Holy Week Services 2025
SUMMARY OF THE SERVICES OF HOLY WEEK
Taking into consideration the necessity of the faithful having to put in a full workday during Holy Week, and to maximize attendance at the various services celebrated at this time, the daily offices of the entire week are done “in anticipation.” For example, the Service of Matins for Holy Monday is actually sung on Palm Sunday evening instead of the morning of Holy Monday, and so on throughout the week.
What follows is a brief summary of the Holy Week Services.
SATURDAY OF LAZARUS (Saturday before Palm Sunday): April 12 – 9 AM
Commemoration of the bring forth from the tomb in Bethany, by Christ, of his friend Lazarus, who lay in the grave for four days (the foretaste of our Lord’s Resurrection a week later.
PALM SUNDAY: April 13 – 9 AM
Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem – distribution of palms to the faithful.
PALM SUNDAY EVENING: April 13 – 7 PM
Matins of Holy Monday - the first of four “Bridegroom Services” – An icon of Christ, “Extreme Humility,” is carried in procession around the church and then venerated by the faithful. Christ, the “Bridegroom” is sacrificing Himself for His Bride, the Church. Commemoration is also made of Joseph (Genesis 37), and the fig tree cursed by Christ (Matthew 21).
GREAT AND HOLY MONDAY: April 14 – 7PM
Matins of Holy Tuesday – Commemoration of the “Wise Virgins” (Matthew 25)
GREAT AND HOLY TUESDAY: April 15 – 7PM
Matins of Holy Wednesday – Commemoration of the anointing of the Lord with myrrh by the woman in Bethany.
GREAT AND HOLY WEDNESDAY MORNING: April 16 – 10 AM
Presanctified Liturgy (communion from the consecrated gifts from the previous Sunday).
GREAT AND HOLY WEDNESDAY EVENING: April 16 – 7 PM
The Mystery (Sacrament) of Holy Unction is celebrated. The Faithful are anointed with the Oil of Healing.
GREAT AND HOLY THURSDAY MORNING: April 17 – 10 AM
Great Vespers and Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great in commemoration of the
Institution of the Holy Eucharist. The priest sanctifies and preserves a portion of the Holy Gifts as, “Reserve Sacrament,” which is placed in a special container (Tabernacle) on the Holy Altar Table where it will remain and be used throughout the following year as Communion for the sick or homebound.
GREAT AND HOLY THURSDAY EVENING: April 17 – 7 PM
The reading of the Twelve Gospel accounts of the Passion of our Lord and Savior. Procession of the crucifix, commemorating the crucifixion of Christ.
GREAT AND HOLY FRIDAY MORNING: April 18 – 9 AM
The reading of the “Royal Hours,” called such because in Byzantine times, the Emperor and Empress would come to The Great Church (Holy Wisdom in Constantinople) to hear the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion of Christ. During the morning hours, a portable bier (kouvouklion), representing the tomb of Christ, is decorated with flowers. The Epitaphion (an embroidered cloth with an icon of Christ in repose) will be placed in the kouvouklion on Holy Friday afternoon and taken in procession around the outside of the church on Holy Friday evening.
GREAT AND HOLY FRIDAY AFTERNOON: April 18 – 3 PM
Commemoration of the “Taking down from the Cross” of the body of Christ and placing it in the tomb (Apokathilosis).
GREAT AND HOLY FRIDAY EVENING: April 18 – 7 PM
Commemoration of the burial of Christ. The singing of the Lamentations, funeral hymns, as Christ’s body lies in the tomb. A procession takes place outside the church with all the Faithful following behind the Epitaphion, carrying lighted candles. Note: Holy Friday is the only day of the calendar year when the Divine Liturgy is never celebrated.
GREAT AND HOLY SATURDAY MORNING: April 19 – 10 AM
The first announcement – by anticipation – of the Resurrection of our Lord. Vespers of the Resurrection are celebrated in conjunction with the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil. Note: This is the only Saturday of the calendar year designated as a Fast Day.
Following Liturgy, the services of Baptism and Chrismation will be held. Baptism is the mystery of starting anew, of dying to an old way of life and being born again into a new way of life, in Christ. Chrismation is the holy mystery by which a baptized person is granted the gift of the Holy Spirit through anointing with oil.
GREAT AND HOLY SATURDAY EVENING: April 19 – 11:30 PM
Matins (at 11:30 pm) and Divine Liturgy of the Resurrection. The Great Hymn, “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and to those in the tombs, He has granted life,” is chanted multiple times as the Faithful acknowledge the triumph of Christ over the dominion of death. “This is the Lord’s Pascha!” Hard-boiled eggs, dyed red, are distributed to all, as a symbol of the Resurrection of Christ. Please bring dyed eggs to share with the congregation.
HOLY PASCHA – LATE MORNING: April 20 - 11:30 AM
The Service of Vespers concludes the cycle of services of Holy Week. The Faithful gather to hear hymns proclaiming the Resurrection, and the Gospel account of the Resurrected Christ’s appearance to Thomas (John 20:19-25) is recited in different languages indicating the universal message of the Resurrection. Please bring a dish to share. Roast Lamb will be provided!
