April 16, 2003

NEW YORK - Easter will be celebrated this year on April 27 by over 300 million Orthodox Christians throughout the world. This great feast of the Church, known as Holy Pascha, celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead following His Crucifixion and Burial.

Reflecting on the significance of this celebration His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, stated "On this solemn and holy day each one of us will hold a candle and receive the Paschal light. So too must we all, each one of us, receive the reality which the light symbolizes. Our faith in the Risen Christ is a faith that burns like an unquenchable flame in the Christian soul. This is the light that overcomes the darkness of sin and strife and sorrow in the face of death. Let us therefore hear and accept for ourselves the divine invitation of this most holy day: 'Come receive the light from the unwaning light, and glorify Christ who has risen from the dead.'"

Archbishop Demetrios will officiate at Holy Week services in Greek Orthodox parishes in the metropolitan area including: Palm Sunday Liturgy at Holy Trinity, Bridgeport, CT; St. Demetrios, Jamaica, Bridegroom Service, Sunday evening; Annunciation, NYC, Bridegroom Service, Monday evening; Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church, Brooklyn, Bridegroom Service, Tuesday evening; St. Demetrios Cathedral, Astoria, Unction Service, Wednesday evening; Holy Passion, Thursday evening, St. Nicholas, Flushing; and Good Friday Lamentations and Resurrection services Saturday at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity (319 East 74th St. New York City). Good Friday services will begin at 8:00 p.m. and Resurrection Services Saturday evening at 11:00 p.m.

SERVICES OF HOLY WEEK

The centuries-old religious services which recall the Passion, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ are conducted each morning and evening throughout Holy Week in Orthodox Christian Churches of over 6 million faithful in the Americas including, Greek, Russian, Romanian, Antiochian, Bulgarian, Carpatho-Russian, Albanian, Serbian and Ukrainian parishes.

On PALM SUNDAY during the Divine Liturgy, palms are blessed and distributed to the faithful commemorating Christ's entrance into Jerusalem.

On PALM SUNDAY EVENING, as well as on the evenings of Holy Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, the faithful gather for the Nymphios or Bridegroom Services that include readings, hymns, and commemorations that anticipate the Passion of Christ.

On HOLY WEDNESDAY, the faithful are anointed with the Sacrament of Holy Unction, blessed oil, which cleanses, renews and strengthens both spiritually and physically.

On HOLY THURSDAY MORNING, a Divine Liturgy is held and communion given in commemoration of the institution of the Eucharist by Christ.

On HOLY THURSDAY EVENING, the Service of Holy Passion takes place, during which the Twelve Lessons of the Gospel are read. After the Fifth Gospel a solemn litany begins. A large crucifix is carried in a procession led by the clergy as the mournful hymn of Crucifixion is sung.

On GOOD FRIDAY AFTERNOON, the Vespers of the Descent from the Cross are offered. The Body of Christ is taken down from the Cross, wrapped in white linen and is prepared for burial.

On GOOD FRIDAY EVENING, the Lamentations are sung during the Epitaphios Service, which symbolizes the burial of Christ.

On HOLY SATURDAY EVENING, the Easter Resurrection Service begins with Matins at 11 p.m. At midnight, the Church is completely darkened and the faithful wait in joyous expectation for the Bishop or priest to come forth carrying a white candle, chanting, Come, Receive the Light, the Light of the Resurrection. The light is passed to the congregation until the Church is aglow with candlelight. A procession of altar boys, choir, chanters and clergy joined by the people move outdoors where the Gospel proclaiming the Resurrection of Christ is read. The triumphant hymn, Christos Anesti, Christ is Risen is joyfully sung by the faithful. At the conclusion of the Resurrection Liturgy, red Easter eggs are distributed to the congregation, which symbolize the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

On EASTER SUNDAY, the Vespers of AGAPE (Love) is celebrated during which the Holy Gospel narrating the appearance of the Risen Lord to His disciples is read in several languages emphasizing the universality of the Gospel message.

The Orthodox date for Easter is based on a decree of the First Ecumenical Council of the undivided Church at Nicaea, Asia Minor, held in 325 A.D. under Emperor Constantine the Great. According to this decree, the determination of the date of Easter is governed by a computation based on the vernal equinox and the phase of the moon. Therefore, Easter Sunday should fall on the Sunday, which follows the first full moon after the vernal equinox, according to the Julian Calendar, which was in use at that time. If the full moon happens to fall on a Sunday, Easter is observed the following Sunday.

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America