The Great Vespers with the Laying of the Shroud (Велика Вечірня з Виставленням Плащаниці) is one of the most solemn and deeply moving services of Holy Friday in both the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC). It commemorates the death of Jesus Christ and His burial, allowing the faithful to mourn at the tomb of the Lord.
This service is especially important in Ukrainian Christian tradition, where it includes the ceremonial placement of the Shroud (Плащаниця), an embroidered or painted cloth depicting Christ in the tomb.
The Vespers of Great and Holy Friday has its origins in the early Christian practices of Jerusalem. By the 4th–5th centuries, Christians in Jerusalem would gather at Golgotha on Good Friday afternoon to hear the Gospel accounts of Christ’s Passion, venerate the Holy Cross, and mourn His burial.
Over time, this developed into the Great Vespers of Holy Friday, which was later adopted into Byzantine and Slavic liturgical traditions. The practice of the Laying of the Shroud (Плащаниця) was formalized in Kyivan Rus’ (Ukraine) by the 11th–13th centuries, influenced by Byzantine customs.
The service reenacts the removal of Christ’s body from the Cross and His burial by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus (Luke 23:50-56).
The Shroud (Плащаниця) symbolizes Christ’s body, placed in the tomb before His Resurrection.
This service invites the faithful to spiritually stand at the foot of the Cross, contemplating the depth of Christ’s suffering and love.
The hymns express sorrow for Christ’s Passion and gratitude for His redemption.
The service is not only a time of mourning but also of anticipation, as the burial of Christ foreshadows His victorious Resurrection.
The faithful are reminded that death is not the end, and that the tomb will soon be empty.
The Great Vespers with the Laying of the Shroud takes place on Holy Friday afternoon or evening, following the Royal Hours and sometimes the Passion Matins (Service of the 12 Gospels) from the night before.
It leads into Holy Saturday, when Christ is believed to have descended into Hades to defeat death.
Opening Prayers and Psalms – The service begins with solemn prayers and the chanting of Psalm 103, setting a reflective tone.
Old Testament Readings – Prophecies about Christ’s suffering and death (e.g., Isaiah 52:13-54:1).
Epistle and Gospel Readings –
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:2 (preaching of Christ crucified).
Gospel: Matthew 27:1-61 (Christ’s crucifixion, death, and burial).
Hymns of Lamentation – The choir and faithful chant sorrowful hymns, expressing grief over Christ’s death.
Removal and Laying of the Shroud (Плащаниця) –
The priest, acting as Joseph of Arimathea, takes the Shroud from the altar, representing the removal of Christ’s body from the Cross.
The Shroud is then carried in procession and placed in the center of the church on a decorated bier (symbolizing the tomb).
Veneration of the Shroud – The faithful approach, bow, and kiss the Shroud, offering prayers of repentance and love.
The Shroud is placed on a beautifully decorated structure, often adorned with flowers, candles, and embroidered cloths.
In Ukrainian churches, the bier represents Christ’s tomb, and many people kneel and crawl under it as a sign of humility and devotion.
In Ukrainian villages, after the service, families would return home in silence and prayer, continuing a day of strict fasting.
Some would light a candle from church and keep it burning through the night as a sign of Christ’s presence.
In some parishes, an evening procession around the church with the Shroud is performed before placing it in the “tomb.”
The faithful chant the famous hymn “Благообразний Йосиф” (“Noble Joseph…”), which describes the burial of Christ.
The Great Vespers with the Laying of the Shroud is one of the most profound services of the Ukrainian Christian tradition, allowing believers to mourn Christ’s death while anticipating His Resurrection. It is a moment of deep sorrow, reflection, and devotion, as the faithful spiritually prepare to witness the triumph of Pascha (Easter).
For Ukrainians, this service remains a deeply cherished part of Holy Week, connecting them to centuries of faith, tradition, and the hope of the Risen Christ.
