An Explanation Of The Veneration Of The Cross Service

The comments below explain the modern practice of the Veneration of the Cross service. This ancient service was recovered and mandated for use in Roman Catholic parishes in 1956 and has provided the basis for many reforms in Protestant worship on Good Friday since that time. Adapt to local usage and custom.

The modern service venerating the cross is made up of three parts: the Liturgy of the Word, the Veneration of the Cross, and the Communion. The Service of the Word, like other solemn services, begins in silence. The opening prayer catches the full meaning of the event: "Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death for sinners." Readings from the Old Testament, the Psalms, and epistle then follow. After these readings, the congregation is involved in the hearing of the Passion from St. John. The Passion reading may be read again as it was on Palm Sunday, or it may be sung. After a sermon and hymn, the solemn prayers are prayed. The specific origin of the solemn prayers is not known; nevertheless, it is known that they go back to prayers said in the church, prayers developed perhaps in Rome to be used as intercession at the Eucharist. These prayers cover a wide range of subjects, such as prayers for leaders of government, the poor and oppressed, and those who have never heard of Christ. Next comes the Veneration of the Cross. This service originated in Jerusalem, but was not incorporated into the Western liturgy until the end of the seventh century. Throughout the medieval era, it gained considerable popularity and became known as "Creeping to the Cross." Although the occasion of this service is very solemn, the solemnity is enhanced through the use of a dramatic visual. A large cross may be carried through the congregation by the celebrant, flanked by acolytes with candles. The cross may be draped with a purple cloth. The celebrant with attendants carries the cross one third of the way up the aisle of the church, stops, removes the cloth from a part of the cross, raises the cross high into the air, and sings: "This is the wood of the cross on which hung the Savior of the world," to which the people respond, "Come, let us worship." Then all kneel for a moment, observing the cross. The same order is followed two more times, bringing the cross to the front of the sanctuary, where it is placed in sight of all the people. The service now continues with the saying or singing of the reproaches. The reproaches, which are Scriptures freely collected and translated, are put into the mouth of Jesus (written in the ninth century). Jesus, while hanging on the cross as it were, utters his lament that the world has turned its back on his love. In moving words of intense feeling, Christ calls on the world to repent and be converted to him. He recounts how he led his people out of Egypt, through the desert, and yet "thou has hanged me on the gibbet of the cross." These reproaches are followed by anthems of praise and a concluding prayer for grace. If the reproaches are sung by a choir, the Veneration of the Cross can take place during the singing. The Veneration itself is a very simple gesture. The cross is in display at the front of the sanctuary, and the people, moving in rows, come to the cross, where they may touch it, kiss it, bow before it, or lie prostrate on the floor before it. Or people may simply walk by it, acknowledging that it is the instrument of death through which Christ overcame the power of the evil one and gained the salvation of the world. The third part, and ending of the service, is the reception of the bread and wine retained from the service of Maundy Thursday. In this service, typical prayers of thanksgiving are not said, since the bread and wine was blessed the evening before. In the early church, it was a tradition not to celebrate Communion on the Friday of his death, a tradition that is being observed once again in contemporary worship. When this ancient custom is followed, the Good Friday service ends with the Veneration of the Cross. In either event, all the people leave in silence. This service may be celebrated at noon, but it is best celebrated on Good Friday evening.