Holy week is set apart in the Orthodox Ecclesiastical Year so that we might slow down our pace and meditate upon and relive the glory and the agony of that week in our Lord's life which opened once again to all creation the doors of Paradise. The events of that week are presented to us by the church as a drama, which unveiling its mysteries to us, helps us identify with them and elevates to us in the all embracing movement toward our Lord's triumph over sin and death.
To fully benefit from this annual Holy Week drama, to experience a transformation in out lives and spiritual growth, we must participate in the services celebrated daily.
Saturday of Lazaros
This day is the beginning of the end. By raising Lazaros from the dead, Christ proves once again that He is God, the Lord of life. This caused many to believe in Him as the long-awaited Messiah. The negative result, however, is found in Hebrew religious leaders who feared a loss of power and, therefore, plotted to find a way to do away with Jesus.
Palm Sunday
The pious Hebrew people in recognition of Christ's divinity raise palms and proclaim Him King of the Jews. As the believers honor Him, the unbelievers seek more intensely to conspire against Him.
Christ's Entrance into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday may well be called a "Victory March." In ancient times, palms were considered a sign of victory, and in the Troparion for this blessed day, we sing the following: "We like the children of Israel, carry the symbol of victory, and cry out to you the conqueror of death; Hosanna in the highest." Yes, the branches of Palm Sunday symbolizes a victory hoped for and a victory promised.
But on that first Palm Sunday, it was a victory not yet won. To enter Jerusalem, Christ had to pass through the Garden of Gethsemane - the place where He would be betrayed and arrested - and cross the Kidron Valley, which is fittingly referred to as the "Valley of Death." This valley, located right outside the walls of the city, had long served as a burial ground for the Jews. Before His great triumph over death, Christ had to pass through His own "valley of death." He had to suffer and face humiliation and abandonment. Before He could be Conqueror of death, Christ had to die.
May the message of Palm Sunday not be overlooked by us. As we follow the Lord, we, too, will face a certain amount of suffering, rejection, loneliness and yes, even our own death. Still, we must walk with Christ without fear and reservation, for He will lead us through the "valley of death" to everlasting life in the Kingdom of Heaven. The branches we receive today - the symbol of OUR VICTORY as well as Christ's - are a constant reminder of this wonderful truth.
(taken from the Orthodox Weekly Bulletin - Vestal, NJ)
Sunday, Monday & Tuesday
During Holy Week the Orthros Service of the forthcoming day is celebrated the evening before. On Palm Sunday evening we celebrate the Orthros of Monday morning and thus relive the events of Monday.
The evenings of Palm Sunday, Holy Monday, and Holy Tuesday share a common theme.
The unbelievers discuss schemes to find fault in Jesus and a legal way to do away with Him. The scriptural lessons and hymns emphasize the approaching end of Christ's life on earth. Repentance from evil is encouraged, while evil continues to motivate the enemies of God against Him.
Holy Wednesday Evening
The Sacrament of Holy Oil is celebrated for the healing of body and soul. It grants spiritual and physical strength through prayer and the blessing of the Holy Oil.
Understanding the Vespers of Great and Holy Wednesday
The Sacrament of Unction
"Anointing him sick with oil in the name of the Lord....."
Great Holy Wednesday Evening
(The Mystirion of Unction)
The sacred ceremony of the Mysterion of the Holy Unction takes place on this Wednesday evening, following an old custom. It is the evening of repentance, confession and the remission of sins by the Lord, preparing the faithful to receive Holy Communion, usually the next day, Holy Thursday morning. Holy Unction is the Mysterion for cleansing sins and renewing the body and the spirit of the faithful. Holy Unction is one of the seven Sacraments of the Church, and it has its origin in the practice of the early Church as recorded in the Epistle of James (5:14-15). At the end of the service, the priest anoints the people with Holy Oil, the visible carrier of the Grace of God
Holy Thursday Morning
The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil is celebrated in commemoration of the Last Supper, so that all the faithful might be joined to the Mystical Body of Christ. On this day the Reserved Holy Communion is prepared and placed in the Tabernacle on the Altar. This is used for the sick throughout the entire year.
