The Moscow Patriarchate external church relations department told RIA Novosti that the Patriarch will head the orthron with the Burial service of the Holy Shroud later in the day in the cathedral.
On Good Friday, Orthodox believers remember the Passion and the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Good Friday is considered the most mournful day of the ecclesiastical year, when strict fast is observed. On this day, Jesus Christ was crucified and died on the Cross, redeeming people.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
Later in the day on Good Friday, when Jesus died on the Cross, the Holy Shroud is taken out from the altar in all Orthodox churches. This is an icon or an embroidered image.
The Shroud is placed in the middle part of the church until the Sunday Easter divine service, when it is brought back to the Communion table.
After the Shroud is taken out, believers bow to it, remembering the Passion of Christ.
