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Plaschenytsia
The veneration of the Holy Shroud (the Plaschenytsia) on Good Friday is a custom that began in Christian countries over 1000 years ago. This tradition is continued by Ukrainians in Bradford today.
A representative tomb, the Holy Sepulchre, is prepared at the front of the church, incorporating a picture of Christ with His wounds laying in repose, surrounded by flowers and candles. A procession enters the church - worshippers carry the Crucifix and the Holy Shroud (representing the winding cloth that Christ was buried in), the priest carries the Holy Eucharist, whilst altar boys carry lighted candles. This procession symbolises the journey made from the Crucifix to Christ's Tomb. The Holy Shroud is then placed on the Holy Sepulchre. The faithful are now able to approach the Plaschenytsia, and whilst on their knees make the Sign of the Cross and kiss all five wounds of Christ.
The Plaschenytsia is traditionally guarded and here in Bradford, sumivti take turns to keep vigil at the Plaschenytsia from Good Friday to the Resurrection Mass, which takes place late in the evening on Easter Saturday.
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