Holy Wednesday - The Holy Gospel lesson for today tells us about a woman who approached Jesus with a jar of precious perfumed ointment, and with complete faith, total humility, and absolute sincerity, she performed the noble service of anointing Him. This act definitely showed her esteem and love for Jesus. Today is the mid-point of Passion Week and Christ, the Royal Bridegroom, the Suffering Servant, the Lover of Mankind prepares to surrender Himself - the only Sinless One - into the darkness of man’s despair.          Read Matthew 26:6-13.

Holy Thursday - Jesus has His last meal with His disciples. He shares with them His life, His Body and Blood, in Holy Communion. We hear of Jesus Christ who washed the feet of His disciples. He does this to demonstrate His subservience to all humanity. He came as a servant, obedient to His Father’s will, to secure our salvation. This morning we are also reminded of the betrayal of Judas. In the evening we hear in church the 12 Gospel readings telling us about Jesus’ trial and death. This Matins of the Passion offers us a tremendous opportunity to meditate and renew our memory of the sufferings of our Lord on our behalf.               Read Matthew 26:17-30.

Holy Thursday - Jesus has His last meal with His disciples. He shares with them His life, His Body and Blood, in Holy Communion. We hear of Jesus Christ who washed the feet of His disciples. He does this to demonstrate His subservience to all humanity. He came as a servant, obedient to His Father’s will, to secure our salvation. This morning we are also reminded of the betrayal of Judas. In the evening we hear in church the 12 Gospel readings telling us about Jesus’ trial and death. This Matins of the Passion offers us a tremendous opportunity to meditate and renew our memory of the sufferings of our Lord on our behalf. Read Matthew 26:17-30.

Great and Holy Friday - Today we remember how Jesus Christ was betrayed, judged, jeered at, crucified and then buried by his friends. It is important to remember that Jesus suffered greatly while on the cross. During the Vesper service, in early afternoon, the priest places the Epitaphion or Plashchanitza (a large icon representing Jesus Christ after He has been taken down from the Cross) on a special stand representing the tomb, in the middle of the church. Thus, at this vespers, we see the end of the events of Holy Friday with the crucifixion of our Lord, and His rest in the tomb from which He will arise. All the people come up and venerate the Icon in the tomb in the center of the church.

Holy Saturday - Today is the day that connects Great Friday with the Radiant Resurrection. The sorrow simply cannot be replaced by the joy. Rather, the sorrow is slowly transformed into joy. The darkness of Death gives way to the radiance of Life, just as the vestments are changed from black to white at the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil celebrated this morning. This was the “hour” of Christ: “For this I have come.” All those catechumens who had been preparing to be baptized and confirmed on Pascha for that year were illuminated by Baptism, Chrismation and the Eucharist at this liturgy for Pascha.

Holy Saturday - Today is the day that connects Great Friday with the Radiant Resurrection. The sorrow simply cannot be replaced by the joy. Rather, the sorrow is slowly transformed into joy. The darkness of Death gives way to the radiance of Life, just as the vestments are changed from black to white at the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil celebrated this morning. This was the “hour” of Christ: “For this I have come.” All those catechumens who had been preparing to be baptized and confirmed on Pascha for that year were illuminated by Baptism, Chrismation and the Eucharist at this liturgy for Pascha.

“Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered; let those who hate Him flee from before His face!                 CHRIST IS RISEN!              INDEED HE IS RISEN!

“Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered; let those who hate Him flee from before His face!           CHRIST IS RISEN!            INDEED HE IS RISEN!

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.     By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."       (John 13:34-35)    Jesus here tells us the new measure required of our love: we must love as Christ has loved us, laying down His life not only for His friends, but even for His enemies.

"Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing."  Thomas answered him   "My Lord and my God!"    Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me?   Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."    (John 20:27-29)

I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.   (John 10:9-10)

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."  (John 8:12-13)

I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me,  as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.  And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd.   (John 10:14-16)

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."   (John 9:5)