was to the left of the Savior, slandered Him and said: “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”

The other robber, on the contrary, calmed him and said: “Or are you not afraid of God when you yourself are condemned to the same thing (that is, to the same torment and death)? But we are justly condemned, because we received what was worthy according to our deeds, but He did nothing wrong. Having said this, he turned to Jesus Christ with a prayer: remember me(remember me) Lord, when you come into your kingdom!"

The merciful Savior accepted the heartfelt repentance of this sinner, who showed such wondrous faith in Him, and answered the prudent thief: " I tell you truly, today you will be with me in paradise".

At the cross of the Savior stood His Mother, the Apostle John, Mary Magdalene and several other women who revered Him. It is impossible to describe the sorrow of the Mother of God, who saw the unbearable torment of Her Son!

Jesus Christ, seeing His Mother and John standing here, whom He especially loved, says to His Mother: Geno! behold, thy son". Then he says to John: here, your mother". From that time on, John took the Mother of God to his house and took care of Her until the end of Her life.

Meanwhile, during the suffering of the Savior on Calvary, a great sign occurred. From the hour the Savior was crucified, that is, from the sixth hour (and according to our account from the twelfth hour of the day), the sun darkened and darkness fell over all the earth, and lasted until the ninth hour (according to our account until the third hour of the day) , i.e. until the death of the Savior.

This extraordinary, universal darkness was noted by pagan historian writers: the Roman astronomer Phlegont, Phallus and Junius Africanus. The famous philosopher from Athens, Dionysius the Areopagite, was at that time in Egypt, in the city of Heliopolis; observing the sudden darkness, he said: “Either the Creator suffers, or the world is destroyed.” Subsequently, Dionysius the Areopagite converted to Christianity and was the first Bishop of Athens.

The Holy Cross of Christ is the Holy Altar, on which the Son of God, our Lord, offered Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world.

Many people celebrate Easter. Many do not celebrate.

But what really happened in those 3 days?

Christ died for all mankind. And resurrected.

It is a fact. Let's examine this fact in detail.

After all, it's one thing to just hear "Christ is risen." It becomes like a slogan, which is no longer perceived by ear. And another thing is to know for sure that Christ died and rose again for us.

To verify this in more detail, I decided to write an article with a detailed study of the Greek original, on which are written. And also with the scientific justification of what actually happened on those memorable 3 days in the 1st century from the birth of Christ.

Chronologically what happened

Jesus was condemned at the age of 33.

He was crucified. In those days, crucifixion was a terrible punishment, which was prescribed only for the most serious crimes.

What is crucifixion really?

Nails

Nails 15-20 cm long ( average length palms of an adult)

The nails were driven into the wrists, not the palms. Otherwise, the palms would have been torn from the weight of the body. And so the condemned could hang on the cross.

There is a tendon in the wrist that is connected to the shoulder. And the nail that was driven in tore the tendon.

Jesus was forced to hold His body on one nail. Both of His feet were nailed to the cross with this nail.

However, the feet couldn't support his body without tearing. Therefore, He had to alternate reliance on the feet, with reliance on the hands.

The process of crucifixion itself lasted several hours.

Then Jesus endured another 3 hours.

Breath

Air was forced out of the lungs by the weight of the body. Therefore, Jesus had to use all his strength to breathe.

Blood

Blood flowed from the body of Jesus. A few minutes before his death, he stopped bleeding. Not a drop of blood remained in the body. Water flowed from His wounds.

John 19:34 but one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately there came out blood and water.

The adult human body contains approximately 3.5 liters of blood. Jesus shed all his blood, to the last drop.

crown of thorns

Path to Calvary

Jesus went the hard way to Calvary. Beaten, He carried a cross weighing 30 kg for almost 2 kilometers.

What's the point of this?

After the crucifixion, Jesus Christ died on the cross. And he was taken to the tomb.

Tomb of Jesus

His spirit descended into hell. And his flesh was in the tomb.

• Jesus voluntarily sacrificed Himself. He became the cause of the Covenant of God with man.

Religion contributed to progress, and without religious teachers there would be no worldview transformation, miraculous healings, unconditional faith in God would not appear. - a pillar figure in the development of mankind, and no matter what feelings it evokes, most people know the canonical story about life on Earth and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

short biography

Jesus Christ− spiritual leader with 52 development levels. Born January 7, 4 BC. Lived 158 years, passed away on May 27, 154. He was embodied for a great mission - to create a new teaching, new faith, bring the Law of Love and save millions of human souls.

After crucifixion and resurrection Higher power forbade Jesus to preach, he fully fulfilled his mission.

There is alternative sources, which, without refuting the biography, somewhat clarify, expand the ideas about what really happened to Christ. Thanks to these revelations (), we can find out in detail how the crucifixion of Jesus Christ took place, and on what day he resurrected.

Crucifixion of Jesus Christ

Calvary. Initially, Golgotha ​​was called a small hill near Jerusalem, which got its name for its similarity with the shape of the skull. Later, criminals were executed on the mountain, and after the crucifixion of the Son of God on it, the word "Golgotha" began to be used in an allegorical sense. “Everyone has his own Calvary” means that every person has to go through difficult trials.

Today we know more about the crucifixion of Christ thanks to the revelations of the Higher Powers, which communicate with highly spiritual people, initiating them into the secrets of the world. The Forces of Light helped to fully restore the sequence of events of the execution of Christ and clarify the points about which nothing is said in the Bible.

A little about the preparations. On Golgotha ​​before the execution, where the cross was to be buried, a pedestal was placed, which was later nailed to the cross. For what?

Firstly, so that the cross does not sway and fall, and the second moment - so that the feet of the crucified person rest on the stand. The last action did not alleviate the fate, but, on the contrary, prolonged the torment. After all, not all criminals were sentenced to death penalty, for some, the crucifixion was only atonement for sins, and after a few days, if the person did not die, he was released.

How did the crucifixion of Jesus Christ take place? There were no concessions for Jesus Christ, he was crucified with 4 nails without the right to pardon. The Bible says that the crucified Jesus instructed and comforted people. This is not true. The pain from the nails was so terrible that he had no strength to speak, he could only slightly alleviate the torment by putting himself into a state of suspended animation, silently turning away from the drink offered by the guards to ease suffering.

The gospels say that the guards divided the clothes of Jesus by casting lots among themselves. However, there is also an inaccuracy here. It is difficult to call a piece of cloth covering the loins of Christ a garment. He had nothing to share, only a loincloth - hardly anyone encroached on it.

The crowd watching the execution was in different moods. The Pharisees mocked, the chief priests and elders shouted out: "He saved others, but he cannot save himself." One thief, crucified at the same time as Jesus, taunted him, the other, on the contrary, said that the Son of God “did nothing wrong.” Both robbers were released in the morning, and the soldiers guarding him only removed the crown of thorns from the head of Jesus and allowed the women to drink it.

The Bible says that his mother Mary, her sister and Mary Magdalene were nearby, but this is a delusion. The mother was not around, she only foresaw that trouble had happened to her son, but she did not see the execution.

Resurrection of Christ

The Bible vividly describes the moment of Christ's death, his voice addressed to Elijah for salvation, and the malevolent remarks of the assembled laity that help never came. The Scripture tells how nature rebelled when Jesus stopped breathing, and how the priests had to strengthen the guard near the cross, fearing that the people would rise up and rush to remove the martyr.

According to the rules, after a person died on the cross, the soldier was obliged to pierce the body with a spear. When this was done to Jesus, it was not black, clotted blood that came out of his wound, but scarlet, which said that Jesus was still alive. The people who noticed this were silent, not pointing to this fact, and this saved him from death.

On Friday, April 19, Pontius Pilate allowed the body of Christ to be removed for burial at the request of Joseph of Arithamea, without even taking a fee from him. When the latter returned to the place of execution, an elder was near the martyr, who asked the centurion not to interrupt Christ's knees, so as not to spoil the body of a respected person, since he felt that Jesus was still alive. The centurion, out of compassion, did not perform such a monstrous procedure, and the body was transferred for burial.

Most people know the legal version, but the Higher Powers talk about the resurrection differently, more plausibly and logically, because there is no clear answer in the Bible on which day Jesus resurrected after the crucifixion (he died on Friday, and the resurrection occurred on Sunday, but this is the second, not the third day).

Secret disciples Nicodemus and Joseph of Arithamey transferred the body of Jesus to the family tomb of the latter. For 4 hours, they carried out the necessary procedures over the body: they washed it, wrapped it in bandages soaked in oils and balms so that the wounds healed, and finally, in a shroud. The Roman soldiers made sure that the burial rite was performed according to the rules, closed the entrance with a stone and sealed it.

In fact, Joseph of Arithamey, in whose tomb it was allowed to bury Jesus, knew a secret passage to the tomb, located on the opposite side of the hill. The next day, Joseph and Nicodemus made their way into the crypt, freed Jesus from the bandages, gave him wine and life-giving herbal balm to drink, and fed him honey. Then the three of them left the tomb only by the way known to them, and Jesus decided to visit his guards.

