459. Holy Wednesday Night Matins and Holy Unction

Note that we’re still on our Holy Week “topsy-turvy” schedule, always “anticipating” the next appointed service. As I said, I don’t really understand why we do this. However somehow it feels just right for this Week when the whole world and all of history got turned upside down – even though the world didn’t know […]

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456. Holy Tuesday Morning: Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

Troparion of Bridegroom Matins: Kievan chant, sung by “Archangel Voices” Behold, the Bridegroom comes at midnight, and blessed is that servant whom He shall find awake, but unworthy is the servant whom He shall find heedless. Beware, therefore, O my soul, do not be weighed down with sleep, lest you be given up to death, […]

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455. Holy Monday Night: Bridegroom Matins for Holy Tuesday

Troparion (Apolytikion) at Bridegroom Matins, sung on the first three nights of Holy Week: “Thy bridal chamber I see adorned, O my Savior, but I have no wedding garment that I may enter. O Giver of Light, enlighten the vesture of my soul, and save me.” from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgK0Fc8QUOs   Pat Tsalgakis at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFrdWVEVKYE Chanted in […]

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453: Palm Sunday Night: Bridegroom Matins for Holy Monday Morning

Introduction In our parish churches, Matins/Orthros is normally sung in the morning. So why, you may ask, are we now suddenly having it in the evening? Also and equally odd, why during Holy Week do we have Vesperal Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (obviously an evening service) in the morning? I’m really sorry you asked […]

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452. Palm Sunday Divine Liturgy: The Entrance of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ into Jerusalem

Introduction Yesterday we celebrated the raising of Lazarus which was, as we sang, the “prefiguring of the General Resurrection”, when all mankind will be raised from death. “Those who have done what is good will rise to life, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.” John 5:29  Christ was demonstrating, […]

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