April 2017 Events and Photos | St. Luke The Evangelist Orthodox Church

AGAPE VESPERS AND EGG HUNT

Sunday afternoon following Paschal Liturgy, the Agape Vespers service is celebrated. The church is bright and alive and full of children anticipating the Pascha egg hunt. The congregation gathers together to hear readings from the four Gospels in different languages proclaiming that Christ is Risen. Following this is a procession proclaiming the Risen Christ.

The Gospel in Greek.

The Gospel in English.

The Gospel in Armenian.

The Gospel in Swahili.

Fr. Paul leads the congregation on a procession around the church.

Scene from procession.

Apparently the Easter Bunny and helpers had been busy hiding eggs for the children.

Scene from egg hunt.

Enough of this looking for eggs, let’s have some candy right now. Thanks to all who set up the egg hunt for the children.

PASCHA – SATURDAY NIGHT/SUNDAY MORNING

Scene from Holy Week - Holy Saturday Liturgy.

All the preparations have been for this night. The church is ready and the faithful have spent the day in strict fast. There is a sense of anticipation in the air. The church is darkened and the music selections are somber as during all of lent.

The nocturns are sung.

To hear a small sample of The Nocturnes please click here.

The readers chant the responses.

The handmaidens guard the tomb. The light from the tomb throws shadows on the ceiling of the church.

All lights in the church are extinquished and there is a total darkness. At midnight the flame from a single candle appears at the altar. The priest brings forth the light of Christ and gives it to the rest of the faithful.

Father Paul spreads the Light to the handmaidens and from there it spreads to all the congregation.

The Handmaidens give the Light to parishoners.

“Come Receive Ihe Light”.

The entire congregation leaves the church in procession and proceeds around the church.

While they are doing this, the tomb is removed from the church, all the lights are turned on, and all candles are lit once again symbolizing Christ’s resurrection.

Scene from the procession.

Upon finishing the procession around the church, the congregation gathers at the closed front doors of the church.

Scene from the procession.

The Priest knocks on the doors three times saying: Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. And a voice asks: Who is this King of Glory? The priest answers: The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. The priest the knocks again saying: Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. And again the voice asks: Who is this King of Glory? The priest then replies: The Lord of hosts, he is the King of Glory.

“Who is this King of Glory?”

The doors of the church are opened, the tomb has been removed, the entire building is filled with light and it is now time to begin the joyous Resurrection Service. The priest reenters followed by the congregation.

The entire tone of the service is changed. The dim interior of the church is gone. The dark vestments and candle holders are also gone. The tomb and somber music are also gone. The church is as bright as possible. The vestments are bright and the singing joyous. It is the triumphal resurrection of Christ saving us from death and granting us resurrection. Christ is risen! Glorify Him. The Hymn “Christ is Risen from the Dead” is sung repeatedly with joy and power. The Cry of “Christ is risen” and the response “Indeed he is risen.” fill the air. This is proclaimed in many different languages.

OCA – Christ is Risen! / Indeed He is Risen! Greek Diocese – Christ is Risen! / Truly He is Risen! Greek – Christos Anesti! / Aleithos Anesti! Slavonic – Christos Voskrese! / Voistinu Voskrese! Arabic – Al-Masih-Qam! / Hakkan Qam! Romanian – Christos E Anviat! / Adeverat Anviat! Spanish – Christo Ha Resucitado! / Verdaderamente, Ha Resucitado! German – Christus ist Auferstanden! / Jawohl Er ist Auferstanden French – Le Christ est ressuscite! / En verite il est resuscite! Japanese – Harisutosu Siochatsu! / Makoto-ni Siochatsu

Scene from the service.

Fr. Paul reads the sermon of St. John Chrysostom welcoming all to the celebration.

Our bell ringers proclaim the Glory of the Risen Christ.

At the conclusion of the service, the parishioners venerate the Arthos and receive a red egg. All are invited to break the fast and break bread together.

