Eastern Orthodox Christians and many Byzantine-rite Catholics, who use the same liturgy, spend this day fasting from all food, to the extent that their health permits.
Instead, they come together three times during the day for communal worship: The prayers include commemoration of the events of Jesus' crucifixion and burial.
Holding both events in tension, the following troparia (hymns) are sung during the afternoon prayers while the epitaphios (shroud) is being carried to the tomb: In the Roman Rite the first part of the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord consists of the reading or chanting of Isaiah 52:13–53:12, Hebrews 4:14–16, 5:7–9, and the Passion account from the Gospel of John, which is often divided between more than one cantor or reader.
This part concludes with a series of prayers: for the Church, the Pope, the clergy and laity of the Church, those preparing for baptism, the unity of Christians, the Jewish people, those who do not believe in Christ, those who do not believe in God, those in public office, those in special need.
Almighty ever-living God, who in Christ revealed your glory to all the nations, watch over the works of your mercy, that your Church, spread throughout all the world, may persevere with steadfast faith in confessing your name.
Almighty and eternal God, You guide all things by your word, You govern all Christian people.
For Unity of Christians: Let us pray For all our brothers and sisters Who share our faith in Jesus Christ, That God may gather and keep together in one church All those who seek the truth with sincerity.
Almighty and eternal God, Long ago you gave your promise to Abraham and his posterity.
Almighty and eternal God, Enable those who do not acknowledge Christ To find the truth As they walk before you in sincerity of heart.
Almighty and eternal God, You created mankind So that all might long to find you And have peace when you are found, Grant that, in spite of the hurtful things That stand in their way, They may all recognize in the lives of Christians The tokens of your love and mercy, And gladly acknowledge you As the one true God and Father of us all.
In your goodness Watch over those in authority, So that people everywhere may enjoy Religious freedom, security, and peace.
For Those in Special Need: Let us pray, dear friends, That God the almighty Father May heal the sick, Comfort the dying, Give safety to travelers, Free those unjustly deprived of liberty, And rid the world of falsehood, Hunger and disease.
Almighty, ever-living God, You give strength to the weary And new courage to those who have lost heart.