Great and Holy Week
is approaching. With the arrival of Lazarus Saturday and the Feast of the Lord
Jesus Christ's Entry into Jerusalem, the intensity of Orthodox Christian life
increases.
The time is at hand
to think about the arrest, the trial, the crucifixion, the death and
resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The time is at hand to think about the
Son of God voluntarily going to the Cross.
Each person needs
to savor the meaning of the Cross. Each person needs to meditate on the meaning
of the Cross. Each person needs to attempt to fathom the degree of sacrifice,
the degree of humility represented in Jesus Christ going to the Cross.
The Holy Apostle
Paul told the Corinthians: "I determined not to know anything among you
except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."(I Cor.2:2) Believers need to
determine the amount of time they devote daily to Jesus Christ.
Believers need to
determine the amount of time they will devote to the Lord Jesus Christ during
Holy Week.
Many services are
scheduled in Orthodox Churches during Holy Week. Each service is rich in
content. Each service is rich in Scripture. Each service directs the mind and
heart and soul to the Lord Jesus Christ.
The soul of each
person deserves attention throughout life. The soul deserves care throughout
life. The point at which individuals become conscious of and begin to care for
the soul can vary.
A small number of
individuals are serious about Christ from an early age. A small number of
individuals are active believers from an early age and remain active throughout
life.
Some individuals
are active and conscious sinners but at a certain point in life turn to Christ
in repentance. When the commitment to Christ is made, concern for the soul
arises.
The battle for the
soul is a daily battle. The battle for the soul is a moment by moment battle.
Temptations, passions, diversions, detractions, outside influences and internal
thoughts can create tension in the person and put the soul in peril.
Believers must
remain close to Christ. Believers must turn to Christ in the face of
temptations and distractions, in face of contrary thoughts and inclinations.
Only Christ gives
the strength to battle for the soul.
The First Epistle
of St. John says: "You are of God, little children, and have overcome
them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."(I
Jn.4:4)
The soul has
greater value than the whole world (Mt.16:26) Holy Week is the time to contemplate
the condition of the soul. Holy Week is the time to contemplate Christ and the
care of the soul.
Holy Week is the
time to contemplate what is valued most in life. Our Lord Jesus Christ said:
"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."(Mt. 6:21)
Each believer
determines the allocation of time and personal resources. Each believer applies
personal time and resources to the pursuit of goals, to the living of daily
life.
Family and friends,
work and community, church and personal interests are allocated a portion of a
believer's time and resources. Time studies can show where waste exists. Time
studies can show where a certain area or areas of life can receive greater
emphasis and attention than others.
During Holy Week
believers will answer the question of the importance given to the Lord Jesus
Christ. During Holy Week believers will answer the question of weight and
importance given to the soul.
The Lord God
deserves expressions of appreciation. The Lord God deserves acknowledgement of
His Glory. The Lord God deserves expressions of love.
Holy Week affords
the believer the opportunity to hear the complete Gospels of Sts. Matthew,
Mark, Luke and most of the Gospel of St. John. Holy Week affords the believer
the opportunity to hear the accounts of Jesus' crucifixion. Holy Week affords
the believer the opportunity to join with others in being attentive to the life
of the Lord Jesus Christ.
By coming to church
during Holy Week, believers not only come to learn, believers by their presence
witness to the importance assigned to the life in Christ.
By attending church
during Holy Week, believers declare by action that church services are an
important part of life.
The soul requires
nourishment. Holy Week provides nourishment for the soul. Opportunities exist
for receiving the Precious Body and Blood of Christ. Opportunities exist for
anointing at the Service of Holy Unction.
Holy Week is a week
of serious prayer. Holy Week is a week of serious concentration on Christ. Holy
Week is a week of serious church services. Holy Week is a movement toward the
joy of Pascha.
Believers know
going into Holy Week where Holy Week leads. Believers know of the Cross and the
Tomb. Believers also know about the Resurrection.
Believers immersed
in Holy Week open their hearts and minds to the experience of Christ.