Father Paul prays over the congregation and blesses the food.

Father Paul blesses the baskets laden with food.

Orthodox Christians as they are able, fast from all meat and dairy products for all of Holy Week and the preceeding forty days of Lent. After the Paschal Liturgy a pot luck dinner is served and as you can imagine, some serious eating goes on. The celebration lasts into the early hours of the morning.

SATURDAY MORNING

HOLY WEEK – HOLY SATURDAY LITURGY

Holy Saturday Liturgy celebrates Christ’s descent into hell to free Adam and Eve and all who lived and died in anticipation of the coming of Christ. Historically this service was a time for new members to be chrismated into the church.

During this Vesper service, 15 different readings from the bible are read. The readings all refer to resurrection.

Here Father Andrew reads the 15th reading concerning the Three Holy Youths and the Fiery Furnace.

The clergy and servers begin the service all dressed in their lenten colors. At the point when Christ raises out of hell, the covers are changed. The priest, deacon, and altar servers change their vestments from the somber dark colors of lent to white. The words “Let God arise,” are said. The altar cloths and candle holders are also changed at this time.

Scene from the service.

The candle holders and cloths are also changed from the lenten colors to white.

Fr. Paul in his white vestment.

The Gospel reading.

Following the Liturgy, parishioners venerate the icon of Christ and the Eucharist is extended into an agape meal consisting of wine, bread, fruit, dates, figs, and nuts.

VIGIL

Following the Lamentations on Friday night, parishioners volunteer to stand watch and “guard” the tomb of our Lord. This vigil lasts for 24 hours until the Pashcal services the following night. The church remains open during this time for visitors to come and worship before the tomb. The mood is that of a present-day wake. Bible verses are read during this time.

Journey To Pascha – We invite all to join us at St. Luke’s on our lenten journey to Pascha. If you are unable to attend in person please visit feel free to follow along and for more information on the faith and services. Each year we try to update this part of our site with new pictures so you can look ahead or follow along as we progress towards Pascha.

FRIDAY EVENING THE LAMENTATIONS

As the name suggests the service is a mournful one lamenting the death of Christ. Psalm 119 “Blessed are those who walk in the law of the Lord.” is chanted by the priest. The refrains are sung by the congregation, “O Life, how can You die?”. During the singing of the 9th ode of the Canon, the priest blesses the congregation with rose water as rose petals are scattered around the church.

Here we see some of our handmaidens standing guard at the tomb.

Father Paul blesses the congregation with Rose Water.

Scene from the service.

During the service, the shroud is removed from the tomb and four men along with the priest, choir and entire congregation make a procession around the entire exterior of the church while the “Hymn of Noble Joseph” is sung. They return to the church to hear the reading Ezekiel about the valley of the dry bones. The service ends with the veneration of the shroud and the distribution of flowers. Immediately following this service the vigil of the tomb begins and continues all the way up to Saturday morning.

Scene from the procession.

Scene from procession.

Due to the weather, the procession was held inside the church.

Parishioners pass under the burial cloth and venerate the Gospel.

Father Paul teaches about the service.

Parishioners venerate Christ in the tomb and receive flowers from the tomb.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON PROCESSION WITH THE BURIAL SHROUD

Procession with the Burial Shroud – At this service the icon of Christ is removed from the Cross as the priest reads,”And taking Him down they wrapped Him in a linen shroud.” The tomb prepared by the women stands empty in the center of the church. The shroud is carried by four men over the head of the priest who is carrying the gospel as the choir sings the “Hymn of Noble Joseph”. The procession ends as the shroud is placed in the flower-decorated tomb. While the lamentations of the Virgin Mary are sung, the faithful make a prostration before the tomb and kiss the wounds on the figure of Christ on the shroud.

A beam of light shown thru the window near where the burial shroud lay on the altar.

The beam of light in front of the altar.

Here Father Paul reads the Gospel.

Procession with the burial shroud.

Burial Shroud is placed in the tomb.

