The Passia (from Latin passio — «suffering», «passion») is one of the most moving, solemn, and penitential liturgical services of the Orthodox Church, celebrated during Great Lent. This service represents a unique Ukrainian contribution to world Christian liturgy: it was composed and introduced into church practice in the first half of the 17th century by the great metropolitan of Kyiv, Saint Peter Mogila (1596–1647), within the venerable walls of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra [1].
First published in the Lavra’s Flowery Triodion (1629) and the Sluzhebnik (1632), the Passia ingeniously adapted the Christian contemplation of the Way of the Cross (Via Crucis) into the Byzantine rite. Centered upon the solemn veneration of the Life-Giving Cross placed in the middle of the church, the chanting of the Passion Gospels of the four Evangelists, and the singing of the Akathist to the Divine Passions of Christ, it features the haunting refrain of the Wise Thief: «Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom!» [2].
1. Liturgical Typikon of the Passia
- Celebrated on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sunday evenings of Great Lent.
- A large Crucifix of Our Lord is erected in the center of the temple, flanked by candelabra.
- The clergy process to the Crucifix in dark Lenten vestments, incensing the entire church.
- The Passion Gospels are chanted: Matthew (chs. 26–27), Mark (chs. 14–15), Luke (chs. 22–23), and John (chs. 18–19).
- The entire congregation kneels to sing the Akathist to the Divine Passions of Christ.
2. The Akathist to the Divine Passions of Christ (Selection)
Kontakion 1
O Redeemer of the world, King of ages and Lord, Who didst deign to deliver us from eternal perdition by Thy voluntary death! Beholding Thy ineffable sufferings and Thy Life-Giving Cross, we offer unto Thee a humble hymn of thanksgiving and weeping. But do Thou, Who hast infinite mercy, deliver from all afflictions us who cry unto Thee:
👉 Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom!
Ikos 1
The angelic hosts in the heavens beheld Thee with awe and trembling when Thou, coming down for our salvation, didst bend Thy knees in the Garden of Gethsemane and pray until Thy sweat became like drops of blood, saying: «Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not my will, but Thine be done!» Marveling at such fathomless humility, with tears we cry unto Thee:
Jesus, Who didst willingly accept the cup of death for our salvation;
Jesus, Who didst pray in Gethsemane unto a sweat of blood;
Jesus, Who received from Thy disciples not even one hour of vigilance;
Jesus, Who met the betrayal of Judas with a kiss of love;
Jesus, Who was led bound to the trial of lawless judges;
👉 Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom!
Ikos 5 (At the Cross)
Beholding Thee suspended on the Cross between two thieves, one reviled Thee, but the other, seeing Thy meekness, cried: «Remember me, O Lord, when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom!». And Thou didst answer: «Truly I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in Paradise!». Grant us also the repentance of the Wise Thief, that we may cry:
Jesus, crucified between two thieves for the salvation of sinners;
Jesus, Who prayed for Thy tormentors upon the Cross;
Jesus, Who opened the gates of Paradise to the repentant thief;
Jesus, Who thirsted and was given vinegar and gall to drink;
Jesus, Who commended Thy Blessed Mother to the beloved disciple John;
👉 Jesus, Son of God, remember us when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom!
Prayer to the Crucified Savior by Saint Peter Mogila
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, Creator of heaven and earth, Savior of the world! Behold, I, unworthy and sinful, bow the knees of my heart before the majesty of Thy glory, praising Thy saving Cross wherewith Thou didst redeem me from eternal death. Wash me with Thy most pure Blood, which flowed from Thy pierced side! Cleanse me from all defilement of flesh and spirit, and protect me by Thy holy Cross from all the snares of the devil. And when the dread hour of my death arriveth, stand by me, blot out the handwriting of my sins, and lead me into Thy Kingdom, where with Thine unoriginate Father and Thy Holy Spirit, Thou livest and reignest unto ages of ages. Amen.
Sources
- Saint Peter Mogila. The Order of the Passia. Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, 1629.
- Metropolitan Ilarion (Ohienko). Saint Peter Mogila: The Creator of Ukrainian Church Culture. Winnipeg, 1956.