In the period of Lent, except for the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, another special service is performed, which entered the practice of the Orthodox Church from the 17th century. It is a passion (from Latin passio - suffering, passion), a unique liturgical rank, during which commemoration of the suffering of God and suffering on Calvary Christ the Savior.
The tradition of committing passions is connected with Catholic influence, because it was in the West that this rite was born. However, it was more like a theatrical performance when the priesthood was dressed in appropriate costumes and read stories about the sufferings of Christ, which were sometimes interrupted by music and singing (for example, JS Bach wrote Passion for Matthew specifically for the Passion).
In Orthodox treatment, the rank of the Passion first appears in Ukraine during the Met. Peter Mogila, who introduced him into practice in opposition to similar services from Catholics. In total for Lent there are four passions in the number of canonical Gospels. The Orthodox passion for its external rite is not in all similar to the Western tradition. There is no theatricality in it: clergymen at the large crucifixion - Golgotha read in a row the evangelical narrative about the sufferings of Christ, which combines with the reading of the akathist to the Passion of Christ and the hymns of the Great Sabbath. In the passion creates a special prayerful mood of empathy for the Lord. Prayers are urged not only to remember the price of their atonement, but also to fight against the sins with which we crucify Christ again and again. 
Often you can meet various criticisms of the rank of the Passion. Many oppose this service, considering it to be Catholic and incorrect, because it is not in the Church's Charter. However, this is all excessive bias, because the emphasis of the passion is in prayer, and not in external attributes. During the Passion, we prayerfully empathize with the Passion of Christ. This divine service confronts us with complex but important questions. Can we accept with goodwill our life's cross? Do we have enough patience to bear resentment and betrayal? How ready are we to fight the passions and sin?
It is unlikely that each of us will have the answers to these questions. In captivity of vanity and routine routine, we often forget about the price at which the salvation of mankind was achieved. The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians all of us: You were bought with a price (1 Corinthians 7, 23), - recalling the Sacrifice of the Sacrifice.
The time of Lent is most suitable for realizing and feeling the greatness of Christ's sacrifice. We recommend everyone at least once to visit the Passion, to feel all the prayerful splendor of this unique worship.
