Matthew 27:33–54
33They arrived to a place called “Golgotha,” which means, “The place of a skull.” 34They gave him sour wine mixed with gall to drink, but having tasted it, he would not drink. 35After crucifying him, they divided his clothing among them, casting lots.’ 36Then, the soldiers sat and watched him. 37They placed above his head the accusation against him in these words, “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
38Two rebels were also crucified with him, one on his right hand and one on the left. 39Those who passed by blasphemed him, shaking their heads 40and saying, “You who [would] destroy the sanctuary and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!”
41Likewise the chief priests also mocked him, with the scribes, the presbyters and the Pharisees, saying, 42“He saved others, but he cannot save himself! If he is the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him! 43He trusts in God! Let God deliver him now, if he wants him; for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44The rebels also who were crucified with him reviled him as well [and] in the same way.
45From the sixth hour, there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46About the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
47Some of those who stood there heard it and said, “This man is calling Elias (Elijah)!”
48Immediately, one of them ran to take a sponge; he filled it with vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. 49But the others said, “Let him be. Let us see whether Elias (Elijah) comes to save him.”
50Jesus cried again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. 51Behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split. 52The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised 53and came out of the tombs after his resurrection. (They entered into the holy city and appeared to many). 54Now, when the centurion and those who were with him watching Jesus saw the earthquake and the things that were taking place, they became extremely fearful and said, “Truly, this was the Son of God!”
You will hear this Gospel read at The Good Shepherd Orthodox Church during Holy Week, on Great and Holy Thursday. It is followed by the Gospel reading from Luke 23:32-49.
Details
The Good Shepherd Orthodox Church, located in Clayton, Melbourne, is a living witness to the power of the Gospel and the fullness of the Christian Faith in modern, secular Australia.
About us. We are a vibrant Australian Christian community under the direction of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand & the Philippines, which is under the jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East. The Church of Antioch is the continuation of the Christian community founded in Antioch by the Apostles Peter (who served as its first bishop) and Paul. The Patriarchate of Antioch is the oldest of the ancient Patriarchates constituting the one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ.
All services are in the English language and the Service of Holy Thursday is held in the Main Chapel of the Religious Centre at Monash University, Clayton Campus, conveniently located in the centre of Melbourne’s residential population.
Parking in the University car parks is free after 7:00 pm, but please take note of all signs regarding Loading Zones, No Standing and Disabled Parking, these restrictions apply and are enforced.