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Line 54: − + − '''Palm Sunday Morning''' − Palms are distributed to the people in the Church. The Epistle reading is Phil. 4:4-9, and the Gospel reading is John 12:1-18. − − '''Palm Sunday Evening''' − This service commemorates the blessed and noble Joseph and the fig tree which was cursed and withered by the Lord. The Gospel reading during this service is Matthew 21:18-43. − − '''Monday Evening''' − This service commemorates the parable of the Ten Virgins, Mtt. 25:1-13. The Gospel is Matthew 22:15-23 through 23:39; 24:26 through 26:2. − − '''Tuesday Evening''' − This serivice commemorates the anointing of Christ with myrrh by the woman in the house of Simon, the leper, in Bethany. The Gospel reading is John 12:17-50. − − '''Wednesday Morning''' − The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is celebrated on this day for the last time during Lent. − − '''Wednesday Evening''' − Holy Unction takes place on this Wednesday evening. At the end of the service, the priest anoints the people with Holy Oil. − − '''Thursday Morning''' − During this Liturgy the priest prepares the "Amnos", the Holy Communion, which is kept throughout the whole year to be given the faithful in times of sickness. − − '''Thursday Evening''' − This service is long, but its content is deeply moving. There are "Twelve Gospel" readings of this service. After the reading of the fifth Gospel comes the procession with the Crucifix around the church. During the Procession, the faithful Christian kneels and prays for his spiritual welfare, imitating the thief on the Cross who confessed his faith and devotion to Christ. − − '''Friday Morning''' − According to the Hebrew custom, the "Royal Hours", four in number, are read at this time. − − '''Friday Afternoon''' − The Vespers of Friday afternoon are a continuation of the Royal Hours. During this service, the removal of the Body of Christ from the Cross is commemorated. As the priest reads the Gospel he removes the Body of Christ from the Cross, wraps It in a white cloth and takes It to the altar. The priest then chants a mourning hymn. The priest then carries the cloth on which the Body of Christ is painted or embroidered around the church before placing It inside the Sepulcher, a carved bier which symbolizes the Tomb of Christ. − − Good Friday is the only day in the year on which the Divine Liturgy is not officiated. − − '''Friday Evening''' − This service consists of psalms, hymns and readings, dealing with the death of Christ. In some parishes the entire flower-bedecked Sepulcher, symbolizing the Tomb, is carried in the procession.The entire congregation joins in singing the, three parts of the "Hymns of Praise". After these hymns are sung, the priest sprinkles the Sepulcher and the whole congregation with fragrant water. − − '''Saturday Morning''' − At this service psalms are read and Resurrection hymns are sung which tell of Christ's descent into Hades. − The Resurrection is celebrated. Before midnight, the Odes of Lamentation of the previous day are repeated. The Orthros of the Resurrection begins in complete darkness. The priest takes light from the vigil light and gives it to the faithful, who are holding candles. In many churches the priest leads the people outside the church, where he reads the Gospel.+ − − The people wait for the priest to start the hymn of Resurrection, which they join him in singing, repeatedly: "Christ has Risen from the dead, by death trampling upon Death, and has bestowed life upon those in the tombs". From this moment the entire service takes on a joyous Easter atmosphere. − − The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is then officiated. At the end of the Liturgy, a part of the marvelous festival sermon of St. Chrysostom is read. − '''Pascha Afternoon'''+ − Easter Sunday afternoon the faithful gather once more for prayer with lighted candles. All sing the hymn, "Christ is Risen from the Dead". The people greet one another joyously, saying: "Christ is Risen", the Easter salutation which is answered, "Truly He is Risen". − +
→Holy Week
== Holy Week ==
== Holy Week ==
There are services throughout Holy Week beginning with Palm Sunday Morning.
'''Saturday Midnight (Pascha)'''
'''Saturday Midnight (Pascha)'''
Before midnight, the Odes of Lamentation of the previous day are repeated. The Orthros of the Resurrection begins in complete darkness. The priest takes light from the vigil light and gives it to the faithful, who are holding candles. In many churches the priest leads the people outside the church, where he reads the Gospel.
The people wait for the priest to start the hymn of Resurrection. From this moment the entire service takes on a joyous Easter atmosphere.
The Gospel according to John (20:19-25) is read in various languages, proclaiming the Good News of Resurrection all over the universe without discrimination.
The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is then officiated.
== Calculation of Pascha ==
== Calculation of Pascha ==