It was the sight we now commemorate in the present Church service, and behold in the sacred image before our eyes. The sight was the Son of God, Who came down from the heavens, became Man for the salvation of the human race, and was mocked and scourged by men.

What feeling, if not that of horror, should wholly envelope the heart at this sight? What state, if not a state of absolute bewilderment, should be our state of mind? What word could be pronounced at this sight? Does not every human word die upon the lips, before it can even proceed from the lips?

And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned (Lk. 23:48).

St. Ignatius Brianchaninov