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, May5, after a forty day period of preparation which culminates with the liturgical celebrations of Holy Week.

From Palm Sunday, April 28 to Pascha (Easter), May 5, in the daily services, the faithful recall the events that followed the triumphant entrance of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. On Thursday morning, May 2, 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, May 3, they will liturgically participate in the burial of Jesus Christ. At midnight Saturday night, May 4, 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, May 5.

Holy Week and Pascha (Easter) Schedule at Christ the Savior Orthodox Church, 10315 Carey Road, Berlin, MD 21811:

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

• The Vesperal Liturgy (Last Supper) at 9 a.m.
• The Matins of the 12 Gospels (Passion) at 7 p.m.

• The Vespers (Burial) at 3 p.m.
• The Matins (Praises) at 7 p.m.

• Vesperal Liturgy at 9 a.m.
• Nocturns, Matins, Divine Liturgy (Midnight/Resurrectional Service), 11:30 p.m.
• Festal Paschal Meal

• Paschal Vespers at 12 noon.

• Divine Liturgy at 9 a.m.
• Great Vespers at 7 p.m.

• Akathist at 9 a.m.