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Orthodox Holy Week Streaming

I have always wanted to share the experience of Holy Week and Pascha with my friends and those who inquire about Orthodoxy. Words cannot convey the beauty of the hymns, the depth of the sorrow as we lead the body of Christ to his tomb, the joy as we celebrate His resurrection! It is a journey that begins long before the raising of Lazarus or the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and culminates in a procession by the entire congregation around the outside of the church at midnight. Bells ringing, choir singing, candles, banners, censers with bells - a joyous cacophony greeting the Resurrected Lord! Oh, and then there is Paschal Vespers on Sunday afternoon that nearly everyone returns for, as well. How does one explain that to be in church and truly experience Holy Week is the only way to do it - all the services!

A quartet (Fr. Andrew and three singers) is not quite the same. But it will still be beautiful and joyful and perhaps we will find beauty in the simplicity this year. We won't celebrate with the Agape feast following midnight Liturgy with all of our church family or have our Pascha gathering with family and friends at our house. But perhaps we can take a some of the extra time we have to focus on Christ's Resurrection.

Photo courtesy Mike Varian, Holy Monday Bridegroom Matins

If anyone is interested in seeing these services here is a link to our YouTube Livestream playlist. Thanks to our awesome crew for figuring it all out!

All services will be live-streamed and available to watch after.

Here is the schedule for the rest of the week:

Holy Tuesday, April 14: 
Bridegroom Matins at 7 pm

Holy Wednesday, April 15: 
Matins of Holy Thursday at 7 pm

Holy Thursday, April 16:
Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil at 10 am
Matins of Holy Friday (12 Gospel) at 7 pm

Holy Friday, April 17: 
Royal Hours at 8 am
Vespers (Shroud) at 2 pm
Matins of Holy Saturday at 7 pm

Holy Saturday, April 18: 
Nocturnes at 11:30 pm

Pascha, April 19: 
No Procession. Paschal Matins at 12 midnight followed by Paschal Liturgy
Paschal Vespers at 4 pm

Bright Monday, April 20: 
Bright Monday Liturgy at 9 am

* Thanks, Mary Varian for inspiring this post!

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