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Epitaphios

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===Vespers on Good Friday===
[[Image:2011-04-22-Apokathylosis.jpg|right|thumb|200px|From the ''Apokathylosis Service'', prior to the removal of Christ's Body (the Epitaphios) from the Cross, and its placement in the [[Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Jerusalem)|Sepulcher]] (''Toronto, ON'')]]
[[Image:shroud.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Epitaphios prior to Paschal vigil at Christ the Savior Orthodox Church (''Chicago, IL'')]]
'''The Deposition from the Cross.''' Prior to the ''Apokathelosis'' (lit. "taking-down from the tree") [[Vespers]] on the afternoon of Great Friday, the priest and deacon will place the Epitaphios on the Holy Table. The priest may also anoint the Epitaphios with perfumed oil. A chalice veil and the [[Gospel Book]] is placed on top of the Epitaphios. This may be either the large Gospel Book used at the [[Divine Liturgy]], or it may be a small one.
===Matins on Holy Saturday===
[[Image:shroud.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Epitaphios prior to Paschal vigil at Christ the Savior Orthodox Church (''Chicago, IL'')]]
'''The Burial of Christ'''. During Matins, ''Lamentations'' (Greek: Επιτάφιος Θρήνος, ''epitaphios thrênos'', lit. "winding-sheet lamentation"; or Εγκομια, ''enkomia'', "praises") are sung before the Epitaphios as at the tomb of Christ, while all hold lighted candles. The verses of these Lamentations are interspersed between the verses of Psalm 118 (the chanting of this psalm forms a major part of the Orthodox funeral service). The psalm is divided into three sections, called ''stases''. At the beginning of each stasis, the priest or deacon will perform a censing. At the third and final stasis, the priest will sprinkle rosewater on the Epitaphios and the congregation, symbolizing the anointing of Christ's body with spices.
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