Holy Week is an
invitation to the full life in the Church. Holy Week is an invitation to share
with Christ the experience of betrayal, arrest, trial, crucifixion, death and
resurrection.
Holy Week can
transform the believer if he or she enters Holy Week seeking transformation.
Our Lord said: "All things are possible to him who
believes."(Mk.9:23)
The mind, heart and
soul have much to deal with in Holy Week. The mind, heart and soul have much to
absorb. The mind, heart and soul are of central importance during Holy Week.
Christ upon the
Cross has a view of each heart. Christ upon the Cross has a view of each mind.
Christ upon the Cross knows the condition of our souls. The passing of
centuries does not diminish the power of the Cross.
The passage of
centuries does not diminish the message of the Cross. What weight will each
believer assign to the message of the Cross? Which believers will open minds
and hearts to the message of the Cross?
Christ was upon the
Cross between two criminals. Believers going through Holy Week come face to
face with Christ upon the Cross. How many will shed tears of repentance? How
many will shed tears of love? How many will shed tears of thanksgiving?
The forgiveness of
sins takes on greater meaning during Holy Week. The ability to receive the
Precious Body and Blood of Christ in each century takes on greater clarity
during Holy Week.
Believers attending
Divine services each day of Holy Week invest in the Kingdom of God. Believers
attending the Divine services each day of Holy Week draw strength from the
experience.
Corporate prayer,
corporate worship are strengthening experiences. The Divine services of the
Holy Orthodox Church are not diluted. They are rich in content.
Time is required to
observe Holy Week. The time is well invested time.
The direction a
life takes is determined by the choices made. A conscious choice, a conscious
decision can turn a person toward the life in Christ.
Holy Week is a
concentrated focus on the life of Christ. Believers can hear about the
Annunciation, about the Baptism in the Jordan, about the turning of the water
into wine by attending services during Holy Week.
The Church wants
believers to know the available details about the earthly life of the Lord
Jesus Christ. Believers do well to recall the available details about the
earthly life of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Learning about the
factual details of Jesus' life girds the believer for the daily battles for
life. Being immersed in the life of Christ is an opening of the heart and mind
to Christ.
Holy Week summons
the hearts and minds of believers to concentrate onChrist completely. Holy Week
summons the hearts and minds of believers to be open to the life of Christ in
ways hitherto unknown.
Holy Week gives
focus for the believer. Holy Week is set apart as a special time of the year.
Holy Week comes after a long period of preparation. Holy Week stands out from
the other weeks of the year.
The importance
believers attach to Holy Week is directly proportionate to their faith. The
importance believers attach to Holy Week is directly proportionate to their
interest in growing as Christians.
The importance
believers attach to Holy Week is directly proportionate to their love and
hunger for Christ. The importance believers attach to Holy Week is in direct
ratio to the need to satisfy the longing of the soul for unity with God.
Believers somehow
must find the proper balance of remaining true to the Faith while being renewed
in the Faith. Believers must move beyond paths of sin to paths of renewal in
Christ.
Believers must cast
aside hindrances which tie the believer to sin and detract the believer.
Believers must embrace life in a way that brings greater unity with Christ.
Increased knowledge
about Christ and the Church is necessary for all believers. Increased prayer is
necessary for all believers. A life strengthened by the Precious Body and Blood
of Christ, a life renewed through Holy Confession, is a life directed toward
Christ and united with Christ.
We never know how
many Holy Weeks will be in our lives. Going to Divine services during Holy Week
on successive years can have a cumulative effect on a person.
The celebration of
Divine services during Holy Week has a positive effect on the communities in
which services are held. A ripple effect occurs which is often is not noticed.
The more Divine
services held in a parish, the greater the potential enrichment of parish life.
Attentiveness is necessary at the service. Coming to the services with great
faith and expectations are pluses.
Believers benefit
from thinking carefully about the Holy Week services attended during their
lifetimes. Believers benefit from making a commitment each year to be in church
during Holy Week.
Believers can bring
their cares to church during Holy Week. Believers can come to God and prostrate
before God and seek help from God. Believers can prostrate before God and seek
forgiveness from God. Believers can prostrate before God and give thanks to
God.