By coincidence, nature was on the side of the martyr, a severe thunderstorm began. Thunder and lightning tore the sky in harsh flashes, the earth trembled, the rain poured down like a wall. Against the backdrop of an earthly cataclysm, a thin figure in a light robe, who had come from nowhere, led the soldiers guarding the tomb into indescribable horror.

They remembered the words of Jesus about the resurrection and thought that this angel had come for their souls to punish them for their involvement in the execution of Christ. In fear, the guards fled, and Jesus moved the stone that closed the entrance to the cave, laid the shroud on the couch, closed the entrance again without damaging the seal, and left with his friends. The storm left no hint that the tomb had been opened, and the fear and guilt of the guards painted a mystical picture in their imagination.

Jesus stayed with a friend of Joseph of Arithamey, and Magdalene and her maid Mary helped to mislead the rest of the people. They went to the tomb and told the guards that Jesus had risen and should not be expected, and the apostle Andrew was told Joseph's words that the Son of God would be waiting for the disciples in Galilee.

The guards saw that the seal on the stone blocking the entrance was not touched. They moved the support aside and entered the room, but it turned out to be empty, only strips of fabric with a shroud lay carelessly on the floor. The guards were stunned, not knowing what to do next. Mary Magdalene went to the other disciples of Jesus and told what had happened. Nobody believed the word, everyone wanted to make sure of the miracle and reached for the cave. The girl decided not to leave the scene to listen to what people were talking about. The shroud (later known as the Shroud of Turin) was handed over to the mother of Christ, and her friends whispered to her that her son was alive and she would see him soon.

Jesus did not appear near the cave, and after resting for a couple of days, he went to Galilee to meet with the disciples. In Galilee, under the cover of night, he entered the house where his companions gathered, and said: “Peace be with you!”. Night, candle flame made the appearance of the teacher mysterious. No one believed that before them was a living person, and not a ghost. Jesus calmed the disciples, inviting the doubters to come up, look at the wounds, touch him. Then Jesus asked for food and ate fish and honey with everyone, saying: "Everything happened as it was prophesied."

After the meal, he warned the disciples to stay in Jerusalem, not to go and follow him. No one dared to object, everyone felt embarrassed, ashamed that they did not resist the arrest of the righteous man, did not help him during the execution, did not believe the words.

Jesus himself forgave everyone and went to Bethany to see his mother. He lived the rest of his life in Gaul, mining and processing gold.

The execution of crucifixion was the most shameful, the most painful and the most cruel. In those days, only the most notorious villains were executed with such a death: robbers, murderers, rebels and criminal slaves. The suffering of a crucified man is indescribable. In addition to unbearable pain in all parts of the body and suffering, the crucified one experienced terrible thirst and mortal spiritual anguish. Death was so slow that many were tormented on the cross for several days. Even the executioners - usually cruel people - could not coolly look at the suffering of the crucified. They prepared a drink with which they tried either to quench their unbearable thirst, or, with the admixture of various substances, to temporarily dull their consciousness and alleviate their torment. According to Jewish law, a person hung from a tree was considered cursed. The leaders of the Jews wanted to disgrace Jesus Christ forever by condemning Him to such a death. When they brought Jesus Christ to Golgotha, the soldiers served Him to drink sour wine mixed with bitter substances in order to alleviate suffering. But the Lord, having tasted it, did not want to drink it. He did not want to use any remedy to relieve suffering. He voluntarily accepted these sufferings upon Himself for the sins of people; That's why I wanted to endure them.

When everything was ready, the soldiers crucified Jesus Christ. It was about noon, in Hebrew, at the 6th hour of the day. When they crucified Him, He prayed for His tormentors, saying: "Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing."

Two villains (thieves) were crucified next to Jesus Christ, one on the right and the other on the left side of Him. So the prediction of the prophet Isaiah was fulfilled, who said: "And he was counted among the evildoers" (Isaiah 53:12).

By order of Pilate, an inscription was nailed to the cross over the head of Jesus Christ, signifying His guilt. It was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Roman, "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews," and many read it. Such an inscription did not please the enemies of Christ. Therefore, the chief priests came to Pilate and said: "Do not write: King of the Jews, but write that He said: I am the King of the Jews."

But Pilate answered: "What I have written, I have written."

