Good Friday: Crucifixion

In the Eastern Church, the Crucifixion is primarily understood as a prelude to the Resurrection. In the monastery church of Daphne, Athens, for example, the Crucifixion icon is on the left (north) of the altar and the Resurrection icon is on the right (south) of the altar. The sequence is read from left to right, so the table represents the tomb. In the Eucharist, the body and blood of the dead Christ are taken from the “tomb” to become alive in the people, who are the living body of Christ.

While we live through the events of Easter one at a time, they should not be separated, but at each stage we see the whole story of salvation.

This large crucifixion is original, though the mother of Jesus and the Beloved Disciple have been borrowed from the icon displayed earlier.

PRAYER: Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.