Speech of St. Gregory Nazianzen for Good Friday

Let us sacrifice not young calves, nor lambs that put forth horns and hooves, in which many parts are destitute of life and feeling; but let us sacrifice to God the sacrifice of praise upon the heavenly Altar, with heavenly dances. Let us sacrifice ourselves to God; or rather let us go on sacrificing throughout every day and at every moment with the temptations, struggles and joys of our life.

If you are a Simon of Cyrene, take up the Cross and follow. If you are crucified with Him as a robber, acknowledge God as a penitent robber. If even he was numbered among the transgressors for you and your sin, do you become law-abiding for His sake. Worship him who was hanged for you, even if you yourself are hanging; make some gain even from your wickedness; purchase salvation by your death; enter with Jesus into Paradise, so that you may learn from what you have fallen. Contemplate the glories that are there; let the murdered die outside with his blasphemies; and if you be a Joseph of Arimathaea, beg the Body from him that crucified Him, make your own that which cleanses the world.

If you be a Nicodemus, the worshiper of God by night, bury Him with spices. If you be a Mary, or another May, or a Salome, or a Joanna, weep early in the morning. Be first to see the stone taken away, and perhaps you will see the angels and Jesus Himself. Say something; hear His voice. If He says to you “Touch me not,” stand far off; reverence the Word, but grieve not; for He knows those to whom He appears first.

Keep the feast of the Resurrection; some to the aid of Eve who was first to fall, of her who first embraced Christ and made Him known to the disciples. Be a Peter or a John; hasten to the Sepulchre, running together, running against one another, vying in the noble race. And even if you are beaten in speed, win the victory of zeal; not looking into the tomb, but going in. And if, like Thomas, you were left out when the disciples were assembled to who Christ shows himself, when you do see Him be not faithless; and if you do not believe, then believe those who tell you; and if you cannot believe them either, then have confidence in the print of the nails.

Learn to know the mysteries of Christ, to save all mankind absolutely by His manifestation of Resurrection.