Holy and Great Week

Holy Week is the final week of preparation for the most important day of the Christian year, which is Pascha. We remember what did to prepare for His Resurrection. We witness Him talking about His betrayal at the with His disciples, His torture, His cruci- fixion, and His burial. We suffer at the moment of His death when the sky blackens, the veil of the Temple is torn, and the earth shakes. Jesus tried to teach us to love one another with humility. We honor Him throughout during all the Services as we prepare for His Resurrection. This is the week that reminds us that the essence of our faith lies in Jesus giving His life to save us and to grant us life everlasting.

Holy Monday Holy The parable of Tuesday the barren fig tree The parable of the teaches us that ten maidens tells us some people do about 5 maidens who not have real faith, followed Jesus and Holy are empty and 5 who did not. Thursday need help. Jesus celebrates the Mystical Supper with His disciples and gives us the Holy Holy Sacrament of Holy Communion. Friday He then goes to the Garden at The Priest Jesus’ feet are Gethsemane to pray and prepare removes the body washed with myrrh. for His crucifixion. We listen to of Christ from the We receive the the story of Jesus’ last hours. cross and brings out the Sacrament of Our Priest carries Jesus’ cross which symbolizes Holy Unction from Holy out of the , and we pray Christ’s tomb. We all sing the our Priest. Saturday in sadness. Jesus was laid to Lamentations which are about

rest and we are filled Jesus’ sad journey. Then, we with sadness. However, walk around our church in a our moods slowly begin funeral . to change because we know what lies ahead; the Resurrection.

Jesus’ crucifixion Jesus said:” Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do”…And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last. Luke 23:34-46 When the Centurion, and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they feared greatly saying, “Truly this was the Son of God.” Matthew 27:54

020-EN-ed03 Name:______Date:______

Color the flowers on Jesus’ tomb.

PRAYER I see Your Bridal Chamber PRAYER adorned, O my Saviour, and The noble taking I have no wedding garment, down from the Cross that I may enter therein; Your spotless Body, O Giver of Light, make enwrapped It in clean radiant the vesture of my linen with aromas, and laid soul, and save me. Holy It for burial in a new Tomb. Monday & Great Friday – Evening – (Exaposteilarion) (The Apokathelosis)

PRAYER Today is hung upon the Cross, He Who suspended the Earth amid the waters. A crowns Him, Who is the King of Angels. He, Who wrapped the Heavens in clouds, is clothed with the purple of mockery. He,Who freed Adam in the Jordan, received buffetings. He was transfixed with nails, Who is the Bridegroom of the Church. He was pierced with a lance, Who is the Son of the Virgin. We worship Your Passion, O Christ. Show us also your Resurrection. - Holy Thursday Evening -

020-EN-ed03 Holy and Great Week {Teacher’s Edition}

Lesson To have children understand the meaning of the services Objective: during Holy Week. (Please note that due to our anticipation of the following day’s services, we traditionally celebrate them the evening prior.)

Holy Week is the final week of preparation for the most important day of the Christian Introduction: year, which is Pascha. We remember what Jesus did to prepare for His Resurrection. We witness Him talking about His betrayal at the Last Supper with His disciples, His torture, His crucifixion, and His burial. We suffer at the moment of His death when the sky blackens, the veil of the Temple is torn, and the earth shakes. Jesus tried to teach us to love one another with humility. We honor Him throughout Holy Week during all the Services as we prepare for His Resurrection. This is the week that reminds us that the essence of our faith lies in Jesus giving His life to save us and to grant us life everlasting.

Jesus’ crucifixion Bible Reading: Jesus said:” Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do”…And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last. Luke 23:34-46 When the Centurion, and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they feared greatly saying, “Truly this was the Son of God.” Matthew 27:54

Holy Monday – The parable of the barren fig tree teaches us that some people do not have real Highlights: faith, are empty and need help.

Holy Tuesday – The parable of the ten maidens tells us about 5 maidens who followed Jesus and 5 who did not. Tell the children that a special song is sung, the of Cassiani.

Holy Wednesday – Jesus’ feet are washed with myrrh. We receive the Sacrament of Holy Unction from our Priest.

Holy Thursday – Jesus celebrates the Mystical Supper with His disciples and gives us the Sacra- ment of Holy Communion. He then goes to the Garden at Gethsemane to pray and prepare for His crucifixion. We listen to the story of Jesus’ last hours. Our Priest carries Jesus’ cross out of the altar, and we pray in sadness.

Holy Friday – The Priest removes the body of Christ from the cross and brings out the Epitaphios which symbolizes Christ’s tomb. We all sing the Lamentations which are about Jesus’ sad journey. Then, we walk around our church in a funeral procession.

Holy Saturday – Jesus was laid to rest and we are filled with sadness. However, our moods slowly begin to change because we know what lies ahead; the Resurrection.

Activity: Have children color the flowers on Jesus’ tomb.

• I see Your Bridal Chamber adorned, O my Saviour, and I have no wedding garment, that I may Prayer: enter therein; O Giver of Light, make radiant the vesture of my soul, and save me. – Holy Monday & Holy Tuesday Evening (The Exaposteilarion) – • The noble Joseph taking down from the Cross Your spotless Body, enwrapped It in clean linen with aromas, and laid It for burial in a new Tomb. - Great Friday Vespers (The Apokathelosis) – • Today is hung upon the Cross, He Who suspended the Earth amid the waters. A crown of thorns crowns Him, Who is the King of Angels. He, Who wrapped the Heavens in clouds, is clothed with the purple of mockery. He, Who freed Adam in the Jordan, received buffetings. He was transfixed with nails, Who is the Bridegroom of the Church. He was pierced with a lance, Who is the Son of the Virgin. We worship Your Passion, O Christ. Show us also your Resurrection. - Holy Thursday Evening - 020-EN-ed03