From Fr. Angelo
Journey through Great Lent
The services of Great Lent, Holy Week and Pascha is the most wonderful gift offered by the Orthodox Church. The atmosphere of the church, the hymns, and the perpetual fragrance of the incense permeate the entire Paschal period. Throughout Lent the royal gates to the altar area remain closed to remind us of Man’s separation through sin from the Kingdom of God and then on Holy Saturday are flung open testifying to the victory Christ brings to humanity. The purple color of the priest and altar server vestments and the candles are significant throughout Lent changing into white for Pascha. The hymns of Lent carry the themes of watchfulness and intercession, entreating God through His saints to have mercy on us sinners.
Although most Orthodox are familiar with some of the services of Holy Week, few know or understand the entire collection of services that make up the Lenten season. Every Orthodox Christian should take time out to appreciate the beauty offered by our Orthodox Church to properly and fully prepare themselves for the greatest event of Christianity – the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The premier source to educate oneself on all the services of Great Lent and Holy Week is Great Lent – Journey to Pascha by Fr. Alexander Schmemann which all Orthodox should read, however I want to take time to provide an overview of the entire schedule of services…