Parishioner venerates the Burial Shroud.

FRIDAY MORNING – PREPARING THE TOMB

Following the crucifiction, the myrrh bearing women prepared the tomb and Christ for burial. The women of the parish and helpers decorate the tomb of Christ with flowers.

Group Photo.

THURSDAY EVENING – THE PASSION GOSPELS

Passion Gospel Service – This is one of the most important and solemn Holy Week services. It is a remembrance and an entrance into the suffering and death of Christ.

The priest and deacons, standing in the center of the church reads the words of the apostles who witnessed the events.

Scene from Holy Week - Reading Of The Passion Gospels.

During the fifth reading, the priest processes with the Cross carried his shoulder as he chants, “He who hung the earth upon the waters is now being hung on the cross.” As Simon carried the cross for Christ during his walk to the crucifixion, the priest now carries the cross. In doing so here presents the entire congregation.

At the point of the sixth Gospel when “He yielded up the spirit” is read, the priest places a wreath of red flowers over the cross.” (This is the moment in the scripture reading when Christ died).

Following the placing of the wreath, the hymn “The Wise Thief” is sung in remembrance of the thief who was crucified with Christ and accepted Him while on the cross.

At the conclusion of the service parishioners venerate the cross.

Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil – This service relives the Lord’s Supper and betrayal by Judas. The hymn “Of Your Mystical Supper, O Son of God” is sung throughout the service. At the conclusion of the service, breakfast is served as an agape meal.

WEDNESDAY HOLY UNCTION SERVICE

Sacrament of Holy Unction – The Church is called the Body of Christ. We are members of the Body through our Baptism, Chrismation, Confession, and Holy Communion. As the sinful woman anointed Christ, we are also anointed with the oil of healing, so we can go with Christ to the Cross, suffer, die, and be resurrected with Him. Here the Gospel is read.

Father Paul prays over the Holy Oil.

During the service all who are in need of special healing gather together in the center of the church. The priest prays over them and reads the Prayer of Absolution. Epistle and Gospel lessons regarding healing are read. “The prayer of the faithful will save the sick.” (James 5:15) We prepare for this service by prayer and fasting from noon.

At the conclusion of the service, the faithful are anointed with the sacrament of Holy Unction. The priest anointes each of the faithful with the oil of healing on various parts of the body: forehead, eyes, ears, mouth, chest, palm, and the back of each hand. These areas are associated with the senses of smell, hearing, taste, and touch. The neck or chest is anointed for breath and for the heart.

TUESDAY BRIDEGROOM SERVICE

Tuesday’s Bridegroom Service with the procession of the hymn of St. Cassian describes the life and conversion of the sinful woman who anointed Christ. The congregation is blessed with rose water. The rose water is symbolic of the sweet smelling myrrh with which the sinful woman anointed Christ. The scriptures tell us that the whole room was filled with the scent of myrrh. Once again it is important to understand that this is simply not a play being reenacted, but rather we are attempting to enter the life of Christ.

The symbolic acts in the services draw us unto the life of Christ. Through these acts we venerate the individuals that these acts depict.

Tuesday’s Gospel Lesson

John 12:17-50 “The hour has come for the son to be glorified.”

HOLY WEEK

MONDAY – BRIDGEGROOM SERVICE

On Holy Monday there is a Bridegroom Service – Bridegroom Services instruct us in our faith, as does all the preparation for Holy Week. Even more they help us to make Holy Week more than simply a ritual that tells a story. The Bridegroom Services help us to enter into the story, the life of Jesus Christ, and live it.

