258. Holy Saturday morning Divine Liturgy

Pre-Script, written Holy Friday, 11:30 a.m. Forgive me for beginning with a personal note. I just discovered tonight’s Lamentations Service livestream from Agios Demetrios Church in Piraeus, a suburb of Athens near where Khouria Dianna and I used to stay. Any Protestant readers, including me long years ago, would not believe what it was like. […]

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324. Holy Friday night Matins of Holy Saturday: The Lamentations Service

This is a beautiful service, the service I love above all others – and that’s saying a lot. If for some reason you can’t get to church, please watch it livestream, either live or on video. Is this a funeral service? Yes. Is this a resurrection service? Yes! We stand before the bier on which […]

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256. Holy Friday afternoon Great Vespers

At last! a Holy Week service (and the only one) that is “in sync” with the time of day. We’re going to cover: 1 The ceremonies, 2 The Scripture readings. Beginning with last night’s Procession of the Body of Christ and continuing through Pascha, the ceremonies are intended to involve more fully in these wonderful closing events of Holy […]

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255. Holy Thursday night Matins of Holy Friday: the “Twelve Gospels” service

courtesy of Pravmir Be prepared tonight for over two hours in church. A powerful two hours. I have never felt the story of our Lord’s Passion more deeply than at this intense service. The Gospel Readings: 1 John 13:31-18:1 2 John 18:1-29 3 Matthew 26:57-75 4 John 18:28 -19:16 5 Matthew 27:3-32 6 Mark 15:16-32, 7 Matthew 27:33-54 8 Luke 23:32-49 9 John […]

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254. Holy Thursday Vesperal Divine Liturgy

To explain for our non-Orthodox visitors: In the Orthodox tradition the full Divine Liturgy is always a festival service, so it is not celebrated on fasting, penitential days, including all the ordinary weekdays of Great Lent. (Roman Catholics have more Masses during Lent. We have fewer Liturgies.) That is why on Lenten weekdays we serve […]

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