Holy Thursday Evening
We are in Jerusalem to relive the events of our Lord's betrayal and seizure, the trials before the Sanhedrin and Pontius Pilate, the agony of the road to Golgotha, and the crucifixion. The twelve Gospel lessons narrate these events. The Cross is carried around the Church, commemorating the Way of the Cross, and it is placed on the solea to remind us of His Crucifixion. We behold Christ on the Cross and contemplate upon the power that evil has in this life... Vigil follows.
By Fr. Alkiviadis Calivas
Adapted from the "Our Faith" section of www.goarch.org
Understanding the Services of Great and Holy Thursday
"We worship Thy passion, O Christ......"
Great Holy Thursday Evening
(The service of the HOLY PASSION of our Lord Jesus Christ. The service is Matins of Friday morning sung by anticipation Thursday evening.)
Good Friday celebrates the holy, saving and awesome Passion of Christ. To take away our sins, Christ willingly endured the spittings, scourgings, buffetings, scorn, mocking and the purple robe; the reed, sponge, vinegar, nails, spear and, above all, the Cross and Death. The confession from the cross of the penitent thief, crucified with Christ, is celebrated. This service is long, but its content is dramatic and deeply moving for the devout Christian. Participation in the prayers and the historical sequence of the events, as related in the Gospels and hymns, provides a vivid foundation for the great events yet to come. Following are the references of the "Twelve Gospel" readings of this service:
1. St. John 13:31 thru Ch. 18,1
2. St. John 18:1-29
3. St. Matthew 26:57-75
4. St. John 18:28 thru Ch. 19:16
5. St. Matthew 27:3-32
6. St. Mark 15:16-32
7. St. Matthew 27:33-54
8. St. Luke 23:32-49
9. St. John 19:38-42
10. St. Mark 15:43-47
11. St. John 19:38-42
12. St. Matthew 27:62-66
These readings relate the last instructions of Christ to His disciples, the prophecy of the drama of the Cross, the dramatic prayer of Christ and His new commandment. The day should be devoted to reading the "Gospel of the Testament" of Christ which He left for all men. The Church services during Holy Week re-enact the events of this Gospel.
After the reading of the fifth Gospel comes the procession with the Crucifix around the church, while the priest chants the 15th antiphon: "Today is hung upon the Tree, He Who did hang the land in the midst of the waters. A Crown of thorns crowns Him Who is King of Angels. He is wrapped about with the purple of mockery Who wrapped the Heavens with clouds. He received buffetings Who freed Adam in Jordan. He was transfixed with nails Who is the Bridegroom of the Church. He was pierced with a spear Who is the Son of the Virgin. We worship Thy Passion, O Christ. Show also unto us thy glorious Resurrection".
During the Procession, the faithful Christian kneels and prays for his spiritual welfare, imitating the thief on the Cross who confessed his faith and devotion to Christ. He then approaches and reverently kisses the Crucifix
Holy Friday Afternoon
The Unnailing Service or "Apokathilosis" of our Lord is reenacted. The Body of Christ is removed from the Cross on the solea, wrapped in a burial shroud and placed in the sanctuary. The Epitaphios, the cloth on which the Body of our Lord is embroidered is carried in a solemn funeral procession around the church and placed in the Tomb. {Kouvouklion}
By Fr. Alkiviadis Calivas
Adapted from the "Our Faith" section of www.goarch.org
Understanding the Vespers of Great and Holy Friday
"Father forgive them for they know not what they do......."
