There is no liturgy on Good Friday - out of reverence for the Calvary sacrifice, once offered on the day of Great Friday by the Son of God Himself. On this day, only the royal clock is served, specially composed for this day by St. Cyril, Bishop of Alexandria, in the 5th century.
Vespers is celebrated at the 3rd hour of noon, since at this hour Jesus Christ gave up the spirit and His body was taken down from the cross. After the evening entrance with the Gospel, the Proverbs, the Apostle and the Gospel are read.
Proverbs: Exodus 33:11-23; Job 42:12-17; Isa.52:13-15;53:1-12;54:1. Apostle 1 Cor.1:18-2, 2. Gospel Matthew 27:1-38; Luke 23:39-43; Matthew 27:39-54; John 19:31-37; Matthew 27:55-61.
After reading the Gospel and the subsequent prayerful litanies, the celebrant censes around the throne, on which lies the shroud depicting the dead body of Jesus Christ, lifts it from the throne, as if from Golgotha, and while singing the troparion: “Blessed Joseph...” reverently transfers it to the middle of the church and places it on the prepared table, serving as an image of the tomb in which Joseph laid the body of the Lord. Arimathean. After this, believers offer reverent worship to the Lord depicted on it.
Stichera, which is sung before the removal of the shroud from the throne:
Wearing you with light, like a robe, Joseph fell from the tree with Nicodemus, and seeing the dead naked woman unburied, let us accept the merciful cry, sobbing saying: Alas for me, sweetest Jesus! The sun hanging in the distance on the cross saw that it was covered with darkness, and the earth shook with fear, and the church veil was torn apart. But now I see You, for my sake death has risen by will. How shall I bury Thee, my God? or what kind of shroud will I wrap myself around? With which hand shall I touch Your incorruptible body? or how will I sing songs about Your exodus, O Generous One? I magnify Your passion, I will sing songs and Your burial with the resurrection, calling: Lord, glory to You.