Reflections on Holy Week
While every Holy Week and Resurrection service is beautiful, this year was especially memorable in that it was immensely joyful to see our church filled once again to celebrate this most important event of our Orthodox faith. COVID certainly has had an impact on all of our lives but going through the pandemic has restored the blessing of having us appreciate the importance of in-person community. The words of Genesis, “It is not good for man to be alone” God communicates His desire that we, His creation, are meant to be in communion with one another in a very personal and intimate way that cannot be reproduced through technology.
However for many in our community who are unable to have this in-person communion (homebound, hospitals or nursing homes, or health-related concerns) technology, via the livestreaming of our services, provides a way to maintain this important connection. And not just to a church, but OUR church and the people that they know. During this Holy Week, Demos and I had many people tell us how grateful they are for our livestreaming as it gave their family members the opportunity to feel as though they are part of our community.
Returning to the theme of this year’s Holy Week, I could not help but be moved seeing our church bathed in the light of hundreds of candles and the deafening joyful cries of Χριστος Ανεστη (Christ is Risen!) shattering the darkness. This year was especially memorable as we heard the words of our beautiful hymns sung in Greek, English, and Arabic reminding us of the universal nature of our Orthodox Christian faith.