When the Arimathæan took Thee dead from the Tree
who art the Life of all,
He wrapped Thee, O Christ,
with myrrh and linen;
and he longed to embrace Thee
and to press Thine undefiled Body to his heart and lips.
But, being restrained by fear,
with rejoicing he cried out to Thee:
“Glory to Thy condescension, O Lover of humankind!”

— from vespers on the afternoon of Holy Friday