The Great and Holy Week Schedule live streamed at the Parish.
Visit the St Ann Facebook page (@StAnnWaterfordCT) or watch for the services here on the parish website.
The Bridegroom Service on Monday and Tuesday
During these first three days, we reflect on Jesus as the “Bridegroom”—the Spouse of the Bride (the Church). He is coming to lay down His life for His Bride.
Great and Holy Monday and Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
The Vespers Liturgy for Mystical Supper on Wednesday
Tonight, Wednesday, we begin contemplating Holy Thursday that continue tomorrow. For us, our prayer for the following day begins the evening before with Vespers (evening prayer). “Holy Thursday takes us into the mystery of the Passover…Three aspects of Holy Thursday are focused on here: the washing of the feet, the Lord’s supper, and Judas’s betrayal”
Great and Holy Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
The Proclamation of the Passion Gospels on Thursday
The evening service we begin on contemplation of what will happen tomorrow, the day on which we commemorate the death of the Lord. The Church begins her prayer in vigil for the following day. As the scholar of the Church’s liturgical life, Fr. Alkiviades Calivas wrote: “In Christ, who is the New Adam, there is no sin. And, therefore, there is no death. He accepted death because He assumed the who tragedy of our life. He chose to pour His life into death, in order to destroy it; and in order to break the hold of evil. His death is the final and ultimate revelation of His perfect obedience and love.” Join us for the service of proclaiming the 6 Gospel narratives of the Lord’s Life-Giving Passion.
Great and Holy Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
The Epitaphios Service: Lamentations and Praises at the Tomb of Christ
“On Holy Thursday we followed Jesus to the upper room. Today, Holy Friday, we follow him up to Golgotha.” The Epitaphios Service tonight is really the morning prayer for Holy Saturday. It is centered around the tomb of Christ and celebrating what He is doing in the underworld: He is busy destroying death.
Great and Holy Friday at 6:30 p.m.
The Hajme — Holy Saturday Paschal Vigil
“…the Church directs and concentrates our attention on our Lord’s tomb…this day shares both in the sorrow of the Passion and in the joy of the Resurrection…”
We have arrived at the goal of the Great Fast: the “Feast of Feasts” Great and Holy Pascha (Easter). Our Lenten fast is a preparation for receiving the Lord of Life, the Risen Lord from the dead. Easter is the climax of all that we have persevered in doing through prayer, fasting and almsgiving in Great Lent and Holy Week. Our Liturgy includes the lamentations, Matins (morning prayer and the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. Join us for prayer on the parish Facebook (@StAnnWaterfordCT) OR the parish website (stannmelkitechurch.org).
Great and Holy Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Holy Pascha
The Lord conquers death by His death on the Cross and His Resurrection
Divine Liturgy of the Holy Resurrection at 10:00 a.m.
****You will find the various texts of these services in the document “Great and Holy Week in the Domestic Church, for Melkites” in the Resource sections for each of the Holy Days.