The Maundy Thursday service is dedicated to the remembrance of the Last Supper and the betrayal of Jesus Christ by Judas. At Matins a special canon is sung:
1. The Red Sea is cut, the wave-fed depths are dried up, so that the coffin can be passed through unarmed and fully armed. A divine song was sung: gloriously glorified is Christ our God.
3. This Lord and Creator of all, the passionless God of creation, has united Himself to His impoverishment, and He has devoured the Passover for Himself, even though He wanted to die: eat My body, crying out, and be strengthened by faith.
4. Having foreseen the prophet of Your ineffable mystery, O Christ, proclaim: Thou hast laid down steadfast love for strength, O generous Father: Thou hast sent the only begotten Son, O Good One, purification into the world.
5. The Apostles are united by a union of love, having laid their hands on Christ, who rules over all, and cleansed their red feet, bringing the gospel of peace to all.
6. The last abyss of sins has surrounded me, and no one can bear the anxiety, as Jonah cries out to the Lady: lift me up from aphids.
7. The youths in Babylon were not afraid of the flames of the cave, but were thrown into the midst of the flames, watering their waists: Blessed are you, O Lord God of our fathers.
8. For the laws of the father's blessedness in Babylon, the youths who preceded the reign, spat upon the insane commandment, and copulated with it without being cooked by fire, holding a song worthy of singing: Sing to the Lord, O works, and exalt ye unto all ages.
9. Wanderings of the Lady and immortal meals in a high place with high minds, faith, come let us enjoy, having ascended the Word, having learned from the Word, Whom we magnify.
With a blow, the Red Sea is split, and the wave-filled abyss is dried up, becoming passable for the unarmed and at the same time a grave for the armed. Therefore, a godly song is sung: Christ our God is solemnly glorified.
Being the Lord and Creator of all, the impassive God, having become impoverished, united creation with Himself and, being an Easter for those for whom He was preparing to die, He first sacrificed Himself, crying out: eat My body and be strengthened by faith.
The Prophet, having seen Thy ineffable mystery, O Christ, proclaimed: Thou hast shown strong love of power, O merciful Father; for You, the Good One, sent your only begotten Son to cleanse the world (Hab.3:4; Rom.8:32).
The apostles, united by the union of love, having surrendered themselves to Christ, who rules over all, cleansed their beautiful feet (to go) preach peace to everyone (Is. 52:7; Rom. 10:15).
An extreme abyss of sins has surrounded me and, no longer able to bear the excitement, like Jonah, I appeal to You, Master: bring me out of corruption.
The youths in Babylon were not afraid of the flame of the furnace, but, being cast into the midst of the fire, those who were watered sang: Blessed are You, O Lord, God of our fathers.
The blessed youths in Babylon, exposed to danger for the laws of their fathers, despised the insane command of the ruler and, thrown together into the fire, but not scorched by it, sang a song worthy of the Almighty: sing praises to the Lord, O creatures, and exalt them to all ages.
The hospitality of the Lord and the immortal meal in a high place, come, faithful ones, let us enjoy the converted minds, knowing the Word that has come (here) from the Word Himself, which we magnify (Luke 22:12).
Troparion explaining the meaning of Irmos:
Go, disciples speak the Word, Easter in the maid’s place, by which the mind is strengthened, by which I teach in secret, prepare them with an unleavened word of truth, but magnify solid grace.
Go, the Word said to the disciples, prepare the Passover in a high place, by which the minds of those to whom I teach the sacrament with the unleavened word of truth are strengthened; magnify the power of grace. (Luke 22:8; Matt. 16:6; 1 Cor. 5:8).