Orthodox Holy Week April 17, 2011

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Holy Trinity of East Meadow, like all Orthodox parishes, has a full schedule of services that begins on the Saturday before Palm Sunday, celebrating Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, all the way to the morning of Pascha or Easter Sunday. The whole period is special because of the many different services, Scripture readings, iconography, moving hymns, incense, and engaging rituals. They all move from the celebration of Palm Sunday, through the deep sadness of the Passion and the Crucifixion, to the triumph and joy of the Resurrection. The services at Holy Trinity have been very enlightening to me because the parish is one of the few on Long Island to conduct its services entirely in English. What is special to our parishioners, including me, is the Paschal Vigil, which begins late on Holy Saturday night. At midnight, we process outside around the church and declare "Christ is Risen" to the world. After the Divine Liturgy, in the early hours of Sunday morning, we share a festal meal together as a parish family. We finally break our Lenten fast from meat and all animal products, so everything tastes awesome. It's a very special time as everyone is filled with the Paschal light and joy. The rest of the holiday feels like we have been given a new beginning.