During Holy Week, the Church embodies the entire Passion of Christ. Just as the early Christians did in Jerusalem, we gather within the church building to reenact and pray through the events of that sacred week. These early Christians would visit and pray at each site where the events had originally taken place.
Recognising the profound significance of Holy Pascha Week, the early Church dedicated this time entirely to the Lord, engaging in intense ascetic practices such as fasting, prayer, metanias, and vigil. Adhering strictly to a diet of bread and salt, they abstained from all cooked foods and desserts, believing it improper to taste anything sweet while commemorating the Lord’s suffering. To minimise distractions, they avoided cooking, with many fasting completely from Good Friday until the Easter service, spending their entire week in the church.
Emperor Theodosius, a devout Christian ruler, declared a universal holiday during Holy Week, enabling everyone, whether in government or private sectors, to come together in prayer and devotion. Even prisoners were released to participate in the Church’s ceremonial prayers.
Our Church meticulously schedules prayers and readings to mirror the sequence of events leading to the crucifixion. The hymns, sermons, and meditations are so detailed and enlightening that catechumens can learn the entire story of Christ’s passion in just this one week.
