Holy Week Schedule
Fri, May 3 – 9am – 11am: Royal Hours of Great and Holy Friday
“Today the curtain of the temple is torn in two and even the sun hides his rays, Seeing the Master crucified.”
The special 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 9th hours interspersed with Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel reading and verses, all on the theme of the Passion of our Lord. This is considered a very strict fast day and for this day only of all the days of the year there is no celebration of the Divine Liturgy allowed.
(Image: nelsonkootenaylake.com)
– 4:00 pm – 6pm: Vespers with Shroud Veneration
“When You the Redeemer of all were placed in a tomb, All Hades’ powers quaked with fear. Its bars were broken its gates were smashed. Its mighty reign was ended, for the dead came forth alive from their tombs, casting off the bonds of their captivity. Adam was filled with Joy!”
Today we set up and venerate the shroud of Christ. It is appropriate to bring flowers, particularly red and white to decorate the tomb with. Our young Myrrh bearing ladies spread flower petals on the tomb and we sing “Nobel Joseph.” We wait together taking a little refreshment from our fasting before starting Matins.
Myrrh bearing girls (under 14) This occurs at the shroud service Friday at 4:00pm If you want to have your young girls participate, please be a little early at the service so we can arrange for this. They will be going around the tomb sprinkling flower petals on it while we are singing the Noble Joseph at the end of the service. If you could bring some flower petals, roses etc. that would also be helpful.
– 6:30pm – 9pm: Matins with Praises & Shroud Procession
“Do not lament me, O mother, seeing in the tomb, the Son conceived in the womb without seed, for I shall arise, and be glorified with eternal glory as God. I shall exalt all who magnify you in faith and in love.” We gather again before the shroud and sing Psalm 119 with verses in between describing the events of Holy week. Then we take the Shroud of Christ and in procession and circle once around the Church, finishing up with veneration of the shroud and the hymn “We worship Your Passion O Christ! We worship Your Passion O Christ! And Your Holy Resurrection.” As many as can take a 1 hr. shift before the Tomb of Christ and read the Psalms throughout the night until Saturday’s St. Basil Liturgy.
Sat, May 4 – 9am – 1pm: St. Basil Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Holy Saturday, with baptisms!
“Today, Hades cries out groaning; ‘I should not have accepted the Man born of Mary. He came and destroyed my power. He shattered the gates of brass. As God, He raised the souls that I had held captive.’ Glory to Your Cross and Resurrection, O Lord.” Today is the bridge day, the day between the death of Christ on the cross and His glorious resurrection. Christ is not resting; death has no claim over Him. He enters into hades and blows it wide open, freeing those captured there! The new life and restoration of man to God is accomplished! Death is transformed into life! The colours in the Church are changed back to white from Lenten purple as we celebrate Christ’s victory over death! The vigil before the Tomb then continues with all who can taking a turn reading the Acts.
– 10:30pm – midnight: Nocturns, Matins
– Midnight – 1:30am: Festal Divine Liturgy – PASCHA!
– 1:30am: Blessing of Baskets
The light of Christ comes from the Altar to all, and holding our candles we do the triple victorious procession around the church as our shouts ring out, CHRIST IS RISEN!!! and then downstairs to bless baskets and joyously break the fast together! We should make it home by around 2-3 am!
Sun, May 5 – 2:00pm – 2:30pm: Paschal Vespers
Includes the reading of John CH. 20: 19-25 in many languages. So far we have the following languages covered for the Sunday at 2:00pm Vespers reading: French, Spanish, Romanian, Ukrainian, Russian, Chinese (Mandarin) Latin, Welsh, Finnish,…? If you can volunteer another one, please let us know.
– 2:00pm – 5:00pm: Pascal Feast
We continue to celebrate and fellowship and feast on roast lamb and many other fast breaking treats!! Easter egg hunt for the children and much joy and fellowship for all. This may be the best service of the year to invite friends and family to as it is very short (by Orthodox standards) and full of the Paschal joy with “Christ is Risen” ringing out throughout the service and the day! Roast lamb, turkey, Ham, Beef, a festive party well worth sharing!