Meanwhile, the soldiers who crucified Jesus Christ took His clothes and began to divide them among themselves. They tore the outer garment into four pieces, one piece for each warrior. The chiton (underwear) was not sewn, but all woven from top to bottom. Then they said to each other: "We will not tear it apart, but we will cast lots for it, whoever gets it." And casting lots, the soldiers sitting guarded the place of execution. So, here, too, the ancient prophecy of King David came true: "They divided My garments among themselves, and they cast lots for My garments" (Psalm 21:19).

Enemies did not stop insulting Jesus Christ on the cross. As they passed, they slandered and, nodding their heads, said: "Hey! Destroying the temple and building up in three days! Save yourself. If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross."

Also, the chief priests, scribes, elders and Pharisees, mockingly, said: “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself. now let God deliver him, if he pleases him; for he said, I am the Son of God.

Following their example, the pagan warriors, who sat at the crosses and guarded the crucified, mockingly said: "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself." Even one of the crucified robbers, who was to the left of the Savior, slandered Him and said: "If you are the Christ, save yourself and us."

The other robber, on the contrary, calmed him down and said: “Or are you not afraid of God, when you yourself are condemned to the same (i.e., to the same torment and death)? and He did nothing wrong." Having said this, he turned to Jesus Christ with a prayer: "Remember me (remember me), Lord, when you come into Your Kingdom!"

The merciful Savior accepted the heartfelt repentance of this sinner, who showed such wondrous faith in Him, and answered the prudent thief: "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

At the cross of the Savior stood His Mother, the Apostle John, Mary Magdalene and several other women who revered Him. It is impossible to describe the sorrow of the Mother of God, who saw the unbearable torment of her Son!

Jesus Christ, seeing His Mother and John standing here, whom He especially loved, says to His Mother: "Woman! behold, your son." Then he says to John: "Behold, your mother." From that time on, John took the Mother of God to his house and took care of Her until the end of Her life. Meanwhile, during the suffering of the Savior on Calvary, a great sign occurred. From the hour the Savior was crucified, that is, from the sixth hour (and according to our account from the twelfth hour of the day), the sun darkened and darkness fell over the whole earth, and continued until the death of the Savior. This extraordinary, universal darkness was noted by pagan historian writers: the Roman astronomer Phlegont, Phallus and Junius Africanus. The famous philosopher from Athens, Dionysius the Areopagite, was at that time in Egypt, in the city of Heliopolis; observing the sudden darkness, he said: "Either the Creator suffers, or the world is destroyed." Subsequently, Dionysius the Areopagite converted to Christianity and was the first Bishop of Athens.

Around the ninth hour, Jesus Christ loudly exclaimed: "Either, Or! lima savakhfani!" that is, "My God, my God! Why did You leave Me?" These were the opening words from the 21st Psalm of King David, in which David clearly predicted the suffering on the Savior's cross. With these words the Lord reminded people for the last time that He is the true Christ, the Savior of the world. Some of those standing on Golgotha, hearing these words spoken by the Lord, said: "Behold, He is calling Elijah." And others said, "Let's see if Elijah comes to save Him." The Lord Jesus Christ, knowing that everything had already happened, said: "I thirst." Then one of the soldiers ran, took a sponge, soaked it with vinegar, put it on a cane and brought it to the withered lips of the Savior.

Having tasted the vinegar, the Savior said: "It is done," that is, the promise of God has been fulfilled, the salvation of the human race has been accomplished. Then He said with a loud voice, "Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit." And, bowing his head, he betrayed the spirit, that is, he died. And behold, the veil in the temple, which covered the holy of holies, was torn in two, from the top to the bottom, and the earth shook, and the stones split; and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection, they went into Jerusalem and appeared to many.

The centurion (the head of the soldiers) and the soldiers with him, who guarded the crucified Savior, seeing the earthquake and everything that happened before them, were frightened and said: "Truly, this man was the Son of God." And the people, who were at the crucifixion and saw everything, began to disperse in fear, striking their breasts. Friday evening came. Easter was to be eaten that evening. The Jews did not want to leave the bodies of those crucified on the crosses until Saturday, because Easter Saturday was considered a great day. Therefore, they asked Pilate for permission to kill the legs of the crucified, so that they would die sooner and could be removed from the crosses. Pilate allowed. The soldiers came and broke the shins of the robbers. When they approached Jesus Christ, they saw that He had already died, and therefore they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers, so that there would be no doubt about His death, pierced His side with a spear, and blood and water flowed from the wound.

NOTE: See in the Gospel: from Matt., ch. 27, 33-56; from Mark, ch. 15, 22-41; from Luke, ch. 23, 33-49; from John, ch. 19, 18-37.