Christ the Saviour
Orthodox Christian Church

Holy Week, April 2025

The events of Holy Week enable us to follow Christ’s journey to the Cross. Our Lord conquered sin and death, and by union with Him, we experience His triumph as ours. The first of the three evening services are collectively known as Services of the Bridegroom (Matthew 25:1–13). The main emphasis of these is metanoia (transforming change of heart), and each one addresses repentance and watchfulness as a way of helping achieve this.

Participate in the services of Holy Week as you are able.

Reflect on Christ’s supreme sacrifice and His victory over sin and death.

Prepare to receive the sacraments and all God has for you.

Guide to Services

Palm Sunday, April 13, 9.30am

The week begins with Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Jerusalem joyfully receives Christ, crying, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” Flax crosses are distributed after the service as a way of reminding us to accept Jesus as our King and God and encouraging us to follow Him to the Cross.

Holy Sunday, April 13, 6.00pm

Blessed is the one prepared. Preparation is essential for the Second Coming of Christ. “Behold, the Bridegroom comes in the midst of the night; and blessed is the servant, whom He shall find vigilant.” A barren fig tree which yielded no produce is condemned and likened to those who hear God’s word but fail to bear fruit (Matthew 21:18–20). Joseph, the son of Jacob the Patriarch, is commemorated as he is often seen as a type of Christ.

Holy Monday, April 14, 6.00pm

Blessed are the watchful. The theme is a call to watchfulness and vigilance. The bridesmaids who filled their lamps in preparation to greet the Bridegroom are contrasted with those who did not (Matthew 25:1–3). As the Book of Common Prayer says, “We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is no health in us.” Faith and good works are insisted upon according to the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30).

Holy Tuesday, April 15, 6.00pm

Blessed are the faithful. Tonight contrasts a repentant woman, who anointed the head of Jesus in anticipation of His death, and faithless Judas, who betrayed him. The former acknowledged Jesus as Lord, while the latter severed himself from the Master. One was set free, while the other became a slave. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

Holy Wednesday, April 16, 6.00pm

Blessed are the healed, reconciled, and forgiven. We admit a need for the healing and forgiveness with the possibilities that come into our lives after the establishment of a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The priest anoints us with Holy Oil in recognition of our desire to be renewed and established in faith and love.

Good Friday, the Royal Hours, April 18, 9.00am

Four sets of readings that deepen our faith. This service is an aggregate of the Daily Hours and the Typica. The readings particularly demonstrate Jesus’ kenosis (self-emptying) and His true Royal Majesty. “But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God… For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:12–14)

Holy Pascha, Holy Resurrection Service and Paschal Divine Liturgy, April 19/20, 11.00pm

Christ is Risen! On Saturday night, there are two services. First is the Holy Resurrection Service. We receive candles to remind us of the Resurrection light and move outside the church to hear the good news: “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling Death by death and bestowing life to those in the tombs.” Immediately after, we begin the Paschal Divine Liturgy. During this, we hear St John Chrysostom’s message for Pascha, encouraging us to live in the peace and love we are given by Jesus Christ. Afterwards, there is a special blessing for the Paschal foods of meats, eggs, and cheese, and we join in a celebration meal of joy.

Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!