Today, Holy Tuesday, April 14, the Church commemorates the Parable of the Ten Virgins, which is read at the Vespers service with a Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.
During this service, several troparia are chanted, which had already been chanted last night during the Bridegroom Orthros on Holy Tuesday. Among other things, there is a reference to the talents that God gives to every person who is called to make wise investments of them. What is striking is that it offers the opportunity, even with a talent, to that person who does not want or do not humbly try to work and put their talents to work for their sanctification and salvation.
The Bridegroom Orthros of Holy Wednesday is celebrated on this evening. The troparia that are sung also refer to the repentance of the sinful woman who anointed Jesus with myrrh.
The hymn writers also present a negative commentary on this fact made by some disciples, most likely by Judas Iscariot, who just a few days ago found a similar act by Mary of Bethany, rushed to comment slyly, as is the case with many people in every era. The question and the suggestion is the following: “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages?”. The cruelty and hypocrisy of Judas underlies behind this question/suggestion because, on the one hand, he is the keeper of the apostles’ purse and steals from it, and, on the other hand, plans how to betray his teacher and negotiates the remuneration for this betrayal.
At the same time, the humiliation and repentance of the sinful woman who found the courage to approach Him, show her repentance and ask Him for forgiveness and love of the Savior Christ to His creation.
The Troparion of Kassiani is chanted tonight. The hymn writer Kassiani also wrote other ecclesiastical poems, which are preserved in the liturgical texts of the Church.
Source: Church of Cyprus