Great and Holy Tuesday

ON HOLY AND GREAT TUESDAY we listen to our Savior's replies to the wily questions of the Pharisees and scribes, who tried to trap Him; we hear His stern rebukes of their envy and deceit. The parables of the Ten Virgins and of the Talents remind us how we should always keep watch over our conscience and use in God's service any gift or talent we have received from Him. The Gospel then tells Christ's prophecy of His second coming and the Last Judgment. It ends with the awful warning: "Ye know that after two days is the feast of the Passover, and the Son of Man is betrayed to be crucified."

The Synaxarion, and the Kontakion of this day emphasize the gravity of God's examination of our life and the account we will have to give of ourselves:

Today we bring to mind the parable of the ten virgins, which Jesus related as He was coming to His Passion. This parable teaches us that the accomplishment of the great work of virginity should not make us careless in other matters, especially in almsgiving, wherewith the lamp of virginity is made radiant. Furthermore, it teaches us that we should not be remiss about the end of our life, but should be prepared for it at every moment, like the wise virgins, so that we may meet the Bridegroom, lest He come suddenly and the doors of the heavenly bridechamber be shut, and we also, like the foolish virgins, hear the dread sentence: "Amen, I say unto you, I know you not" (Matt. 25:1-13).

The Kontakion (Second Tone)

Being mindful of the hour of the end, O my soul, and fearing because of the cutting down of the fig tree, labor diligently with the talent that was given thee, O hapless one, and be watchful and cry: Let us not remain outside the bridal chamber of Christ.