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The Journey to
HOLY PASCHA
* Click on the images to enlarge* |
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Liturgy |
The Celebration
of Our Lord's Entry into Jerusalem - Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is the celebration of the triumphant entrance of Christ
into the royal city of Jerusalem. He rode on a colt for which He Himself had
sent, and He permitted the people to hail Him publicly as a king. A large
crowd met Him in a manner befitting royalty, waving palm branches and
placing their garments in His path. They greeted Him with these words:
"Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of
Israel! (John 12:13).
(left image) Josef Gulka directs the children's choir
in singing on Palm Sunday
"Like the children with the palms of victory, we cry out to You, O
Vanquisher of death: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He that comes in the
name of the Lord! " |
Monday & Tuesday
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7:00 PM |
Bridegroom Matins
Monday: the story of the fig
tree, the symbol of the world created to bear spiritual fruits and failing
in its response to God.
Tuesday: Condemnation of Pharisees, i.e. of the blind and hypocritical
religion, of those who think they are the leaders of man and the light of
the world, but who in fact "shut up the Kingdom of heaven to men."
(left image) Fr. John reads
the opening prayers |
Wednesday
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7:00 PM |
Bridegroom Matins
with Service of Holy Unction
( Annointing) - Wednesday the focus is on the
fallen woman who repents. Great emphasis is made
in the liturgical services to compare the woman, a sinful harlot who is
saved, to Judas, a chosen apostle who is lost. The one gives her wealth to
Christ and kisses his feet; the other betrays Christ for money with a kiss.
(left
image) Fr. John performs annointing service
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Thursday |
4:00 PM |
Vesperal Divine Liturgy for Holy
Thursday, commemorating the institution of the Eucharist |
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7:00 PM |
Matins for Great and Holy Friday, with the
reading of the Passion Gospels
(left image) Christ Crucified
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Holy Friday
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3:00 PM |
Vespers for Great and Holy Friday
(above image) Detail of the burial shroud (epitaphion)
(left
image) The tomb where Christ Lay |
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7:00 PM |
Matins for Great and Holy Saturday, with Lamentations and Procession
(left,
top image) Fr. John walks beneath the shroud during singing of Noble Joseph
(Above, left image) The procession begins re-creating the transfer of
Christ's body to the tomb of Joseph of Arimethea
(above middle and right images) Procession continues around the church
( left, bottom image) The Good Friday vigil with reading of psalms continues
through the night until Divine Liturgy of Holy Saturday |
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Holy Saturday & Pascha (Easter) |
10:00 AM |
Divine Liturgy for Great and Holy Saturday |
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11:30 PM |
Nocturns, Matins and Divine Liturgy
for the Great and Holy Pascha (Orthodox Easter)
Blessing of the Paschal Foods (Easter
baskets) following the
Divine Liturgy
(Left) Father John Proclaims the Risen Christ, Christ
is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti! - Greek
Christos Voskrese! Voistinu Voskrese! - Slavonic
Al masi h qam! Hakan qam! - Arabic
Helisituosi fuhuole! Queshi fuhuole! - Chinese
Kristos haryav ee merelotz!
Orhnial eh harootyunuh kristosee! - Armenian
(phonetic spellings) |
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Sunday |
1:00 PM |
Vespers of Pascha
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Monday |
9:00 AM |
Divine Liturgy for Bright Monday |
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