Good Friday Morning
(The service is Vespers sung on Friday afternoon)
The Vespers of Friday afternoon are a continuation of the Royal Hours. During this service, the removal of the Body of Christ from the Cross is commemorated with a sense of mourning for the terrible events which took place. Once more, excerpts from the Old Testament are read together with hymns, and again the entire story is related, followed by the removal from the Cross and the wrapping of the Body of Christ with a white sheet as did Joseph of Arimathea. Apostle Paul, interpreting the dreadful event, exhorts the Church:"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God . . . we preach Christ crucified . . . the power of God and the wisdom of God", 1 Cor. 1: 18f.
As the priest reads the Gospel, and taking the body, Josephwrapped it in a white cloth", he removes the Body of Christ from the Cross, wraps It in a white cloth and takes It to the altar. The priest then chants a mourning hymn: "When Joseph of Arimathea took Thee, the life of all, down from the Tree dead, he buried Thee with myrrh and fine linen . . . rejoicing. Glory to Thy humiliation, O Master, who clothest Thyself with light as it were with a garment". The priest then carries the cloth on which the Body of Christ is painted or embroidered around the church before placing It inside the Sepulcher, a carved bier which symbolizes the Tomb of Christ. We are reminded that during Christ's entombment He descends into Hades to free the dead of the ages before His Incarnation.
The Gospel readings which relate these events are: Matt. 27:1-38; Lk. 23:29-43; Matt. 27:29-54; Jn. 19:31-37; Matt. 27:55-61. Good Friday is the only day in the year on which the Divine Liturgy is not officiated.
Today the devoted Christian ponders in his heart the deep meaning of the Seven Last Words of Christ uttered on the Cross, the first Divine Pulpit of Christianity.
Holy Friday Evening
The Burial Lamentations are sung before that Tomb of our Lord, which is decorated with flowers. The atmosphere begins to become theologically more joyous, for hymns with a resurrection theme are heard, culminating in the Great Doxology, which is sung only on joyous occasions. The procession of the Tomb around the Church, with the Epitaphios, takes place. This does not represent a funeral procession, but Christ's descent into Hades, where He preached to those held captive and resurrected them. Flowers are distributed as a token of our participation and taken home as a reminder of this event.
By Fr. Alkiviadis Calivas
Adapted from the "Our Faith" section of www.goarch.org
Understanding the Matins of Great and Holy Friday
"Do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves"
Good Friday Evening - The Lamentations
(The service is Matins of Saturday morning sung by anticipation Friday evening.)
It consists of psalms, hymns and readings, dealing with the death of Christ, in contrast to His divinity, and in expectation of His Resurrection. One of the hymns relates: "He who holds all things is raised up on the Cross and all creation laments to see Him hang naked on the Tree". The thoughtful, and well-written Odes,, sung by the choir, compare the Compassion of God and the cruelty of man; the Might of God and the moral weakness of man. The Odes picture all Creation trembling when witnessing its Creator hung by His own creatures: "Creation was moved . . . with intense astonishment when it beheld Thee hung in Golgotha". The Odes remind us of the vision of Isaiah, who saw Christ, "the unwaning light of the manifestation", and cried aloud, "The dead indeed shall arise and all those on earth shall rejoice". During this service the Body of Christ is carried in procession around the church. In some parishes the entire flower-bedecked Sepulcher, symbolizing the Tomb, is carried in the procession.
The entire congregation joins in singing the, three parts of the "Hymns of Praise" (there are approximately 300 hymns, but only a few are sung). After these hymns are sung, the priest sprinkles the Sepulcher and the whole congregation with fragrant water. There is a simultaneous praise of both the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ with their purpose of the redemption of man. We no longer lament the sufferings of the Crucified One; we now lament chiefly for our own sins because we are far from God. So these services should have a rather personal meaning of repentance and of strong faith in God.
Christians observe Good Friday with fasting, prayer, cleanliness, self-examination, confession and good works, in humility and, repentance so that the Grace of the Cross might descend upon them.
The Gospel reading is Matthew 27:62-66.
Holy Saturday Morning
Psalms of Holy Thursday are read and resurrection hymns are chanted. These tell about Christ's descent into Hades where he conquers death and resurrects all those held unjustly. For this reason it is called the "First Resurrection."
