Brothers & Sisters,
Christ is in our midst!
We are at the footsteps of Holy Week – our opportunity to suffer, to be buried, and to rise with our Savior, Jesus Christ! Holy week is one of the busiest times of the Liturgical year. With that in mind, I have attempted to compile all the activities happening in the church in this newsletter. Liturgical services are in black font and Non-Liturgical happenings are in blue font.
As Father Mark has already announced, the capacity constraints in the Church temple are lifted starting on Palm Sunday. And because of this, masks will be mandatory for all services. On weekends, we will have a TV set up outside for those who are not comfortable entering the temple for whatever reason.
Join us live for all services at this link or on Facebook:
https://zoom.us/j/6683059084?pwd=azNnT3hlUDRUR3Y4K1liTFhpaUZmUT09
LAZARUS SATURDAY
Friday, April 23rd @ 6:00 PM – Little Compline with the Canon of Saint Lazarus
Saturday, April 24th @ 9:00 AM – Daily Orthros, Liturgy of Saint Lazarus and baptisms/chrismations of Michael, Sandi, Joseph, and Laura.
Please sign up to attend this weekend’s service here! Keep in mind that the relaxation of the capacity limits BEGINS on PALM SUNDAY.
PALM SUNDAY
Saturday, April 24th @ 5:00 PM – Festal Great Vespers for Palm Sunday
Sunday, April 25th @ 9:00 AM – Festal Orthros and the Divine Liturgy with blessing of Palms.
Followed by Palm Sunday Fish Fry – bring $10 to cover fish and a side share. We need one more person to help with the frying. PLEASE Contact Susanna Howder. Kids will also be making crosses from the palm fronds given to them in Liturgy.
HOLY WEEK
Holy Week services are sung in anticipation. Because of our anticipation and excitement, each service is rotated ahead twelve hours! Orthros, the TYPICAL morning service is sung the evening before. And, Vespers, the TYPICAL evening service is sung the morning of the day of commemoration. For example, the Bridegroom Orthros of Holy Monday is celebrated not in the Morning but in the evening on Sunday.
Sun, Apr 25th @ 6:00 PM – Bridegroom Orthros of Holy Monday (Procession of the Bridegroom Icon)
The three main themes of this service are: First, the parable of the Ten Virgins. Second, preparation for the 2nd coming of Christ by bringing forth the fruit of repentance which is conveyed in very certain terms through the Gospel theme of the cursing of the fig tree. Finally, the patriarch Joseph as a type and prefiguring of Jesus Christs’ betrayal, suffering, death, and resurrection.
Mon, Apr 26th @ 6:00 PM – Bridegroom Orthros of Holy Tuesday
The themes of Great Tuesday are: Again, the Parable of the Ten Virgins as well as the Parable of the Talents. The Gospel reading includes our Lord’s fearful litany of woes upon the scribes and the Pharisees.
Tue, Apr 27th @ 6:00 PM – Bridegroom Orthros of Holy Wednesday (The Hymn of Saint Kassiani)
The focus of Holy Wednesday is on the repentant woman who pours alabaster oil on Jesus’ head. Great emphasis is made in the liturgical services to compare the woman, a sinful harlot who is saved, to Judas, a chosen apostle who is lost. The one gives her wealth to Christ and kisses his feet; the other betrays Christ for money with a kiss.
Wed, Apr 28th @ 6:00 PM – Holy Unction
Having commemorated Christ’s anointing by the repent woman in preparation for his death and burial, it is fitting that we too should be anointed, and so, on this day, we have the Sacrament of Holy Unction.
Thu, Apr 29th @ 9:00 AM – Vesperal Divine Liturgy of the Mystical Supper with the Washing of Feet
On Thursday morning we commemorate the Mystical supper; that is, the first Eucharist. The narrative of the appointed Gospel reading includes our Lord washing the Feet of His disciples, the betrayal by Judas, and the arrest of Jesus – but the CENTRAL theme is our Lord’s Last Supper. Traditionally, a last meal is taken before the beginning of Orthros and we continue to fast with Christ until AFTER the Vesperal Divine Liturgy on Saturday morning when we partake of some dried fruit, nuts, and wine. Please consult your spiritual father on fasting!
Thu, Apr 29th @ 6:00 PM – Bridegroom Orthros for Holy Friday (the reading of 12 Passion Gospels & procession of the Holy Cross)
During this service we hear twelve lengthy Gospel readings which are the accounts of our Lord’s arrest, trial, humiliation, suffering, and execution.
Fri, Apr 30th @ 9:00 AM – Royal Hours
The Royal Hours is a service filled with biblical readings concerning the prophecies of our Lord’s Passion and Resurrection and their fulfillment in the New Testament.
