The Services of Holy Week

Since the early days of the Church, there has been a cycle of services celebrated during Holy Week and Pascha. Evidence of this go all the way back to Egeria, a female pilgrim from the West who experienced Orthodox Holy Week and Pascha in 383 AD in Jerusalem. These exact same services are still conducted today by the Orthodox Church. I thought it would be valuable to briefly outline the services of Holy Week for your use. Many of the services are anticipated or served the day before. Lazarus Saturday: The Gospels clearly relates how six days before Christ's own death, he raised his friend Lazarus from the dead. (John 11:42) We see the humanity and divinity of Christ combined as well as the foreshadowing of his own death. Entrance into Jerusalem: The end of the Great Fast and entry into Holy Week as Christ triumphantly enters into Jerusalem. The tradition is for a procession of palms lead by the children as the tropar for the feast states. So begins our journey into Holy Week. Bridegroom Matins: Known in the Church as "The End", the imagery here is about the Last Judgment. It relates the deep anguish of Christ as He prepares for His Passion. The services tell us to watch for we do not know when God will come. These services are a triumph of the eschatological imagery in the Church. Matins of Holy Thursday with Holy Unction: This service relates the event when the harlot anoints Christ and is forgiven. On this day we customarily anoint the people with Holy Oil as a sin of healing and remission of sins. Vesperal Liturgy of Holy Thursday: This solemn Liturgy commemorates the Last Supper. The darkness of the week is broken slightly because of the importance of the Eucharistic event. Traditionally the priest prepares the reserve sacrament for the year. The Passion of Christ is now close. Matins of Holy Friday: The service commonly known as "The Twelve Gospels" as the Church remembers the betrayal and crucifixion of Christ by reading the twelve Gospel accounts. A climatic point of Holy Week emphasizing the reality of actions. Vespers of Holy Friday: Remembering the crucifixion and death of Christ. There is a solemn procession as the burial shroud (plashtschanitza or epitaphios) is brought out to the people. Christ is laid in the tomb and our vigil of the Resurrection begins. Matins of Holy Saturday: Known as "The Lamentations", the service begins the Sabbath as Christ lays in rest in the tomb. Often seen as a funeral service for Christ, in fact it is a commemoration of the law and love of God towards His people. Vesperal Liturgy of Holy Saturday: The death of Christ is linked with the creative acts of God. It is here that Christ descends into Hell and breaks the doors. The service inaugurates the paschal celebration as the service is bright and uplifting. The tomb is revealed as a place of life. The Services of the Great and Holy Pascha: The Joy of Joys, Holiday of Holidays, celebrating Christ's Resurrection. The service begins with nocturne anticipating the Resurrection. The procession follows at midnight announcing the Resurrection to the world. We then celebrate the Paschal matins followed by the Divine Liturgy, the first of the new day. The most joyous event of the year. Paschal Vespers: The Great and Joyous Vespers celebrating the Pascha of our Lord. There is a procession for the children and the parish celebrates the Resurrection with a feast and events for the children.

Bright Week - Traditionally Divine Liturgy each day: Celebrating the Resurrection with a Paschal Liturgy each day until Thomas Sunday. Includes a procession and reading of the Resurrectional accounts.