March 22, 2016
Dear Friends and Family of Faith,
Today is Holy Tuesday in Holy Week. I thought I'd share some background on this Holy Week. Holy Week, commemorates various events of the final days of Christ's life. It probably developed in 4th century Jerusalem, possibly beginning with St. Cyril of Jerusalem. Christians from all over the world would take pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and the Church of Jerusalem provided rites and worship dedicated to reenacting the final events of Christ's life. The first account we have of such rites is the diary of the pilgrimage of Egeria to Jerusalem around AD 381. Gradually many of these customs and holy days spread to the wider Christian world.
This week began on Sunday with the celebration of Palm Sunday - the day we remember Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. In the Gospels, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a young donkey, and to the lavish praise of the townspeople who threw clothes, or possibly palms or small branches, in front of him as a sign of homage. This was a customary practice for people of great respect. Palm branches are widely recognized as symbols of peace and victory, hence their preferred use on Palm Sunday.
In some countries Holy Monday is marked by the Pasaba, a marathon chant of Jesus' life, passion, and death, which often lasts for days at a time. In the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches this day is when the story of the withering fig tree (Matthew 21:18-22) is read.
Holy Tuesday is observed by the reading of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13).
Holy Wednesday, also known as Spy Wednesday, commemorates Judas' agreement to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:3-5, 14-16). Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday is the day we celebrate the institution of Holy Communion and also remember Jesus' command to "love one another as I have loved you", following his washing of the disciples' feet. The altar and chancel are stripped , leaving everything bare for Good Friday. (JUST A REMINDER THAT WORSHIP ON THIS DAY IS AT 6:30PM)
Good Friday is a day when the church commemorates Jesus' crucifixion and death. On this day excerpts from the Passion Story are read. The bare altar and chancel signify a church in mourning. As the service progresses the darkness deepens, and all leave in silence. (JUST A REMINDER THAT WORSHIP THIS NIGHT IS ALSO AT 6:30pm)
Holy Saturday is the final day of Holy Week. There are various customs associated with Holy Saturday. This service starts anywhere from 8pm to midnight, and can last until 3am on Easter morning. This is where the tradition of Easter Sunrise service and Easter breakfast comes from.
Shalom,
Pastor Sandy
Dear Friends and Family of Faith,
Today is Holy Tuesday in Holy Week. I thought I'd share some background on this Holy Week. Holy Week, commemorates various events of the final days of Christ's life. It probably developed in 4th century Jerusalem, possibly beginning with St. Cyril of Jerusalem. Christians from all over the world would take pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and the Church of Jerusalem provided rites and worship dedicated to reenacting the final events of Christ's life. The first account we have of such rites is the diary of the pilgrimage of Egeria to Jerusalem around AD 381. Gradually many of these customs and holy days spread to the wider Christian world.
This week began on Sunday with the celebration of Palm Sunday - the day we remember Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. In the Gospels, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a young donkey, and to the lavish praise of the townspeople who threw clothes, or possibly palms or small branches, in front of him as a sign of homage. This was a customary practice for people of great respect. Palm branches are widely recognized as symbols of peace and victory, hence their preferred use on Palm Sunday.
In some countries Holy Monday is marked by the Pasaba, a marathon chant of Jesus' life, passion, and death, which often lasts for days at a time. In the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches this day is when the story of the withering fig tree (Matthew 21:18-22) is read.
Holy Tuesday is observed by the reading of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13).
Holy Wednesday, also known as Spy Wednesday, commemorates Judas' agreement to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:3-5, 14-16). Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday is the day we celebrate the institution of Holy Communion and also remember Jesus' command to "love one another as I have loved you", following his washing of the disciples' feet. The altar and chancel are stripped , leaving everything bare for Good Friday. (JUST A REMINDER THAT WORSHIP ON THIS DAY IS AT 6:30PM)
Good Friday is a day when the church commemorates Jesus' crucifixion and death. On this day excerpts from the Passion Story are read. The bare altar and chancel signify a church in mourning. As the service progresses the darkness deepens, and all leave in silence. (JUST A REMINDER THAT WORSHIP THIS NIGHT IS ALSO AT 6:30pm)
Holy Saturday is the final day of Holy Week. There are various customs associated with Holy Saturday. This service starts anywhere from 8pm to midnight, and can last until 3am on Easter morning. This is where the tradition of Easter Sunrise service and Easter breakfast comes from.
Shalom,
Pastor Sandy