Fri, Apr 30th @ 3:00 PM – Great Vespers of Holy Friday (The taking down from the Cross and the Entombment in the Bier)
This service commemorates when Joseph of Arimathea receives the body of Jesus – when Jesus is taken down from the Cross, wrapped in Linen, and placed in the tomb.
Fri, Apr 30th @~4:00 PM – For kids: Dyeing Paschal Eggs, creating a fun craft, and storytime! If anyone was planning on donating eggs to this, could they bring by Weds. Apr 28th?
Fri, Apr 30th @~4:00 PM – For adults: Patristic reading with Deacon Matthew downstairs: “Homily on the Burial of the Divine Body of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on Joseph of Arimathea, and on the Lord’s Descent Into Hades Which, After his Saving Passion, Wondrously ensued on the Holy and Great Saturday” by Saint EPIPHANIUS BISHOP OF CYPRUS
Fri, Apr 30th @ 7:00 PM –Orthros of Holy Saturday (The Lamentations Service)
The Orthros of Great and Holy Saturday can be considered a funeral service for Christ. We lament the death of Christ with the Theotokos as we chant the Lamentations services. Our joyful sorrow is shared with the outside world when we go out into the streets with the procession of the Bier holding the Epitaphios (an icon of the entombed Christ). When we come back into the Church Temple, the Bier stops at the entrance of the Church and each person goes under the tomb as they enter back into the church – symbolically entering into the grave with Christ. It is a tradition to wear dark clothes for this service!
Fri, Apr 30th starting @ 9:30 PM – All-Night Vigil @ the Tomb of Christ with the reading of the Psalter. Sign up Here!
An ancient tradition in the Orthodox Church is the Vigil at the Tomb of Christ. After our Lord died on the Cross, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea took the body of Jesus, bound it in linen cloths with spices, and buried it in a new tomb. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sat opposite the tomb watching as their Lord was buried. The Church over the centuries has joined with these two women in keeping watch over Jesus’ tomb. The Holy Friday Vigil at Christ’s tomb is our opportunity to help keep watch over our Lord’s body as He descends into Hades to loosen the bonds of death. Several of the Youth have already signed up to keep vigil – if you are interested contact Laura Walters.
GREAT & HOLY PASCHA
CHRIST IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD TRAMPLING DOWN DEATH BY DEATH AND TO THOSE IN THE TOMB BESTOWING LIFE!
Sat, May 1st @ 9:00 AM – Vesperal Divine Liturgy (Commemorating Christ’s Victory over Death)
TODAY joy overwhelms sorrows. We celebrate the harrowing of hades, the vanquishing of death, and our Lord’s Resurrection from the tomb. It is a tradition to wear white clothes for this service!
Sat, May 1st starting @ 3:00 PM – Reading of the Acts of the Holy Apostles. Sign-up Here!
As we wait for Christ’s Resurrection, we read of what became of His Apostles in the Book of Acts-the same Apostles who hid themselves in fear following Christ’s Passion. It’s the perfect complement to all we’ve heard during Holy week. It describes Christ’s ascent into Heaven. It tells us what became of Judas the betrayer. It reminds us of the power of God through Jesus Christ, and it inspires us to go out and preach Christ crucified, ‘foolishness to the Greeks and a stumbling block to the Jews'.
Sat, May 1st @ 10:30 PM – Nocturne & Rush Hours followed by Paschal Orthros
Sun, May 2nd @ ~Midnight – PASCHAL DIVINE LITURGY
Followed by Midnight Egg Hunt for kids ages 12+. No meal following the Paschal Service.
Sun, May 2nd @ 3:00 PM – PASCHAL Agape Vespers
During this service, we read the Gospel lesson in as many languages as folks know. Reply to this email if you are interested in reading the Gospel in a different language.
Followed by Paschal Agape Meal Potluck BBQ. Bring a meat to grill and a side to share! Bring CHAIRS! And your musical instruments to join the jam! The Pascha Afternoon Egg Hunt for kids younger than 11 will take place during this time as well. We need a couple of more volunteers to help hide eggs – PLEASE contact Susanna Howder if you can help!
Mon, May 3rd @ 4:00 PM – Bright Monday Pan-Orthodox Picnic @ Settlers Park, Shelter #1
Join us as we continue celebrating the feast of Pascha with the other Orthodox parishes in Boise! Bring a dish to share, a musical instrument, kite, and other games to enjoy the blessedness of the Feast! There will be a grill available if you want to bring something to BBQ.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Asking your prayers,
Deacon Matthew