Holy week is set apart in the Orthodox Ecclesiastical Year so that we might slow down our pace and meditate upon and relive the glory and the agony of that week in our Lord's life which opened once again to all creation the doors of Paradise. The events of that week are presented to us by the church as a drama, which unveiling its mysteries to us, helps us identify with them and elevates to us in the all embracing movement toward our Lord's triumph over sin and death.

To fully benefit from this annual Holy Week drama, to experience a transformation in out lives and spiritual growth, we must participate in the services celebrated daily.

Saturday of Lazaros

This day is the beginning of the end. By raising Lazaros from the dead, Christ proves once again that He is God, the Lord of life. This caused many to believe in Him as the long-awaited Messiah. The negative result, however, is found in Hebrew religious leaders who feared a loss of power and, therefore, plotted to find a way to do away with Jesus.

Palm Sunday

The pious Hebrew people in recognition of Christ's divinity raise palms and proclaim Him King of the Jews. As the believers honor Him, the unbelievers seek more intensely to conspire against Him.

Christ's Entrance into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday may well be called a "Victory March." In ancient times, palms were considered a sign of victory, and in the Troparion for this blessed day, we sing the following: "We like the children of Israel, carry the symbol of victory, and cry out to you the conqueror of death; Hosanna in the highest." Yes, the branches of Palm Sunday symbolizes a victory hoped for and a victory promised.

But on that first Palm Sunday, it was a victory not yet won. To enter Jerusalem, Christ had to pass through the Garden of Gethsemane - the place where He would be betrayed and arrested - and cross the Kidron Valley, which is fittingly referred to as the "Valley of Death." This valley, located right outside the walls of the city, had long served as a burial ground for the Jews. Before His great triumph over death, Christ had to pass through His own "valley of death." He had to suffer and face humiliation and abandonment. Before He could be Conqueror of death, Christ had to die.

May the message of Palm Sunday not be overlooked by us. As we follow the Lord, we, too, will face a certain amount of suffering, rejection, loneliness and yes, even our own death. Still, we must walk with Christ without fear and reservation, for He will lead us through the "valley of death" to everlasting life in the Kingdom of Heaven. The branches we receive today - the symbol of OUR VICTORY as well as Christ's - are a constant reminder of this wonderful truth.

(taken from the Orthodox Weekly Bulletin - Vestal, NJ)

Sunday, Monday & Tuesday

During Holy Week the Orthros Service of the forthcoming day is celebrated the evening before. On Palm Sunday evening we celebrate the Orthros of Monday morning and thus relive the events of Monday.

The evenings of Palm Sunday, Holy Monday, and Holy Tuesday share a common theme.

The unbelievers discuss schemes to find fault in Jesus and a legal way to do away with Him. The scriptural lessons and hymns emphasize the approaching end of Christ's life on earth. Repentance from evil is encouraged, while evil continues to motivate the enemies of God against Him.

Holy Wednesday Evening

The Sacrament of Holy Oil is celebrated for the healing of body and soul. It grants spiritual and physical strength through prayer and the blessing of the Holy Oil.

Holy Thursday Morning

The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil is celebrated in commemoration of the Last Supper, so that all the faithful might be joined to the Mystical Body of Christ. On this day the Reserved Holy Communion is prepared and placed in the Tabernacle on the Altar. This is used for the sick throughout the entire year.

Holy Thursday Evening

We are in Jerusalem to relive the events of our Lord's betrayal and seizure, the trials before the Sanhedrin and Pontius Pilate, the agony of the road to Golgotha, and the crucifixion. The twelve Gospel lessons narrate these events. The Cross is carried around the Church, commemorating the Way of the Cross, and it is placed on the solea to remind us of His Crucifixion. We behold Christ on the Cross and contemplate upon the power that evil has in this life... Vigil follows.

Holy Friday Afternoon

The Unnailing Service or "Apokathilosis" of our Lord is reenacted. The Body of Christ is removed from the Cross on the solea, wrapped in a burial shroud and placed in the sanctuary. The Epitaphios, the cloth on which the Body of our Lord is embroidered is carried in a solemn funeral procession around the church and placed in the Tomb. {Kouvouklion}

Holy Friday Evening

The Burial Lamentations are sung before that Tomb of our Lord, which is decorated with flowers. The atmosphere begins to become theologically more joyous, for hymns with a resurrection theme are heard, culminating in the Great Doxology, which is sung only on joyous occasions. The procession of the Tomb around the Church, with the Epitaphios, takes place. This does not represent a funeral procession, but Christ's descent into Hades, where He preached to those held captive and resurrected them. Flowers are distributed as a token of our participation and taken home as a reminder of this event.

Holy Saturday Morning

Psalms of Holy Thursday are read and resurrection hymns are chanted. These tell about Christ's descent into Hades where he conquers death and resurrects all those held unjustly. For this reason it is called the "First Resurrection."

Holy Saturday Evening

The faithful gather in the Church to participate in the Feast of Feasts, Pascha, the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The Church is dark, reflecting the darkness of the world without Christ. The priest offers the Paschal light of Christ to the world, the light of life. The designated Gospel is read and the Resurrection is proclaimed. The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom is celebrated and our fifty day preparation period concludes in joyful triumph as we proclaim repeatedly... Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!