A second Passia service with the chanting of the Akathist to the Passions of Christ was served at the Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery’s Trinity Cathedral.

During this evening service, we heard the narration by the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark about the Savior praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, the betrayal of His disciples, the judgment before Pontius Pilate, Christ’s way to Golgotha, and His Crucifixion. By taking on a great cause of the salvation of mankind, the Lord voluntarily took upon Himself all the afflictions He had to ultimately suffer on His way. To give salvation to all the people, Christ had to endure all imaginable humiliation and sorrow including the slander and agony of Death on the Cross.

We see here the example how the Savior remains obedient to His Heavenly Father until His Death on the Cross. The Lord, particularly in His suffering, displayed complete submission and devotion to the will of the Father and the ultimate forgiveness. Although His soul was sorrowful unto death before His sufferings on the Cross, and even if Christ prayed that the cup of trials passes Him over, He left it for His God the Father to decide if His prayer is fulfilled or not.

During the time of trial and sufferings, not a word of murmur has ever issued from His lips. Not only the Lord hated no one but He prayed for His haters, slanderers, and enemies who crucified Him.

By holding the services of Passia during the Holy Forty Days, the Holy Church reminds us of a heavy cost paid to redeem us from the slavery of sin. For His sufferings, the Savior was crowned with glory in Heaven. All true Christians will gain the same reward for the sufferings they bear for truth and the good if they are to suffer to the glory of our Crucified Lord.