It is during Holy Week, the church invites us to participate in the events of Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection. We are given this unique opportunity to walk with Christ and one another on this spiritual journey. This week we are invited to do things differently. We have services every day as the powerful story of Christ’s last days unfold. Try to keep the fast and pray each day. Seriously consider turning off the TV all week! Focus on quiet prayer and meditation. Come to Church on Holy Week services each day. It will be a truly meaningful experience as you walk the last few steps on your Lenten journey in anticipation for Holy Pascha.It is during Holy Week, the church invites us to participate in the events of Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection. We are given this unique opportunity to walk with Christ and one another on this spiritual journey. This week we are invited to do things differently. We have services every day as the powerful story of Christ’s last days unfold. Try to keep the fast and pray each day. Seriously consider turning off the TV all week! Focus on quiet prayer and meditation. Come to Church on Holy Week services each day. It will be a truly meaningful experience as you walk the last few steps on your Lenten journey in anticipation for Holy Pascha.

Matthew 22:15-46, 23:1-39
Theme: Watchfulness & Preparation.
The hymnology speaks of the Ten Virgins, reminding us to be ready and prepared for the coming of Christ.  

John2:17-27
Theme: Repentance.
The beautiful hymn of Kassiani is sung while we the faithful turn our attention towards the woman who anointed Jesus with precious myrrh and washed His feet. It is truly time to reflect upon our sinfulness and ask for repentance.  

Theme: Healing, Forgiveness, and Prayer.
This is the day in which we receive the Sacrament of Holy Unction. It is when we call upon the Physician of Our Souls to heal both our physical and spiritual illness.  

Theme: The Holy Passion of Christ and His journey to the Cross.
We listen to the twelve gospel readings in which we experience the entire story of Jesus’ Passion – his suffering and crucifixion. After the fifth Gospel reading, the Procession of the Cross takes place inside the Church while we sing “Today is hung upon the Tree He who suspended the land in the midst of the waters…”  

Theme: The Passion of Jesus.
During this service, our priest will remove the body of Christ from the Cross and carry this Holy icon into the sanctuary. Then the cloth which has Christ’s body embroidered on it is carried around the Church while the faithful kneed in prayer. It is then that the body is set in the Epitaphios tomb which is decorated with beautiful flowers.  

Theme: The Burial of Christ.
The lamentations tell of the death of Christ but with the assurance and joy of His coming Resurrection. The faithful follow in a procession of the Epitaphios around the Church singing “Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal have mercy upon us.”  

Romans 6:3-11, Matthew 28, 1-20
Theme: The Descent of Christ into Hades.
Services today focus on the three women who visit the tomb of Christ to find that He is Risen. Bay leaves are scattered around the Church as a symbol of Christ’s victory over death.  

Theme: Resurrection!!
At midnight the Orthros of the Resurrection service begins in complete darkness. The priest comes forward and offers the LIGHT to CHRIST! “Come receive the Light from the unwaning Light.” Everyone joins together as the light is passed to each person in the Church. We celebrate Christ’s glorious resurrection and throughout the Divine Liturgy we sing the glorious Resurrection Hymn, “Christ is Risen!” “Christos Anesti!”  

John 20:19-25
The Gospel reading is in several languages to show the “Good News” of the Resurrection spreading throughout the world. The Agape Service is dedicated to love and forgiveness. For forty days we celebrate by singing the Resurrection Hymn, “Christ is risen from the dead, by death He has trampled down death and bestowed life to those in the tombs!”