Beginning on the evening of Palm Sunday and continuing through the evening of Holy Tuesday, the Orthodox Church observes a special service known as the Service of the Bridegroom. Each evening service is the Matins or Orthros service of the following day (e.g. the service held on Sunday evening is the Orthros service for Holy Monday).
Traditionally, the icon of Christ the Bridegroom (Gr: O Nymphios/Ο Νυμφίος) is brought to the front of the church on Palm Sunday evening, where it remains until Holy Thursday. In the icon, Christ's wedding garment is the robe the soldiers gave Him. His wedding crown is the crown of thorns. His head is bowed low and his arms are crossed in humility, laying down His life for His Bride. The wedding will be His Crucifixion on the Cross just behind Him. We are invited guests to the wedding. This is a week for us to prepare. [1/2]
Traditionally, the icon of Christ the Bridegroom (Gr: O Nymphios/Ο Νυμφίος) is brought to the front of the church on Palm Sunday evening, where it remains until Holy Thursday. In the icon, Christ's wedding garment is the robe the soldiers gave Him. His wedding crown is the crown of thorns. His head is bowed low and his arms are crossed in humility, laying down His life for His Bride. The wedding will be His Crucifixion on the Cross just behind Him. We are invited guests to the wedding. This is a week for us to prepare. [1/2]
[2/2] “Behold, the Bridegroom comes in the middle of the night,
And blessed is the servant He shall find vigilant;
But unworthy is he whom he shall find neglectful.
Beware therefore, O my soul, lest you be weighed down by sleep,
Lest you be given over to death and be closed out from the kingdom;
But rise up crying out: 'Holy! Holy! Holy are You our God;
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, have mercy on us.'”
(Troparion of the Bridegroom Service)
And blessed is the servant He shall find vigilant;
But unworthy is he whom he shall find neglectful.
Beware therefore, O my soul, lest you be weighed down by sleep,
Lest you be given over to death and be closed out from the kingdom;
But rise up crying out: 'Holy! Holy! Holy are You our God;
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, have mercy on us.'”
(Troparion of the Bridegroom Service)
“The Church, under persecution, scores victories... It sails through rough seas, but it does not sink. It fights, but it is never defeated. O man, there is nothing more powerful than the Church.” + St John Chrysostom
Photo: Palm Sunday procession of 800 priests through the Romanian capital.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Photo: Palm Sunday procession of 800 priests through the Romanian capital.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Let us hasten, O believers, moving from one divine festival to another from palms and branches to the fulfilment of the august and saving sufferings of Christ. Let us watch Him, bearing His sufferings voluntarily for our sake; and let us sing unto Him with worthy praise, crying, O Fountain of mercy, O Haven of Salvation,O Lord, glory to You.
—Palm Sunday Evening Vespers.
—Palm Sunday Evening Vespers.
On Great and Holy Monday, we remember Christ's divine power and of God's judgment symbolized in Christ’s cursing of the fig tree. The tree portrayed the Jewish synagogue, which had not produced the fruit of faithful obedience to God and so was stripped of all spiritual grace. (Matthew 21: 18-20)
We also remember the patriarch Joseph, betrayed by his brothers and sold to foreigners for thirty pieces of silver. In the Old Testament story (Genesis 37, 39, 41), Joseph typifies in himself the betrayal, Passion, death and glorification of out Lord Jesus Christ.
We also remember the patriarch Joseph, betrayed by his brothers and sold to foreigners for thirty pieces of silver. In the Old Testament story (Genesis 37, 39, 41), Joseph typifies in himself the betrayal, Passion, death and glorification of out Lord Jesus Christ.
“He made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables” (John 2:15). On Holy Monday, we remember Christ’s cleansing of the Temple, which took place just days before His crucifixion.
His fiery actions bring to mind the prophetic words of the Psalmist, “Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.” (Psalm 69:9).
