St. Athanasius Orthodox Church • Nicholasville/Lexington Kentucky

Holy Week & Pascha 2017

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13072732_10209613857001838_974152257972855339_o“This is the Day which the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!”

Just as we have completed Great Lent (see here for photos,) we now invite you to journey with us through Holy Week and to experience Pascha in our parish! We want to share with you the rich and ancient cycle of divine services for Holy Week, Pascha, and “Bright Week” (the joyous Easter week following Orthodox Pascha, or Easter.) Here is a quick calendar for Holy Week & Pascha. In addition, more details on each service’s content and length can be found in this small booklet. The complete calendar for April can be viewed in pdf format here or via google calendar here. The services for Holy Week & Pascha are as follows:

  • Fri. Apr. 7, 6:30pm End-of-Lent Vespers 
    • followed by Final Adult Confessions
  • Sat. Apr. 8, 9am Lazarus Saturday Liturgy
    • followed by Pancake Breakfast (sign-up,) Children’s Confessions, Palm Folding & Pre-Paschal Crafts
  • Sat. Apr. 8, 6:30pm Vigil for Palm Sunday (Blessing of Palms)
  • Sun. Apr. 9, 9am Baptisms & Chrismations
  • Sun. Apr. 9, 10am Festal Liturgy & Procession w/ Palms
  • Sun. Apr. 9, 5pm Bridegroom Matins at Berea College (Danforth Chapel)
    • followed by Confessions for students & seafood dinner out
  • Mon. Apr. 10, 9am Hours w/ Gospel of St. John (1-6)
  • Mon. Apr. 10, 6:30pm Bridegroom Matins
  • Tues. Apr. 11, 9am Hours w/ Gospel of St. John (7-13:32)
  • Tues. Apr. 11, 6:30pm Bridegroom Matins 
  • Wed. Apr. 12, 11am Final Presanctified Liturgy
  • Wed. Apr. 12, 6:30pm Bridegroom Matins & Holy Anointing
  • Thur. Apr. 13, 3pm Holy Thursday Liturgy of Mystical Supper
    • followed by final Soup & Salad Meal (sign-up)
  • Thur. Apr. 13, 6:30pm Matins w/ 12 Passion Gospels 
  • Fri. Apr. 14 9am Royal Hours for the Passion
    • followed by Tomb Decoration and Preparation
  • Fri. Apr. 14, 3pm Entombment Vespers (very kid-friendly)
  • Fri. Apr. 14, 6:30pm Funeral Matins (Lamentations) w/ Procession
    • followed by readings and All-Night chanting of Psalter at Tomb (sign-up)
  • Sat. Apr. 15, 9am Holy Saturday Vesperal Liturgy w/ Baptism
    • followed by Light Meal (Bread, Juice, Wine-all invited)
    • continuous reading of Acts of the Apostles 7-11:30pm (sign-up)
  • Sat. Apr. 15, 11:30pm to Sun. April 16, 2:30am ++PASCHAL MIDNIGHT SERVICE++ 
    • followed by PASCHAL AGAPE MEAL (all invited) in Hall w/ Blessing of Baskets
  • Sun. Apr. 16, 2pm (@ Highbridge Park in Wilmore) Paschal Agape Vespers
    • followed by Paschal Picnic for all with Eater Egg Hunt, Music, and more
  • Mon. Apr. 17, 9am Bright Monday Paschal Liturgy
  • Tues. Apr. 18, 9am Paschal Matins 
  • Wed. Apr. 19, 630pm Paschal Vespers
  • Thur. Apr. 20, 930am Paschal Liturgy
  • Fri. Apr. 21, 9am Paschal Matins (Life-giving Spring)
  • Fri. Apr. 21, 7pm Men’s Night at Carl’s House
  • Sat. Apr. 22, Afternoon Hike & Vespers in Berea / 630pm Readers’ Vespers at the church