Continuing with Holy Week, one of the unusual things about it is that the services are backward; the morning services are done at night and the night services are done in the morning. There are a few reasons for this but I think it's mainly to set this week apart from every other week, and also to signify that the events that take place are, in a sense, outside normal chronological time. So for the first three evenings of Holy Week, starting with last night, we do what's called Bridegroom Matins, a morning service done at night, remembering the parable of the 10 virgins. It's kind of a warm up for the rest of the week, encouraging the listeners to be vigilant, and be strong for the last week of the Fast. The distinguishing hymn of the service is:

Behold, the Bridegroom cometh at midnight,
And blessed is the servant whom He shall find watching,
And again, unworthy is the servant whom He shall find heedless.
Beware, therefore, oh my soul, do not be weighed down with sleep,
Lest thou be given up to death, and lest thou be shut out of the kingdom.
But rouse thyself crying: Holy, holy, holy art thou, oh our God.

I realize as I write this that the words of the song by themselves fall far short of conveying it's beauty, especially when sung in context. I can't read the words without hearing the distinctive Russian melody, and remembering the experience of standing in a candle-lit church with the daylight fading and the sense of anticipation, wonder, awe and a touch of fear. When you hear this hymn, you know that it's finally Holy Week.

And here are some hymns for today (Monday, hopefully other posts will be more timely as the week goes on). The translations are a bit odd and inconsistent in places, but not unreadably so.

Verily, on this present day shall be revealed to the world the solemn Passion as a saving light; for Christ of his own goodness shall come to suffer. And he who holdeth all in the hollow of his hand consented to be suspended on a Tree to save man.

O thou unseen Judge, how wast thou seen in the flesh, and how camest thou to be killed in the body by transgressors of the law, judging our case by thy Passion? Wherefore, we address to thee praise and magnification, O Word, and in unison we offer glory to thy power.

Verily, this present day usereth in with splendour the Passion of the Lord. Come, therefore, O feast lovers, let us welcome it with songs; for the Creator cometh to accept crucifixion, examination, lashes, and to be condemned by Pilate, smitten on the face by a servant, and to bear all things to save man. Wherefore, we cry unto him: O Christ God, Lover of mankind, grant forgiveness of sins to them who in faith worship thy pure Passion.