His fiery actions bring to mind the prophetic words of the Psalmist, “Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.” (Psalm 69:9).
Love now. Forgive now. The time is now. Saint Gheorghe Calciu, a survivor of torture in Romania’s communist prisons, gives us a timeless Holy Week: "Those of you who couldn’t love, start to love now. Forgive those who have wronged you. You who never had the power to forgive even the slightest mistake… Make out of this week, a week of purification, of angelic life. Be like angels!"
Did you know that the grave of the donkey that carried Christ is located at St. Mary Magdalene Orthodox Church in Jerusalem?
Perhaps it’s no coincidence that donkeys have the pattern of a cross on their backs.
Perhaps it’s no coincidence that donkeys have the pattern of a cross on their backs.
Saint Athanasius began his second of five exiles on April 16, 339, at Rome. It lasted seven and a half years. St. Gregory Nazianzen, fellow Doctor of the Church, said, "When I praise Athanasius, virtue itself is my theme: for I name every virtue as often as I mention him who was possessed of all virtues. He was the true pillar of the Church. His life and conduct were the rule of bishops, and his doctrine the rule of the Orthodox faith." (Or.21)
“And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up!” (James 5:15) The Sacrament of Holy Unction on Holy Wednesday is a long-standing tradition. It is a special time of forgiveness and healing of soul and body, including in times of great sickness among the people.
Make a list of people you know who are sick and pray the following: "O Christ, You alone are prompt to defend us; quickly visit Your suffering servants (say their names). Through the prayers of the Mother of God, deliver them from sickness and bitter pain. Heal them so that they may sing to You and always praise you – for You alone love us."
Make a list of people you know who are sick and pray the following: "O Christ, You alone are prompt to defend us; quickly visit Your suffering servants (say their names). Through the prayers of the Mother of God, deliver them from sickness and bitter pain. Heal them so that they may sing to You and always praise you – for You alone love us."
Why are you lazy, my pitiful soul? Why are you thinking about unprofitable cares at such a time? Why are you busy with things that pass away? The final hour is at hand and we shall soon be parted from all that is here. While you still have time, get sober and cry, “I have sinned against You, my Saviour. Do not cut me down like that unfruitful fig tree; but, since You are compassionate, O Christ, take pity on me as I cry out with fear: Let us not be left out of the wedding hall of Christ.”—Oikos from the Bridegroom Service
Image by Vladimir Zanoga. Skvoz veka, 1992
Image by Vladimir Zanoga. Skvoz veka, 1992
One Sunday, Metropolitan Anthony Bloom, gave a sermon as follows:
“Last night a woman with a child came to this church. She was in trousers and with no headscarf. Someone scolded her. She left. I do not know who did that, but I am commanding that person to pray for her and her child to the end of his days to God for their salvation. Because of you she may never go to church again.”
He turned around, head down, and entered the Altar. That was the entire sermon.
“Last night a woman with a child came to this church. She was in trousers and with no headscarf. Someone scolded her. She left. I do not know who did that, but I am commanding that person to pray for her and her child to the end of his days to God for their salvation. Because of you she may never go to church again.”
He turned around, head down, and entered the Altar. That was the entire sermon.
On this mournful day of Holy Week, when we remember the betrayal of Judas, may the Lord strengthen us in the fight against our passions, especially with the love of money and the thirst for profit. May He grant us wisdom and understanding to rightly assess life and choose the right values. May He cleanse our hearts with repentance and humility, so that we may always remain faithful to Christ and not betray Him by our sins.
Let us, brothers and sisters, learn from the example of Judas, reject the sin of betrayal and strive for loyalty to Christ, so that we may be granted eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven!
Amen.
With prayers for you and love in Christ, Fr. Vladimir”
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Let us, brothers and sisters, learn from the example of Judas, reject the sin of betrayal and strive for loyalty to Christ, so that we may be granted eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven!
Amen.
With prayers for you and love in Christ, Fr. Vladimir”
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