HOLY WEEK & PASCHA 2019

Lazarus Saturday • April 20

Matins 9 AM • Divine Liturgy, 10 AM
Great Vespers, 5 PM • Confessions Follow
Jesus’ raising Lazarus from the dead shows He can raise all mankind. Please also join us after Liturgy for a Falafel and spaghetti brunch, and help us prepare for the Feast by preparing and decorating the Lord’s house.

Palm Sunday • April 21

Matins and Confession, 9 AM • Divine Liturgy, 10 AM
Bishop Anthony will preside over our celebration of the triumphant entry of our Lord into Jerusalem, to face his voluntary death. “We like the children carry the palms of victory,” in Procession. Adults and children may also bring decorated candles. A Fish Dinner follows Liturgy.

Palm Sunday Evening • April 21

Bridegroom Matins, 7 PM • Confessions Follow
The Procession with the icon of Christ, the Bridegroom of the Church, takes place, and we remember the righteousness of Joseph who, like Christ, suffered unjustly with patience and was exalted.

Great Monday • April 22

Presanctified Liturgy, 10 AM
Bridegroom Matins, 7 PM • Confessions Follow
We remember the example of the ten virgins waiting for the Bridegroom.

Great Tuesday • April 23

Presanctified Liturgy, 10 AM
Bridegroom Matins, 7 PM • Confessions Follow
We remember the woman who anointed the head and feet of our Lord, wiping them with her hair, in contrast with Judas and his betrayal of Christ. The Hymn of Kassiane expresses these contrasts with profound poetry and majesty.

Great Wednesday • April 24

Presanctified Liturgy, 10 AM
Sacrament of Holy Unction, 7 PM
We are anointed for healing of soul and body as Christ was anointed in anticipation of his burial. All should have made their confession before this point.

Great Thursday Morning • April 25

Liturgy of St. Basil, 10 AM
On this day, when Jesus first said to his disciples, “Take, eat; this is my Body,” Orthodox Christians make it a point to participate in Holy Communion. Children may be excused from school. Breakfast will follow.

Great Thursday Evening • April 25

Matins with the Twelve Passion Gospels, 7 PM
We walk with our Lord through the Passion. A procession with the Cross commemorates Christ’s voluntary Crucifixion.

Great Friday • April 26

Royal Hours, 10 AM Church School Retreat, 12 PM
Un-nailing Vespers, 3 PM
We try to spend this day in Church, heeding our Lord’s words to “watch and pray.” At Vespers, Christ is taken down from the Cross and placed in the decorated tomb. Children may be excused from school for the day for services and retreat, including a chat with Father before the afternoon service.

Great Friday Evening • April 26

Resurrectional Matins of Christ’s Funeral, 7 PM
We join Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus and the Myrrh-bearing Women to sing in Praise of the buried Christ, and we process with the Bier and passing under it as if joining Christ in the tomb.

Great Saturday Morning • April 27

Liturgy of St. Basil, 10 AM
As we keep vigil, the Victory of Christ over death and his Resurrection ‘explode’ with throwing of the leaves of victory. Please bring your children to this service. Breakfast will follow.

The Resurrection • Saturday, April 27 / Sunday, April 28

RUSH/MATINS/LITURGY, 11 PM
We receive the new Light and the Good News that “Christ is Risen.” Please bring dyed-red eggs. You may also bring Easter Baskets to be blessed for enjoyment and sharing after Liturgy. Our parish council will also serve additional food to break the Fast.

Agape Vespers • Sunday, April 28

Love Vespers, 3 PM • Egg Hunt • Pitch-in Feast
The Good News (Gospel) of the Resurrection will be proclaimed in as many languages as possible. A sign-up list will be posted during Holy Week for you to read any language you know (we might have the text available, if you don’t).
Bring your family and something to share, and let’s all enjoy food, music and dancing together! We will also have the Egg Hunt for the children.