Believers can come
to church during Holy Week with open ears, open mind and open hearts. Believers
can receive Divine instruction as communicated through the Divine services of
the Church.
Believers can draw
strength from the witness of the clergy, the altar servers, and the singers.
Believers can draw inspiration from the holy icons, the detailed frescoes, and
the order and structure of the church.
Believers arriving
at Holy Week can think back to the first announcements of the coming of Great
Lent. Believers arriving at Holy Week can think of the individuals identified
with the arrest, trial, crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.
Believers arriving
at Holy Week can examine their personal goals and determine if they are in
harmony with the Crucified and Resurrected Christ. Believers coming to Holy
Week can come with inquisitive minds seeking to learn more about the
Crucifixion and Resurrection.
Fullness exists in
each Divine service of Holy Week. Each Divine service in each location is part
of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church identified in The Creed professed
at Holy Baptism and recited at each Divine Liturgy.
The Divine services
of Holy Week are manifestations of the Church in given locations at given times
in history. The Divine services of Holy Week are expressions of the Church in
contemporary times in contemporary locations.
The Divine services
of Holy Week are in keeping with the continuous history of the Church. Holy Week
services are celebrated throughout the inhabited world.
Attendance at Holy
Week services is completely voluntary. Individuals are not obligated to attend
the Divine services of Holy Week. Individuals identified as believers are
expected to attend as many Holy Week services as is possible.
To make Holy Week
an important part of life, believers must be ready to exclude other activities.
Believers must be willing to forego activities that would normally occur during
the time period of Holy Week.
Families need to
come to terms with Holy Week. Parents need to determine which services of Holy
Week the children will be required to attend. Perhaps absence from school is
necessary.
Not all schools
take the same view regarding excused absences for church services. Not all
parents make the commitment to have children attend Divine services during
school time.
The atmosphere in
the home is something to think about as it relates to Holy Week. What kind of
activities will be permissible in the home? Will children be permitted to
engage in recreational, athletic or social activities on Great and Holy
Thursday, Great and Holy Friday, Great and Holy Saturday?
Will employed
adults make an effort to be excused from work to attend Divine services during
Holy Week? How many individuals will schedule available vacation periods to be
in church during Holy Week?
How many homes will
silence their televisions during Holy Week? How many homes will take on an
atmosphere of reverence during Holy Week? How many individuals will limit their
activities during Holy Week?
Will fasting and
prayer dominate the lives of believers during Holy Week? Believers control
their hearts and minds to a degree. Believers determine the attitude and
disposition they will have toward the arrival of Holy Week.
Believers determine
the approach they will maintain towards Holy Week. Parents set examples for
their children in the way they approach Holy Week. Parents are in a position to
determine what minor children will do or not do regarding the attending of
services during Holy Week.
Employers can make
their places of employment either "friendly" for employees to attend
Divine services during Holy Week or make it extremely difficult.
Community leaders
are in positions of scheduling events. Sensitive community leaders will refrain
from scheduling community events that conflict with Holy Week observances.
Individuals
involved with community athletics can exercise restraint regarding the
scheduling of activities during Holy Week. Parents and other responsible adults
can make known in their communities that it is unacceptable for schools and
community recreational associations to schedule activities during Holy Week.
Academicians should
be sensitive to the religious beliefs of students and refrain from being
adamant about the scheduling of exams that would fall on such days as Great and
Holy Friday.
The atmosphere in
parish churches should reflect the seriousness of Holy Week. Parish churches
exist for the celebration of the Divine services of the Church, for the
salvation of souls, for the advancement and proclamation of the Gospel.
Parish churches
exist for educational instruction, for bringing individuals to Christ and
keeping individuals united with Christ. Parish churches do not exist for the
promotion of activities which weaken the commitment to and life in Christ.
Most individuals
give a small percent of their time to Orthodox Christian Divine services and to
parish life. Parishes must do everything possible to use the time devoted to
parish life to strengthen the Christian commitment and nourish the souls of
believers.
Holy Week by virtue
of the name "Holy" sets the week aside as being special and in a
category by itself. Of all the weeks of the year, only one week is called
"Holy".
