Divine Liturgy - 9:00 a.m. - Palm Sunday - By raising Lazarus from the dead before Thy Passion, Thou didst confirm the universal resurrection, O Christ God!  Like the children with the palms of victory, we cry out to Thee:  O Vanquisher of Death:  Hosanna in the highest!  Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord!    (Troparion)  

Great Monday – On His way to Jerusalem Christ cursed the fruitless fig tree, and it withered immediately. So it may be with us if we continue sinning and remain without the fruits of virtuous life. The theme of today is the unexpected coming of the Lord: “Behold the Bridegroom comes at midnight, and blessed is the servant whom He shall find watching…….”

Great Tuesday – Christ taught for the last time at the Jerusalem Temple. He spoke mainly in parables; answered questions of His enemies; pronounced woe on the Scribes and Pharisees; and foretold the destruction of Jerusalem for the sinfulness of its people. The lesson for Tuesday is from St. Matthew and speaks about the need for watchfulness, the parable about the 5 foolish and the 5 wise virgins. (Matt 25:1-13)

Holy Wednesday – Sacrament of Holy Unction for Orthodox Christians – Christ foretells His betrayal by Apostle Judas for 30 silver pieces. (Luke 22:1-6) Our Lord stays quietly again at Bethany, while his enemies, the Jewish leaders plot to arrest and kill Him. (Matt. 26:3-5)

Great Thursday – Christ washes His disciples’ feet. By this example teaching them humility and brotherly love. After that, He had His last, the Mystic, Supper with His disciples, at which He institutes the Sacrament of Eucharistical Communion (Matt. 26: 17-30), for the remission of their and our sins. (Luke 22-14:19; Matt. 26: 26-28; Mark 14:22-24). During the Mystic Supper, Christ comforts His disciples, promising to send to their assistance the Holy Ghost. Immediately following the Mystic Supper, Christ and His disciples went out into Gethsemane Garden where He prayed. On Great Thursday evening, the service at church tells of Christ’s betrayal, His Passion and death upon the Cross in the reading of the 12 Passion Gospel.

Great Thursday – Christ washes His disciples’ feet. By this example teaching them humility and brotherly love. After that, He had His last, the Mystic, Supper with His disciples, at which He institutes the Sacrament of Eucharistical Communion (Matt. 26: 17-30), for the remission of their and our sins. (Luke 22-14:19; Matt. 26: 26-28; Mark 14:22-24). During the Mystic Supper, Christ comforts His disciples, promising to send to their assistance the Holy Ghost. Immediately following the Mystic Supper, Christ and His disciples went out into Gethsemane Garden where He prayed. On Great Thursday evening, the service at church tells of Christ’s betrayal, His Passion and death upon the Cross in the reading of the 12 Passion Gospel.

Great Good Friday – At 6:00 a.m. on this day, Christ was brought before Pilate, the Roman Ruler of Judea, and examined. He was sent from Pilate to Herod the King where he was mocked, scourged, attired in a purple robe and crown of thorns and beaten and was sent back to Pilate. Here, Barabbas, the robber, was set free and Christ was adjudged to death. After all these cruel mistreatments, Christ was led to crucifixion bearing the heavy cross. At 9:00 a.m. Christ was crucified between two thieves. At noon the sun darkened and the Temple veil was rent in two from top to bottom and the earth quaked. At 3:00 p.m. after suffering upon the Cross for 6 hours, Christ died.

Great Saturday – A guard of soldiers was stationed at the tomb of Christ; the Lord’s Body was in the tomb; His soul was with the saintly departed, who received their freedom and heavenly rest. “Thou hast come down to earth to save Adam, and having not found him on earth, Thou hast descended, searching him, even into Hades….”

Great Saturday – A guard of soldiers was stationed at the tomb of Christ; the Lord’s Body was in the tomb; His soul was with the saintly departed, who received their freedom and heavenly rest. “Thou hast come down to earth to save Adam, and having not found him on earth, Thou hast descended, searching him, even into Hades….”

Great Saturday – A guard of soldiers was stationed at the tomb of Christ; the Lord’s Body was in the tomb; His soul was with the saintly departed, who received their freedom and heavenly rest. “Thou hast come down to earth to save Adam, and having not found him on earth, Thou hast descended, searching him, even into Hades….”

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! “Alleluia! Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered; let those who hate Him flee from before His face….Alleluia! As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish as wax melts before the fire.”

GREAT AND HOLY PASCHA - CHRIST IS RISEN! INDEED HE IS RISEN! “Alleluia! Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered; let those who hate Him flee from before His face….Alleluia! As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish as wax melts before the fire.”

Blessing of Baskets - Social Following Divine Liturgy - Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! “Alleluia! Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered; let those who hate Him flee from before His face….Alleluia! As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish as wax melts before the fire.”

Bright Monday - God be bountiful to us and bless us! Show the light of Thy countenance upon us and have mercy on us! That we may know Thy way upon the earth, and Thy salvation among all nations! Let the people give thanks to Thee God! Let all the people give thanks to Thee! Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. (The Second Antiphon – Pascha)

Bright Tuesday - “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

Bright Wednesday - Our Lord’s final commandment given on earth – And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)

Great Vespers for Sunday Divine Liturgy - Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

Divine Liturgy - St. Thomas Sunday - "Thomas touched Thy lifegiving side with  an eager hand, OChrist God, when Thou didst come to Thy apostles through closed doors.  He cried out with all:  Thou art my Lord and my God!"   (Kontakion)

Enlightener Deadline - Please give Barbara articles by this date.

Great Vespers for Sunday Divine Liturgy - The third Sunday after Pascha is dedicated to the myrrhbearing women who cared for the body of the Savior at His death and who were the first witnesses of His Resurrection. 

Divine Liturgy- Sunday of the Myrrhbearers (St. George Commemorated Today) - "The angel came to the myrrhbearing women at the tomb and said:  Myrrh is meet for the dead; but Christ has shown Himself a stranger to corruption!  So proclaim:  The Lord is risen, granting the world great mercy."    (Troparion)

St.George (Commemorated on Sunday April 22)     "O God,in You I hope; may  I never be put to shame.  Deliver me in Your righteousness, and set me free;  incline Your ear to me and save me."   (Psalm 70:1-2) 

Great Vespers for Sunday Divine Liturgy - "By Thy divine intercession, O Lord, as Thou didst raise up the paralytic of old, so raise up my soul, paralyzed by sins and thoughless acts; so that being saved I may sing to Thee:  Glory to Thy majesty,O Bountiful Christ!"   (Kontakion)

Divine Liturgy - Sunday of the Paralytic - "By Thy divine intercession, O Lord, as Thou didst raise up the paralytic of old, so raise up my soul, paralyzed by sins and thoughless acts; so that being saved  I may sing to Thee:  Glory to Thy majesty, O Bountiful Christ!"  (Kontakion)