Page "Great Lent" Paragraph 103

The next morning ( Saturday ), the Divine Liturgy of St.

Basil is celebrated ( combined with Vespers ).

At the beginning of the service, the hangings and vestments are still black.

The service is much longer than usual, and includes 15 Old Testament readings recounting the history of salvation, and showing types of the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Many parts of the liturgy which are normally chanted in front of the Holy Doors are instead done in front of the epitaphios.

Just before the Gospel reading, the hangings and vestments are changed to white, and the entire atmosphere of the service is transformed from sorrow to joy.

In the Greek practice, the priest will strew the entire church with fresh bay leaves, symbolizing Christ's victory over death.

This service symbolizes the Descent of Christ into Hades and the Harrowing of Hell.

Thus, according to Orthodox theology, Jesus ' salvific work on the Cross has been accomplished, and the righteous departed in the Bosom of Abraham have been released from their bondage ; however, the Good News of the Resurrection has not yet been proclaimed to the living on earth ( this will occur during the Paschal Vigil ).

For this reason, the faithful do not yet break their fast nor exchange the paschal kiss.