Holy Week is a
finite period of time with a finite order of services. Certain flexibility
exists in the scheduling of services in parishes. Certain flexibility in parish
practices exists.
All services are to
be celebrated according to the canonical practices of the Holy Orthodox Church.
All observances of Holy Week are to be within the Holy Tradition of the
Orthodox Church.
Each Holy Week sets
a tone for parish life. Parish expectations and practices establish the tone.
Ideally, parish life is strengthened as a result of the observance of Holy
Week.
Ideally,
individuals come to Holy Week services, observe Holy Week in their personal
lives, and are improved Christians as a result. Indeed, the death of Christ on
the Cross touches the inner most depths of serious believers.
The death of Christ
on the Cross reaches beyond human comprehension. The death of Christ on the
Cross is all consuming on Great and Holy Friday. The joy of the Resurrection is
revealed after the darkness of the death on the Cross.
The Divine Liturgy
on Great and Holy Saturday takes the believer through Old Testament readings
that stretch the mind and touch the heart and soul. The Divine Liturgy of Great
and Holy Saturday brings peace and tranquility, a presence of God and
confidence in the Resurrection.
Some believers
during their lifetime are blessed to be present at The Office of the Divine and
Sacred Washing. The Lord Jesus Christ set the example for subsequent
generations when He washed His disciples' feet. Jesus said: If I then, your
Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's
feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done
to you."(Jn.13:13-14)
The Office of Holy
Unction is often served on Holy Wednesday evening. Believers seeking the
healing of soul and body come to this service. Believers seeking completeness
in preparation for Pascha come to this service.
The reading of the
Twelve Gospels during Matins for Holy Friday is of interest to many Orthodox
believers. Many believers make a special effort to come to this service.
The burial
procession on Holy Friday and the presence of Christ's Tomb in the Church are
riveting experiences for serious believers.
Holy Week is not
limited to Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy
Week enrich the faithful coming to church.
Individuals taking
time on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to invest in Holy Week draw upon the
treasures of the Church and benefit as a result.
From Lazarus
Saturday to Pascha, believers are exposed to a continuous set of services that
can change the constitution of a person. Believers going through the continuous
experience and having invested fully in Great Lent will be different at Pascha.
With the arrival of
Holy Week, believers have the opportunity to think about their lives and the
degree of faithfulness to Christ. How many times has a believer denied Christ
as did the Holy Apostle Peter? How many when asked "Are not you also one
of this man's disciples?" answer by behavior as did Peter "I am
not."(Jn.18:17)
What form does
denial of Christ take place in the present? Are believers even aware and
conscious of denying Christ by actions of everyday life? When believers limit
active love of Christ and worship to the most minute segments of time, is this
not a certain sense of denial the divinity of Christ?
How often do
believers act like Judas and betray Jesus for a certain amount of silver?
(Mt.26:14-15) How often do compromises in daily life draw a believer away from
Christ and toward financial enrichment?
How often are
ethical decisions diluted in the name of practicality which represent betrayal
of Christ? How often do believers look at personal behavior and determine when
Christ is betrayed or denied by the daily actions?
Which believers will
come to church during Holy Week to venerate the Tomb of Christ? Which believers
will be there for the burial procession? How many will come on Holy Saturday
morning?
How many adults
have fond memories as children of having attended many Divine services of Holy
Week? How many believers will come to the Divine Liturgy on Holy Thursday
morning and partake of the Precious Body and Blood of Christ?
How many believers
look with great anticipation to the Divine services of Holy Week? How many
believers treasure the experiences of each Holy Week as among the most
meaningful times of life?
Knowing that the
joy of the Resurrection is experienced at the conclusion of Great and Holy
Week, how does this anticipation affect the believer in the observance of Holy
Week?
Each believer will
determine the best way he or she will observe Holy Week. Each believer will
determine the way Holy Week will be received and honored.
The observing of
Holy Week is a completely free and voluntary choice. The love for Christ is a
complete and free choice of the believer. The recognition of Christ's love for
the believer comes from opening the mind and heart to Christ.
