MARCH 13th - THE CEREMONY OF MUTUAL FORGIVENESS will

LENTEN SERVICE SCHEDULE ~ 2016

take place immediately after the Liturgy. As the very slowly and in Mondays of Lent: March 28, April 4, 18 low voice sings the theotokion and then the odes of the Paschal Canon, the Great Compline ~ 6:00 PM exchange of mutual forgiveness takes place, beginning with the clergy. The Wednesdays of Lent: March 16, 23, 30, April 6, *, 20 stands next to the analogion as the faithful venerate the of the 9th Hour/Pre-Sanctified Liturgy ~ 6:00 PM Theotokos. One by one the faithful bow before the priest, who also does the Lenten Pot-Luck in the Hall every Wednesday following the service. same before each of the faithful, each saying to one another, “Forgive me, a * April 13: Great Canon/Life of St Mary of Egypt sinner.” The response is, “God forgives.” The faithful then receive his Fridays of Lent: March 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15 and kiss his hand. The faithful also ask forgiveness from each other Akathist to the Mother of God ~ 6:00 PM in the same manner, exchanging among themselves the kiss of peace. When Saturdays of Lent: March 19, 26, April 9, 16 everyone has completed the exchange of mutual forgiveness the priest, ~ 5:00 PM (or schedule an appointment) facing the icon of Christ on the , says, Through the prayers of our Great Vespers ~ 6:00 PM holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. Sundays of Lent: March 20, 27, April 3, 10, 17 Choir: Amen. ~ 8:45 am th ~ 10:00 am THE GREAT FAST BEGINS MARCH 14 . It is traditional that a complete fast (except for necessary fluids like water, fruit juice or tea) be Friday, April 22 observed on the first three days of Pure Week; that fast is traditionally Little Compline & Canon of Lazarus ~ 6:00 PM broken with a light Lenten supper either following the Divine Liturgy of the Lazarus Saturday, April 23 Presanctified Gifts on Pure Wednesday, March 16th or continued until after Divine Liturgy ~ 9:00 am Great Vespers ~ 6:00 PM the chanting of the First Stasis of the Akathist Hymn on Pure Friday, March Palm Sunday, April 24 18th. Matins ~ 8:45 am Divine Liturgy ~ 10:00 am Followed by the Annual Fish Fry Kite Flying/Church School: Our custom of flying kites, symbolizing the lightness of the Fast, will take place on Sunday, March 20th. There will be + + NO CHURCH SCHOOL on Sunday, March 20th.

Sunday, April 24 2:00 PM Bridegroom Matins (following Fish Fry) 9:30AM Presanctified Liturgy Monday, April 25 6:00 PM Bridegroom Matins 9:30AM Presanctified Liturgy Tuesday, April 26 6:00 PM Bridegroom Matins 9:30AM Presanctified Liturgy Wednesday, April 27 6:00 PM Holy Unction Thursday, April 28 9:30 am Divine Liturgy 6:00 PM The Twelve Passion Gospels Friday, April 29 9:30 am Royal Hours 4:00 PM Un-Nailing Vespers 6:00 PM Lamentations / All Night Vigil @ Tomb Saturday, April 30 9:00 am Vesperal Divine Liturgy w/ Baptisms 10:00 PM Rush Service & Paschal Divine Liturgy Sunday, May 1 1:30 PM Agape Vespers Visit our online calendar for more information May God grant us all a spiritually profitable Fast! www.saintjosephorthodox.org/calendar.html