SUNDAY, 15/28 APRIL: THE ENTRANCE OF THE LORD INTO JERUSALEM; [ Palm/Willow Sunday;] Apostles of the Seventy – Aristarchus, Pudens and Trophimus (+c67); Martyrs Basilissa and Anastasia in Rome (+c68); Martyrs Sukia and his companions Andrew, Anastasius, Thalaleus, Theodoretus, Ivchirion, Jordan, Quadratus, Lucian, Mimnaeus, Nerangius, Polyeuctus, James, Pjocas, Domentianus, Victor, Zosimus (+beginning 2nd C); Martyr Sabbas the Goth (+372); Hieromartyr Alexander Gnevushev, presbyter (+1930):
9:30AM- Blessing of Willows, Hours,
Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom
Epistle: Phil.4,4-9 Gospel: Jn.12,1-18
[ In the dining hall fish is allowed.]
PASSION WEEK
Thursday, 19 April/2 May: GREAT THURSDAY; Commemoration of the Mystic Supper
9:00AM- Vespers with Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great
At Vespers: (Triodion) Exodus 19,10-19 Job 38,1-23;42,1-5 Isaiah 50,4-11
At Liturgy: Epistle: 1Cor.11,23-32
Gospel: Mt.26,1-20;Jn.13,3-17;Mt.26,21-39;Lk.22,43-45;Mt.26,40;-27.2
[On Great Thursday the priest prepares the Reserved Sacrament of Holy Communion which is kept in the artophorion/tabernacle on the Holy Altar. This Reserved Sacrament, the Body and Blood of Christ, is administered to the sick and infirm who are unable to come to church for Holy Communion.]
Friday, 20 April/3 May: GREAT FRIDAY; Commemoration of the Holy and Redeeming Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Strict Fast:
6:00PM- (Thursday evening) Matins for Grear Friday;
The Twelve Gospels of the Passion of our
Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
3:00PM- Great Vespers with the Solemn
Bringing-out of the Plashchanitza
Saturday, 21 April/4 May: GREAT SATURDAY;
6:00PM- (Friday evening) Matins for Great Saturdayl Lamentations at the Tomb
of Christ; Cross-Procession with Plashchanitza
9:00AM- Vespers with Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great
At Vespers: Old Testament Readings
at Liturgy: Epistle: Rom.6,3-11 Gospel: Mt.28,1-20
[After Vespers, during the chanting of “Arise, O God…” the vestments of the clergy and coverings in the Temple are changed from dark to light colour, signifying the brightness of the Lord’s Resurrection. The Holy Gospel is proclaimed in front of the Plashchanitza announcing the
RESURRECTION OF CHRIST!]
AS MANY AS HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST; HAVE PUT ON CHRIST! ALLELUIA!
6:00PM- (In Parish Hall/Center) Blessing of Paschal Foods (Baskets)
11:00PM- Nocturns (Polunoshnitza) for the Resurrection of Christ
[ Deposition of the Plashchanitza upon the Holy Altar where it remains until Ascension Day ]
THE HOLY PASCHA ! THE BRIGHT RESURRECTION OF CHRIST !
SUNDAY, 22 APRIL/5 MAY:
Midnight- CROSS-PROCESSION; BRIGHT MATINS OF PASCHA
CHRIST IS RISEN! INDEED, HE IS RISEN!
9:40AM- PASCHAL HOURS
BRIGHT PASCHAL DIVINE LITURGY OF SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
Epistle: Acts 1,1-8 Gospel: Jn 1,1-17
Paschal Cross-Procession with Proclomation of Resurrection Gospel and
Aspersion with Holy Water;
Blessing of Paschal Artos; Blessing of Paschal Eggs
[ This procession recalls for us the coming of the Myrrh-bearing Women to the Tomb of Christ where they heard the Good News of Christ/s Resurrection. It brings to mind the Preaching of the Gospel to the Four Corners of the world and the Baptizing of Believers “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”.]