On Monday night, the priest represents Christ and the congregation represents the bride waiting for the bridegroom. As the virgins were called to be vigilant and prepared for the coming of the bridegroom lest they be shut out of the bridal chamber; let us be likewise vigilant and prepared, lest we be shut out of the eternal kingdom. – Matthew 25: 1-13

Monday’s Gospel Lesson

Monday’s Gospel lesson is Matthew 22: 15-46 and 23: 1-30. “Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees, Hypocrites”

PALM SUNDAY

The hymn of Palm Sunday proclaims the children holding the emblems of victory singing, “Hosanna blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” We experience Christ’s triumphal entrance into Jerusalem by processing around the church holding palm and pussy willow branches as symbols of Christ’s ability to overcome death by raising Lazarus.

Even the choir loft and stands are decorated with palms and branches.

Scene from the Liturgy.

The Gospel Reading.

Fr. Paul delivers his sermon.

The Great Entrance

Michelle leads the children singing a communion song. “Out of the mouths of babes and infants, God has fashioned perfect praise.”

Father Paul blesses the palms.

At the end of Liturgy, the parishioners all received palms and branches and went outside for a procession led by the clergy around the church singing the Troparion of the day.

Scene from procession.

Greeters hand out palms and branches.

Scene from procession.

Group photo.

LAZARUS SATURDAY

On Lazarus Saturday Liturgy is held. It is on this day that we hold First Confession for those children who are of age.

Here the gospel concerning the resurrection of Lazarus is read.

Great lent officially ends on Lazarus Saturday. The Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is celebrated to commemorate the raising of Lazarus. Notice that Fr. Paul is wearing gold vestments. This change in color denotes the resurrectional nature of this service as a prelude to Holy Week. Because of it resurrectional character the hymn as many as have been baptized into Christ is sung. Historically this was a baptismal liturgy.

Following the Liturgy, Fr. Paul gave a children’s sermon explaining to them the story of Lazarus using an icon for the feast day.

Fr. Paul with our second grade class that received first confession.

ANNUNCIATION LITURGY

The Feast of the Annunciation breaks into the Lenten cycle because it is one of the 12 major feast days of the church and is part of the Nativity cycle. March 25th is nine months before Christmas. It commemorates the angel Gabriel visiting the virgin Mary and announcing to her that she was about to become pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Since it is a feast day the fasting rules are lifted slightly. For Greek Americans this is a special day because this is the day that Greece became independent from the Ottoman Turkish empire in 1821 – 1827.

The Annunciation falls during Lent, but it is always celebrated with great joy. The Liturgy of St. Basil or St. John Chrysostom is served, even on the weekdays of Lent. It is one of the two days of Great Lent on which the fast is relaxed and fish is permitted (Palm Sunday is the other).

At the end of Liturgy, parishioners venerate the cross.

GARDEN CENTER VISIT FOR APRIL

Our visit began with Fr. Andrew telling the story of Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Riding on a colt, Jesus entered the city and the crowds welcomed Him by waving palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the Highest!”

Fr. Andrew explained how Jesus was falsely accused of blasphemy, crucified under Pontius Pilate, put in a tomb, and Resurrected on the third day. Fr. Andrew held up a bottle that was empty, just as empty as Jesus grave. Jesus was raised from the dark, ascended into heaven. This made an opening for us to go to heaven.

As the lights were turned off, everyone held their candles as we prayed the Lord’s Prayer together.

Our evening ended with snacks, laughter and conversation.

AGAPE VESPERS AND EGG HUNT

PASCHA – SATURDAY NIGHT/SUNDAY MORNING

SATURDAY MORNING

HOLY WEEK – HOLY SATURDAY LITURGY

VIGIL

FRIDAY EVENING THE LAMENTATIONS

FRIDAY AFTERNOON PROCESSION WITH THE BURIAL SHROUD

FRIDAY MORNING – PREPARING THE TOMB

THURSDAY EVENING – THE PASSION GOSPELS

WEDNESDAY HOLY UNCTION SERVICE

TUESDAY BRIDEGROOM SERVICE

HOLY WEEK

MONDAY – BRIDGEGROOM SERVICE

PALM SUNDAY

LAZARUS SATURDAY

ANNUNCIATION LITURGY

GARDEN CENTER VISIT FOR APRIL

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