454. Holy Monday Morning: Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

   The Divine Liturgy is always a festival event. Therefore on the penitential weekdays of Lent and also on the ordinary weekdays of Holy Week, there is no celebration of the full Divine Liturgy. The Anaphora (the consecration of the Holy Gifts) is omitted, and Holy Communion is received from that which was previously consecrated, […]

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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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451. 1) Vespers for Palm Sunday, 2) How to keep Holy Week

For those who may not know: I’m repeating my annual series of twice-daily Posts during Holy Week. Before we begin: As we move towards this Holy Week please be sure to pray especially for the millions of Orthodox people of Ukraine, many of whom again this year will not be able to get to church […]

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450. Lazarus Saturday Morning Divine Liturgy

   Now we begin our twice-daily commentaries on the services and themes of Holy Week and Pascha – based on talks I gave at these services during the twenty-five years when I was Pastor of Saint Nicholas Church, Cedarburg. Each year I’ve altered them just a bit as I’ve come across new information, to correct […]

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