advances
nearer to the middle of the altar, and uncovers the right arm of the
crucifix, and repeats the same words in a higher tone, and again in
a still higher tone before the middle of the altar, where he uncovers
the whole cross. The choir answers as before, and all except the
celebrant kneel each time the words are repeated. The Cardinal then
places the crucifix on a rich cushion lying on the steps of the
altar[90].

[Sidenote: Trisagion.]

I observed above, that it was formerly customary for the Pope and all
others to walk bare-footed in the procession of this day, as others
royal personages have done; for instance, S. Louis of France, S.
Elisabeth of Hungary, and others. Thus to be barefooted was a sign of
mourning (1 Sam. XV, 30. Jer. II, 25) among the Jews. Their priests
were without shoes at their functions, in token of reverence (Exod.
III, 5. Jos. V, 15). Some memorial of this practice is preserved in
the present custom of taking off the shoes of the principal persons
who revere and kiss the cross on this day. The Pope's shoes are taken
off by an _Ajutante di Camera_, His cope by acolythes (_Votanti di
Segnatura_), and afterwards His Holiness then makes three profound
genuflections before the crucifix, gradually approaching nearer to it,
and then kisses it in token of his love for Him, who died upon it for
our salvation[91]. He also empties a purse, containing an offering
of 100 _scudi d'oro_, into a silver basin near the crucifix. When the
Pope is about to make the first genuflection, the choir begins to sing
the _improperii_, the sentiments of which, and the chant composed by
Palestrina [92], are admirably adapted to the pathetic ceremony. In
them God enumerates the unparalleled benefits which he lavished upon
the Jews, and the atrocious crimes by which they repaid Him. At the
end of each _improperium_ or reproach, the Trisagion is sung by one
choir in Greek, and in Latin by another "Holy God! Holy strong one!
Holy immortal, have mercy on us"[93]. The Pope then returns to his
throne; he resumes his previous vestments and reads the _improperii_
from the Missal held as usual by an assist. bishop kneeling. The
Cardinal celebrant and all the other members of the sacred college,
after their shoes have been taken off, assisted by the _Ceremonieri_
revere and kiss the crucifix in the same manner as the Pope has done;
and each of them leaves an offering of a _scudo d'oro_ according to
an ancient custom.[94] Whe