By Fr. Alkiviadis Calivas
Adapted from the "Our Faith" section of www.goarch.org
Understanding the Divine Liturgy of Great and Holy Saturday
"The First Resurrection"
"Arise, O God, and judge Thou the earth......."
Great Holy Saturday Morning
(The service is Vespers and Divine Liturgy of Saturday evening sung by anticipation Saturday morning.)
Psalms are read and Resurrection hymns are sung which tell of Christ's descent into Hades. "Today Hades cried out groaning" is the hymn's description of the resurrection of Adam and the conquering of death. Thus this day's celebration is called "First Resurrection". Most of the readings of this day are from the Old Testament on the prophesies and promise of the conquering of death. On this day the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil is officiated. Apostle Paul exhorts the faithful: "We were buried, therefore, with him by baptism unto death, so we, too, might walk in newness of life", Romans 4:6.
After the reading of the Epistle, the priest follows the custom of tossing of laurel, saying: "Arise, O God, and judge Thou the earth: for Thou shall take all heathen to Thine inheritance". The Cherubic hymn of this day is: "Let all mortal flesh keep silence and stand with fear and trembling......", a thoughtful hymn of adoration and exaltation. The Divine Liturgy ends with the Communion Hymn: "So the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and He is risen to save us".
The readings are from Romans 6:3-11 and Matthew 28:1-20.
Holy Saturday Evening
The faithful gather in the Church to participate in the Feast of Feasts, Pascha, the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The Church is dark, reflecting the darkness of the world without Christ. The priest offers the Paschal light of Christ to the world, the light of life. The designated Gospel is read and the Resurrection is proclaimed. The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom is celebrated and our fifty day preparation period concludes in joyful triumph as we proclaim repeatedly... Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!
By Fr. Alkiviadis Calivas
Adapted from the "Our Faith" section of www.goarch.org
Understanding the Matins and Divine Liturgy of the Resurrection
The Holy Sunday of Easter
(The service is Matins and Divine Liturgy of Sunday morning sung Saturday midnight. With this service the Pentecostarion starts. (50 days services) ).
On Easter Sunday (Saturday midnight) the life-giving Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated. Before midnight, the Odes of Lamentation of the previous day are repeated. The Orthros of the Resurrection begins in complete darkness. The priest takes light from the vigil light and gives it to the faithful, who are holding candles. The priest sings: "Come ye and receive light from the unwaning life, and. glorify Christ, who arose from the dead", and all the people join him in singing this hymn again and again. From this moment, every Christian holds the Easter candle as a symbol of his vivid, deep faith in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ as Savior. In many churches the priest leads the people outside the church, where he reads the Gospel which refers to the Angels statement: "He is Risen; He is not here", Mark 16:1-8.
Then comes the breathless moment as the people wait for the priest to start the hymn of Resurrection, which they join him in singing, repeatedly: "Christ has Risen from the dead, by death trampling upon Death, and has bestowed life upon those in the tombs". From this moment the entire service takes on a joyous Easter atmosphere. The hymns of the Odes and Praises of Resurrection which follow are of superb meaning and expression. The people confess, "It is the Day of Resurrection, let us be glorious, let us embrace one another and speak to those that hate us; let us forgive all things and so let us cry, Christ has arisen from the dead". By this hymn they admit that love of one's fellowman is the solid foundation of the faith in the Resurrection of Christ.
The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is then officiated. At the end of the Liturgy, a part of the marvelous festival sermon of St. Chrysostom is read, which calls upon the people to "Take part in this fair and radiant festival. Let no one be fearful of death, for the death of the Savior has set us free . . . O Death, where is thy sting? O Hades, where is Thy victory? Christ is Risen and Thou art overthrown. To Him be glory and power from all ages to all ages".
The readings are Acts 1: 1-8 and John 1: I- 1 7.
