Holy Saturday, March 30
8:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy
4:00 p.m. Blessing of Easter Foods
6:00 p.m. Blessing of Easter Foods
The church is open for private prayer before the Tomb of Christ.
Easter Sunday, March 31, Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ
9:15 a.m. Procession and Paschal Matins
10:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy (bi-lingual): Liturgy for the people of the parish
Blessing of Artos and Anointing-Myrovann
Blessing of Ester Foods
Metropolitan Sviatoslav and Metropolitan Epiphany met to exchange with each other Christmas greetings and to discuss matters of ecclesial life of mutual importance. The Church leaders paid special attention to the agreement on the reform of the church liturgical calendar, which is increasingly critical before Christmas and Easter holy days. After the discussion, it was proposed to create a joint working group that will take a comprehensive study of the issue. This working group would have to draw up specific proposals for the Presidents and Synods of both Churches in the context of preparations to mark the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Cathedral, held at Nicea in AD 325.
Pray for the work on the liturgical calendar and the move toward a common date of Christmas and Easter.
The following reflection is written by Deacon Nicholas Denysenko, PhD. Deacon Nicholas is a professor of theology and holder of the Jochum Chair at Valparaiso University (IN). He is a greater thinker and preacher. Here is a key for our reflection at Easter (Pascha).
Of all the religious observances that belong to the people, Orthodox Easter is among the greatest. People spend hours on their feet, kneading, baking, preparing foods, both savory and sweet. They perfect their grooming, wearing their finest clothes for the occasion.
For many, Orthodox Easter is pure joy. Laughing, sharing stories, playing games, and hanging out with your loved ones. Breathing the fresh air together, lighting candles, and singing. It is joy for one simple reason: God has made all things well. God has opened the doors to us and said, come home. God has set a table with the finest foods, has appointed musicians to play the loveliest music.
There is no end time to the party. It’s like being separated from your beloved family for a long time. You don’t want to let go when you hug them.
God embraces us tightly because we are home. God has given us the most precious gift – amnesty, freedom from our alienation from him. Jesus destroyed Hades and the cherubim withdrew the sword separating us from paradise. There is NO better news. We will be with God forever.
How do you prepare for the most joyful event?
You dress your best. You sing, You laugh. You make your favorite foods. That’s Pascha.
This gift of amnesty to alienated humanity is God’s alone to give. God reaches out and says, “you are my people.” Everyone who accepts that invitation is free. They’re subordinate to no one, no government, no ruler. They’re free.
Vladimir Putin’s narcissism and hatred for Ukrainians is well known. He is trying to subordinate them through fear, to make them HIS own. Sadly, some bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church are supporting him in this blasphemous act. Thankfully, there are always some in the world who stand up to bullies instead of paying their tax.
Saturday, 4/16, Holy and Great Saturday
9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy
4:00 p.m. Blessing of Easter Foods
6:00 p.m. Blessing of Easter Foods
7:00 p.m. Prayers at the Tomb
Sunday, 4/17, Holy and Great Resurrection of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
9:00 a.m. Procession and Paschal (Easter) Matins —Blessing of Arts (bread)
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish —Anointing
Blessing of Easter Foods following the Divine Liturgy in the church hall.
At the Resurrection Matins, there is a procession where the people walk around the church. This procession recalls the way the women went to the tomb. The people stop in front of the Church doors and listen to the priest announce “Christ is Risen!”
The church bells ring, and the priest and people sing, “Christ is Risen!”
The doors are opened, and the church is filled with light.
The Holy Shroud is on the Altar as a sign that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. The people walk into the church singing, “Christ is Risen!”
There are many changes in the church. The doors on the Icon Screen are open. They will remain open from Pascha until after Divine Liturgy on Bright Saturday. This is to remind us that He opened the gates of Heaven and granted us eternal life.
The priest blesses a special bread called the Artos. The Artos is Christ – the Bread of Life.
It will remain in the church all of Bright Week. It will be distributed on Thomas Sunday.
People greet each other with – “Christ is Risen!” And respond with – “Indeed He is Risen!”
