During the month of April, we will continue to offer Stations of the Cross and Litany of the Cross as a Lenten devotion on Fridays at 6:30PM. We will also continue our collection of baby items for the Orthodox Christians for Life National Baby Shower which will be donated to the Shady Grove Pregnancy Center. Offerings for the Archdiocesan Food for Hungry People program provide another opportunity for alms-giving during this season.
Holy Week at St. Gregory’s
Palm Sunday, April 28 – The service begins outside with the blessing and distribution of palms, the reading of the Palm Gospel, and a procession around the grounds of the church singing the hymns “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” and Christus vincit. At the Mass, the Passion Gospel according to St. Matthew will be sung in dialogue form.
Holy Monday, April 29 – The Passion Gospel according to Mark will be sung.
Holy Tuesday, April 30 – The Passion Gospel according to Luke will be sung.
Holy Wednesday, May 1 – We will celebrate the unction service at which the oils of catechumens and the sick will be blessed.
Maundy Thursday, May 2 – This service commemorates our Lord’s institution of the Eucharist and will include the ceremony of the foot-washing, the procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose, and the stripping of the Altar. After a silent Lenten meal, the service of Tenebrae will be offered. All are welcome to remain for a time to meditate before the Sacrament.
Good Friday, May 3 – Beginning at noon, this service includes the singing of the Passion Gospel according to John, the Solemn Collects, the veneration the cross (during the singing of the Reproaches), and the Mass of the Presanctified.
The Paschal Vigil, Saturday, May 4 – We begin this service outside with the lighting of the Paschal fire, the singing of the Exultet, the readings which recount the story of our salvation, the blessing of water, the the Litany of Saints and, finally, the announcement of the Resurrection and the first Mass of Easter. A paschal meal will follow.
Pascha: Easter Sunday, May 5 – Mass will be at 11AM, followed by brunch.
Read the full April newsletter here.