SSPP AT HOME STARTING GUIDE

As we come to the end of and look toward Pascha, we see how the Church is already preparing us for what is to come. At the last presanctified service, in one of the chanted verses, we heard about Lazarus, the friend of Jesus, whose resurrection we will celebrate this Saturday morning. We need to take the Church’s lesson on preparation and apply it during this time of ‘Stay at Home’ Holy Week. We can take this ‘Stay at Home’ opportunity to observe, teach, learn and question. It makes no difference whether we are alone, with a spouse or with young or older children; all of us (Orthodox and non-Orthodox) can make this time a new learning experience of Holy Week. But first we need to take a little time to prepare each day. So, how will this happen?

First, look at the Holy Week schedule for Live Stream. Decide (with your spouse and kids, if appropriate) which services you will actually participate in. Be realistic, as to how your family will react to the services and discuss your expectations with them. Let’s be honest, if you haven’t been to Holy Week services as a family in the past, it’s hard to expect your family to suddenly be excited about sitting in front of a computer/TV to ‘watch’ them! However, you now have the opportunity to choose a few services that would be meaningful to your whole family. Hmmm, but which to choose? See the brief descriptions after this paragraph.

Second, prepare ahead of time by reading the and for each service. Even if you choose not to participate in each service, you can still have it on in the room while discussing the events of the Gospel with your family or have older children read from the Bible and discuss. The Orthodox Study Bible has excellent notes to help your understanding. Find the that goes with the Gospel lesson. (see at the end of the document) REALLY look at it and ask the kids and your spouse what they see. This is where opportunities for observing, teaching, learning and questioning come in to play: Since it’s just your family ‘in church’ you can talk, observe and ask questions anytime during the service! First, just observe how the live stream works. We are very blessed to be able to see the inside of the altar during these services. Ask your spouse/children to tell what they see. Keep a running list of questions through out the week that you can ask about later. Remember! It’s OK to admit to your children/spouse that you don’t have the answer. They will learn from you that it is OK to ask any questions and also how to find the answers.

Third, for children 2 – 5yrs old, allow them to bring a ‘friend’ to church with them (one stuffed animal or doll) so your child can teach them how to act in church. Make sure they have a small prayer book or icon to hold and show to their ‘friend’. You’ll be amazed at how much your child actually knows about church if you’ve been going on a regular basis!

Now let’s take a brief look at each of the services: Great Lent ends today, before the Saturday of Lazarus. Holy Week starts on a Monday. The Saturday and Sunday in between is a link or a bridge between them. It’s a weekend of celebration before Holy Week begins.

On Saturday we celebrate the Raising of Lazarus, Jesus’ friend. Jesus chose to do this miracle as a preparation for how His Passion would end.

On Palm Sunday we celebrate Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. Everyone is excited to see Jesus because they think He is a King, yet He comes in on a donkey to show His humility. Many people lay down branches on the road before Him. During the service have your children take their Palm Crosses from last year (if you kept them) and put them down in front of the icon as the Gospel is read. If you don’t have a palm cross, go outside and find 2 sticks and make a cross with a twist tie or rubber band or follow the video we sent you to make paper crosses.

Sunday, Monday and Tuesday night are called the Bridegroom Services. These services show Jesus as our Bridegroom going to the Cross for us because He loves us so much. The kids will notice that Christ is not dressed like a man getting married, but a bridegroom shares his love with a bride just as Christ shares His love with us. So these services show us how we can bring our love to Jesus by doing things that are pleasing to Him.

Wednesday is the Sacrament of Holy Unction. There are 7 and relating to the healing power of the Holy Spirit. After each Gospel/Epistle there is a prayer for healing. Depending on your family’s attention span, this might be the day to choose 2 or 3 of the Gospels/Epistles/prayers to read and discuss and not ask your family to ‘sit’ through the service. Remember to explain that we would normally receive the Holy Unction Oil from the at the end of the service for ‘the healing of soul and body’. This might also be a good time to address any questions/concerns your family has about our current situation since this service is about healing.

Thursday morning is the service of the Last Supper in which Jesus declares the institution of the Eucharist. For younger kids some call it the First Communion. The Gospel is a long narrative of excerpts from Matthew, Luke and John. It is very descriptive and exact as to what happens to Jesus on His way to be crucified. So for young families, you might just want to choose the part that discusses Jesus having His Last Supper with His disciples.

Thursday evening - The Crucifixion This is a beautiful service of the reading of 12 Gospels, which show the events leading up to the Crucifixion of Christ. Again, these are very descriptive and exact and some of the events are repeated from the Thursday morning service. For this, caution is suggested regarding the age and maturity of your children as to what parts need to be read aloud. Of course the main point for all of us to take away from this service is that Jesus dies on the cross for us. If your children can stay up to see the procession of the cross, it would be a very moving experience for the family. If not, show the icon of the Crucifixion and have your family reverence it and kiss it as we would do if we were in church.

Great Friday Morning - the Service of the Great Hours This would be a great service to live stream and listen to as background as you prepare for the day ahead. Children can draw their own Kouvouklion (place where Jesus’ body will lay) and decorate with flowers. You can look for a picture of the shroud (Jesus’ body) online. If you have flowers growing outside now, bring some in and decorate a space for later this afternoon.

Great Friday Vespers (in the afternoon) - The Descent from the Cross This is a favorite service to have children attend because it is short and has action in it! Your family could prepare by getting an icon of Jesus on the cross and a towel or pillowcase. Also decide on a clean place to ‘bury’ Jesus. When the priest removes Christ’s body from the cross on live stream, your family can do the same at home. Wrap the icon in the towel or pillowcase and place it in the clean area. Keep it there until Pascha!

Great Friday Evening - The Lamentations This service is likened to a funeral service with beautiful hymns sung while Jesus’ body is carried around the church. Have your children participate by carrying a picture of Jesus and walking around your house while the hymns are being sung. If the service is too late for your kids, do it before they go to bed and sing “Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal” as you walk.

Holy Saturday Morning - This is a vesperal service with readings from the Books of Genesis, Jonah and Daniel. Your family could read these throughout the day if you don’t live stream the service. However, the Gospel for this day is the first time we hear of Christ’s Resurrection from the dead, so if possible have your family watch and listen to it. If you have a candle(s) light them while the Gospel is read.

Holy Saturday Evening - The Resurrection The time of this service is not conducive to young children staying awake for it, but if any in your family is awake for it, light your candles and make sure that you all sing “Christ is Risen” loud and proud!

Pascha - Take time in the morning to make sure the Gospel from last night is read and understood and light candles again and sing ‘Christ is Risen”.

The Agape Service is another short one that will keep most kids’ attention because we sing ‘Christ is Risen” a lot and it’s a good way to remind us that God’s Love is for all the world because the Gospel is usually read in different languages. If possible, have older children look up how to say Christ is Risen in another language.

****ICONS ARE ON THE NEXT PAGE****

Raising of Lazarus:

Palm Sunday:

The Bridegroom:

Last Supper:

The Crucifixion:

Epitaphios:

Resurrection: