Product Code Database
In Christianity, Holy Wednesday commemorates the Bargain of Judas as a clandestine spy among the disciples. (2025). 9780829448979, Loyola Press. ISBN 9780829448979 It is also called Spy Wednesday, or Good Wednesday (in Western Christianity), and Great and Holy Wednesday (in Eastern Christianity).
In Western Christianity, many churches of various denominations observe the tenebrae service on Holy Wednesday. (2004). 9780819219664, Church Publishing. ISBN 9780819219664
In reference to Judas Iscariot's intent to betray Jesus, formed on Holy Wednesday, the day is sometimes called "Spy Wednesday".
Prior to the Second Vatican Council, the Tenebrae liturgy of matins and lauds of Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday) used to be celebrated in the afternoon or evening of Good Wednesday. The name comes from the Latin word tenebrae, meaning darkness. In this Church service, all the candles on a special candelabra and on the altar were gradually extinguished except for one. This was then hidden and the church was left in complete darkness. Next, after recitation of and a special prayer, a loud noise (in Latin strepitus) was made, which was originally a signal for the ministers to depart but was later interpreted as symbolizing the confusion and terror that accompanied the death of Jesus, including the earthquake that, according to the Gospel of , followed. A similar celebration of matins and lauds of Good Friday and Holy Saturday used to be held towards the close of each of the preceding days. Herbert Thurston, "Tenebrae" in The Catholic Encyclopedia (New York 1912) This custom is still retained by those Catholic Churches which celebrate the pre-1955 Holy Week Reforms.
In the older form of the Mass known as the Tridentine Mass the readings for Holy Wednesday are taken from ; and the Gospel according to St. ; . In the 1955 Holy Week Reform, the first 38 verses of the 22nd chapter of St. Luke were removed. Those 38 verses are retained in the Roman Catholic Churches which celebrate the pre-1955 Holy Week. In the ordinary form of the Roman Rite the readings on Holy Wednesday are Isaiah 50.4–9a and Matthew 26.14–25.
On the evening of Spy Wednesday, many Methodist churches observe the Tenebrae service.
The day begins at vespers to which may be joined the celebration of the Presanctified Liturgy; typically, this is now performed Tuesday morning or afternoon. At this service, many of the hymns sung at matins are repeated. The readings tell of the finding of Moses and the sufferings of Job. The Gospel tells a number of parables about the Second Coming, including the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins.
Later that evening (in parish practice) or early the following morning, the matins follows the special format known as the Bridegroom Service which is used the first three days of Holy Week. The Gospel is a passage from John 12 about Jesus revealing himself to some Greeks. Towards the end of matins, the Kassia is sung. The hymn, (written in the 9th century by Kassia) tells of the woman who washed Christ's feet in the house of Simon the Leper (). Much of the hymn is written from the perspective of the sinful woman:
Where Byzantine music is used, the composition expresses the poetry so strongly that it often leaves many people in a state of prayerful tears. The Hymn can last upwards of 25 minutes and is liturgically and musically a highpoint of the entire year.
At vespers, to which may be joined the celebration of the Presanctified Liturgy, and which, strictly speaking, is the liturgical beginning of Maundy Thursday, many of the hymns sung at matins are repeated. The readings tell of Moses' killing of the Egyptian and Job refusing to curse God despite his misfortunes. The Gospel tells the stories of the sinful woman and Judas' betrayal.
In Greece (and some other places the custom has spread to) all members of the church receive Holy Unction on Wednesday evening. Great Lent, Holy Week, and Pascha: The Sacrament of Holy Unction: Holy Wednesday afternoon and Evening
It is on account of the agreement made by Judas to betray Jesus on this day that Orthodox Christians fasting on Wednesdays (as well as Fridays) throughout the year.
|
|
