Journey to Christ’s Resurrection
The most important season in the Eastern Orthodox Church - the Journey to Pascha (Easter) - commences with the 40-day period of Great Lent. The goal of Great Lent is to strengthen the soul so that the spiritual renewal that is possible during the Pascha season continues long after the journey is over. The hope is for a spiritual awakening in each of us, something that doesn’t necessarily need to be profound, but small and sustained. Each Sunday of Great Lent has a specific theme. Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, offered on Wednesdays and Fridays, affords an opportunity to receive Holy Communion often, strengthening us for the journey. Lent concludes with the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy on Friday of the 6th week.
From the joy of Lazarus Saturday to the radiant celebration of Pascha, Holy Week invites us into the heart of our faith. Each service draws us deeper into Christ’s path – His entry into Jerusalem, His teachings, His sacrifice on the Cross, and ultimately His glorious Resurrection.
Through prayer, worship, and cherished traditions, we walk this sacred journey together as a community – preparing our hearts to receive the light of the Resurrection and proclaim with joy: Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen! (In Greek: Χριστὸς ἀνέστη! Ἀληθῶς ἀνέστη!)
Saturday of Lazarus
On Lazarus Saturday, the Saturday before Palm Sunday, we celebrate the rising of Lazarus from the dead after four days, a precursor to the Resurrection of Christ yet to come. This marks the end of the 40-day fast, providing a bridge to the intense period of Holy Week.
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday morning service commemorates Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, marking the beginning of Holy Week. Palm crosses are given out at the end of this service.
Palm Sunday Evening – Bridegroom Service
Holy Week begins, calling us to watchfulness and repentance. We sing the Hymn of the Bridegroom from the Parable of the Ten Virgins that warns us to be prepared for Christ’s coming. Themes: betrayal of Christ; Joseph, whose betrayal by his brothers prefigures Christ’s (Joseph was betrayed by his own, thrown into a pit (prison), yet saved his people); and the barren fig tree (unfruitfulness).
Holy Monday
Holy Monday’s service focuses on readiness for Christ’s coming, reminding us of the need for watchfulness and preparation lest we be unprepared when we are called before the awesome judgment seat of Christ. The Parable of the Ten Virgins reminds us to keep our lamps full through faith and good works.
Holy Tuesday
Centered on repentance and love, the service reminds us of the sinful woman who anointed Christ in anticipation of His death, showing that sincere repentance brings forgiveness. The special Hymn of Kassiani is sung by our choir.
A service of healing and forgiveness, we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Unction. We confess our sins and seek to be reconciled with God. The priest anoints us with Holy Oil that we may be healed physically and spiritually. Through anointing with oil, we seek spiritual and physical healing and reconciliation with God.
Holy Thursday Morning – Mystical Supper
We enter the upper room and witness the moment when Christ abolishes the practice of the Old Covenant and establishes the ritual of the New Covenant, the Sacrament of Holy Communion. We celebrate the Mystical Supper with the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil. At this solemn service, we celebrate the meaning of what Christ said and did at the Mystical Supper.
Holy Thursday Evening – 12 Gospels
Recounts Christ’s Passion, suffering, and crucifixion. The 12 Gospel readings relate the events of Jesus’ Holy Passion, and His last instructions to the Disciples. The Twelve Gospel readings witness for us the betrayal and arrest of Jesus, His trial and conviction, and finally His torture, Crucifixion, and death. This service also includes a procession that reenacts Christ carrying His own cross. After this procession, the congregation is invited to come and light candles at the foot of the cross. We follow Him to the cross in solemn reflection.
Holy Friday Morning – Royal Hours
A solemn remembrance of Christ’s suffering on the Cross, marked by Psalms, readings, and prayer. This is a day of mourning, fasting, and prayer. We read the first, third, sixth, and ninth Great Hours with the remembrance of the time Jesus suffered on the Cross. Following this service, the congregation is invited to join in the decoration of the Epitaphion with flowers.
Holy Friday Afternoon – Taking Down from the Cross
In this vesper service we are witnesses to the undeserved suffering of Christ, to His terrible passion and death. We remember through a loving liturgical procession the faithfulness and love of Joseph of Arimathea who tenderly removed Christ’s body from the cross, wrapped it in clean linen, and carried it to his own unused tomb for burial.
Holy Friday Evening – Lamentations
We lament Jesus’ undeserved death for our salvation. With both sorrow and joy, we sing the Lamentations (Praises) to Him who is symbolically buried, yet who we already know is the Risen Lord and Giver of Life. At this service, the Epitaphion is taken in a candlelight procession by the entire congregation around the church. The flowers are distributed to the congregation after the service.
Holy Saturday Morning – Divine Liturgy
A day of strict fasting but one of hope and expectation. The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil anticipates the Resurrection. This day celebrates Christ’s descent into Hades where he preached the Good News to all mankind from Adam and Eve on. The joy and the Good News are commemorated through the scattering of rose petals by the priest at a particular time in the Divine Liturgy. After this service the eggs are dyed in the kitchen for the Pascha service.
Holy Saturday Evening – Pascha Vigil, 11 PM
A Vigil for the coming of Pascha at midnight.
Pascha Midnight – Resurrection Service 12 AM
In a darkened church, the faithful receive the Resurrection light from the priest and form a procession out of the church. The congregation hears the good news of Christ’s triumph from the Gospel. The joyous hymn of Christ’s Resurrection is triumphantly chanted – “Christ is Risen – Christos Anesti”!
We celebrate the Holy Resurrection Service and the Divine Liturgy. At the end of the service, parishioners receive an egg dyed red. The red color symbolizes the blood shed by Christ for mankind, and the egg symbolizes the new life of the Resurrection.
Pascha Morning – Agape Vespers
A service of joy, unity, and forgiveness. The Gospel is read in many languages, showing the Good News is for all. Following the service is a Pascha Picnic of a traditional Greek Easter lunch.
