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The '''Service of the Bridegroom''' is a service specific to the first three evenings of [[Holy Week]] and commemorates the last days in the earthly life of our Lord. Incorporated into these services is the theme of the first three days of Holy Week; which is the last teachings of Christ to his disciples. As such, these services incorporate readings and hymns inspiring this theme. The mood of the services is to experience sorrow and to feel Christ's voluntary submission to His passions and highlight the purpose behind the evil that is about to take place against the Lord. The atmosphere is one of mourning (for our sins) and is symbolic of the shame we should feel for the Fall of Adam and Eve, the depths of hell, the lost Paradise and the absence of God. The vestments of the Priest and the altar clothes are black or deep purple to symbolise and enhance the atmosphere of mourning and remembrance of our sins. The main emphasis of the ''Bridegroom ServeService'' is ''[[metanoia]]'' and each service has its own particular theme on repentance and watchfullness.

''Behold, the Bridegroom cometh comes in the middle of the night, and blessed is that the servant whom He shall find watchingvigilant; and again but unworthy is he whom he shall find neglectful..Beware therefore O my soul, lest you be weighed down by sleep, lest you be given over to death and be closed out from the kingdom; but rise up crying out: “Holy! Holy! Holy are You our God; through the intercessions of the Theotokos, have mercy on us.''