Holy Friday: Venerating the Shroud and the Lamentations Procession

Fr. Solomon Longo · April 10, 2026 · teaching

The afternoon service is Vespers with the placing of the shroud. You will venerate the shroud after the service, with prostrations in the same way you did the cross the night before. You venerate the Gospel book and Christ's feet on the shroud. The shroud will not be at the tomb at the beginning of the service, so usually no veneration is done to the tomb at the beginning of the service, which is prior to his body being brought there. The service is approximately an hour and fifteen minutes.

The evening service is the funeral, with lamentations and a procession inside the church. You will venerate the shroud as above, but both before and after the service. The third circle in the procession is made on the knees, for those able. After the third procession, you will pass under the shroud and venerate the Gospel book. Candles are available as on Holy Thursday. Watch people's hair and clothes, especially during the procession. The service is approximately two and a half hours.