Since the earliest days of the Church, the faithful gathered together on Sundays to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection and to share in the Eucharistic meal. Almost immediately special emphasis was given to that Sunday which followed the Jewish Passover, as it was closest to the actual date of Christ’s Resurrection. This Sunday, which soon became known as Pascha (Greek for Passover) since it commemorated the Lord’s Passover from death to life, has been celebrated with great festivity by the Church to this day. This year, Pascha is celebrated on Sunday, April 24, after a forty day period of preparation which culminates with the liturgical celebrations of Holy Week.

From Palm Sunday, April 17 to Pascha (Easter), April 24, in the daily services, the faithful recall the events that followed the triumphant entrance of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. On Thursday morning, April 21, the faithful will be transported liturgically to the Upper Chamber of the Last Supper. On that evening, they will meditate on Jesus’ last discourse with His disciples, the betrayal, the trial, the crucifixion and death. On Friday, they will liturgically participate in the burial of Jesus Christ. At midnight Saturday night, April 23, the Resurrection Matins and Divine Liturgy (Eucharist) will be preceded by a procession announcing the joyous news of the empty tomb and the first encounters with the Resurrected Savior. The Resurrection Vespers will be celebrated at noon on Sunday, April 24.

Holy Week and Pascha (Easter) Schedule at Christ the Savior Orthodox Church, 30838 Vines Creek Road (Route 26), Dagsboro, Delaware:

• Holy Unction (Healing Service) at 7 p.m.
  

• The Last Supper at 9 a.m.
• The Passion at 7 p.m.

• The Burial at 3 p.m.
• The Praises at 7 p.m.
  

• Divine Liturgy at 9 a.m.
• Resurrection Service begins at 11:30 p.m.

• Paschal Vespers at 12 noon.