Great and Holy Week
is celebrated each year with full knowledge that previous celebrations have
existed. Great and Holy Week is observed each year in a certain order and
format derived through prior practices in the Holy Orthodox Church.
Changes have
occurred through time. Certainly there has been an accumulation of services and
a development of services to arrive at the present structured Holy Week.
To do all of the
services possible during Holy Week requires a significant investment of time
and also a number of different individuals. A certain amount of stamina, a
certain amount of training, and a certain amount of understanding of service
content are required.
Preparation is
necessary for the conducting of services. Preparation is necessary to have the
proper mentality to participate in the services. Bodily preparation is
necessary for the participation in Divine services.
A specific place is
needed for the holding of Divine services during Holy Week. A minimum amount of
peace and order are necessary for the conducting of Divine services.
The greatness of
God is expressed in the Psalms. Psalm 104 begins with the words: "Bless
the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, thou art very great!"(Ps.104:1)
Believers should
seek the Spirit of God in Holy Week. Believers should seek the Holy Spirit, the
Lord the Giver of Life. When Jesus voluntarily went to the Cross, what He did
was unprecedented.
When Jesus rose
from the dead, what He did was unprecedented. Believers should invest fully in
Holy Week with the anticipation of being renewed in Christ in ways hitherto
unanticipated.
Heed the words of
the Holy Apostle Paul who said: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God."(Col.3:16)
Holy St. Nikolai in
Prayers by the Lake said: "Let my soul eat God and she will be crowned
with everlasting life. Let my mind eat God and it will be crowned with
everlasting wisdom. Let my heart eat God and it will be crowned with
everlasting joy."[2]
Holy Week is an
opportunity for the mind, heart and soul to eat God. May the vision and
understanding of God expand and God's love be embraced by each believer
observing Holy Week.
As Holy Week
approaches, bear in mind these words attributed to the Holy Apostle Paul and
look "to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy
that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated
at the right hand of the throne of God."(Heb.12:2).
God is more than
the human mind can fully comprehend. The Son of God taking on human flesh and
voluntarily going to the Cross for our salvation exceeds the ability of the
finite mind to fully appreciate.
Believers sin.
Believers have a life-long road to follow from the baptismal fount to the
Kingdom of God. Holy Week is an annual intersection in the life of the believer
that makes a difference in the way the world is seen and life is lived.
The whole world is
different because Holy Week is observed each year. The observance of Holy Week
is like a little leaven (I Cor. 5:6). The observance of Holy Week alters the
course of history.
Believers travel to
observe Holy Week. Believers are enriched by Holy Week. Believers are
transformed by Holy Week. Holy Week reveals the presence of the Church
centuries after the Death and Resurrection of Christ.
Time is transcended
by the observance of Holy Week. Christ's Death on the Cross is brought to the
present. The joy of the Resurrection is anticipated as a current event.
Individuals of
different ages, different sexes, on different continents, of different ethnic
backgrounds, share common ground and common observance of Holy Week. The Divine
services of Holy Week celebrated in different languages in different locations
carry the same message. The Holy Gospel is the same regardless of the language
in which it is proclaimed.
The Serbian
Orthodox Church is faithful to St. Sava and all Serbian saints in observing
Holy Week. The Serbian Orthodox Church knows well the message of the Cross and
the Resurrection.
The faithful
preparing for the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 partook of the Precious Body and
Blood of Christ. Every Holy Week, the Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross comes to
the fore. Centuries ago Jesus said: "This is My body which is given for
you; do this in remembrance of Me".This cup is the new covenant in My
blood, which is shed for you."(Lk.22:19-20).
We honor Christ
when we observe Holy Week. We honor the saints and martyrs of God's Holy Church
when we observe Holy Week. We remember the sacrifice and contributions of known
and unknown believers through the centuries who maintained the observance of
Holy Week.
We have an
obligation to present and future generations to observe Holy Week. We have an
obligation to care for our souls by observing Holy Week.
by Father Rodney Torbic
Source: http://orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/as-holy-week-approaches.aspx
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