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Forgiveness Sunday
Vespers |
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Sunday, February
18
- 6:30
PM |
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The day prior to the
beginning of Great Lent is known as ‘Forgiveness Sunday.’ This particular
Sunday has two themes: The commemoration of Adam’s expulsion from paradise
(sin), and our restoration to the fullness of life (forgiveness). On that
evening, the Church celebrates a Vespers Service, followed by the Rite of
Forgiveness, in which we ask forgiveness of our fellow parishioners in order
that we may begin our Lenten journey reconciliation and love for one
another. |
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Services of Great
Compline and the Canon of St. Andrew |
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The first Week of
Great Lent |
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Monday February 19
, Tuesday February 20,
and Thursday February 22
, at 6:30
PM |
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This particular service
is comprised of four parts:
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Part One:
Appeal to God’s Protection
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Part Two:
Repentance and sorrow for sins committed
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Part Three: Glorification of God for His Mercy and Compassion
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Part Four:
Evening prayer before retiring for sleep
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Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts |
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Celebrated on
Wednesday(s): |
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February 21, February 28
, March 7, March 14,
March 21, and March 28,
at 6:30PM |
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The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts begins on the Sunday prior, when
during the Divine Liturgy the Eucharist is consecrated (presanctified) and
kept on the Altar. At the time of Communion during the Presanctified
Liturgy, it is offered to the faithful. This is because during Great Lent,
the Divine Liturgy may only be celebrated on Saturday and Sunday, as well as
the Feast of the Annunciation. |
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Madayah Service (Akathist
Hymn to the Virgin Mary) |
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Celebrated on Friday(s): |
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February 23, March 2, March
9,
March 16 and March 23, at 7:30PM |
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(Prior to each Madayah
Service, a Lenten Dinner will be served the Church Hall beginning at 6:00PM) |
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The
definition of the Arabic word Madayah is “the hymn dedicated to the
Virgin Mary at which we stand.” This service celebrated the first five
Friday’s of Great Lent, is rich in poetry which expresses the Virgin Mary’s
relationship with God and man. |
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| Lazarus Saturday
Divine Liturgy |
| Saturday, March 31 -
10:00AM |
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This day commemorates the
raising from the dead of Lazarus, a beloved friend of Jesus
Christ, and foretells of the death and resurrection of Christ.
Much like Palm Sunday, it is a day of joy and triumph, as Christ
shows his disciples and us that he is indeed Lord and King. |
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Read
More >>> |
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| Palm Sunday / Feast
of the Entrance of our Lord into Jerusalem |
| Sunday, April 1 - Matins at
9:30 AM, Divine Liturgy – 10:30
AM |
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Palm
Sunday is a day of joy and triumph. Jesus Christ enters Jerusalem and is
welcomed by the multitudes that cry out “Hosanna in the Highest!” lying
before Christ palm branches as a carpet of honor and victory. It is the same
multitudes that only days later will cry out for his crucifixion. It is
customary that at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy the faithful join
with the priest in procession around the church, carrying palms and candles. |
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Read
More >>> |
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| Bridegroom Matins |
| Palm Sunday Evening, April 1,
Holy Monday, Aprill 2, and Holy Tuesday, April
3 –
7:30 PM |
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From the joy and triumph of Lazarus Saturday and Palm
Sunday, the Church enters into Holy Week. The central theme of the
Bridegroom Matins is “Behold, the Bridegroom Comes,” prefiguring of
the coming of Christ. The icon of Jesus Christ with the marks of his
suffering is carried in procession, and placed in the center of the Church.
An interesting characteristic of the Bridegroom Matins, and the balance of
the services of Holy Week, is that all of the services are held in
anticipation of the coming day. |
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Read More >>> |
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| Holy Unction Service |
| Holy Wednesday, April 4 – 7:30
PM |
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Unction is one of the Seven Sacraments (Mysteries) of the Orthodox
Church. During this service, seven Epistles, Gospels and Prayers of
Annointing are read to prepare us to receive this Sacrament. At the
conclusion of the service, the Prayers of Absolution and Annointing are
offered to all. It is the duty of all Orthodox Christians to participate in
this meaningful service in preparation for the celebration of Pascha
(Easter). (Please Note: Unction will be given only
on Holy Wednesday.) |
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Read More >>> |
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| Divine Liturgy of the
Mystical Supper |
| Holy Thursday, April 5 – 9:00
AM |
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| This service commemorates the institution of Eucharist at the Last
Supper. As Orthodox Christians, we are called to partake in this sacred
mystery, inasmuch we partake in Christ. During this Divine Liturgy, the
priest prepares what is referred to a ‘The Reserve Sacrament,’ which is kept
in the Tabernacle on the Holy Altar, and taken to the sick and
shut-in throughout the year (For those who are unable due to work or
school attend the Divine Liturgy, Holy Communion from the ‘Reserve
Sacrament’ will be offered from 7:30 to 9:00 AM on Holy Thursday Morning.) |
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Read
More >>> |
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| The Service of the
Twelve Passion Gospels |
| Holy Thursday, April 5 – 7:30
PM |
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| One of the most moving
services in the Orthodox Church, this service commemorates the
suffering, crucifixion and death on the Cross of Jesus Christ.
Following the reading of the Fifth Gospel, the church is darkened,
and the procession of the Cross takes place around the church,
symbolizing Christ’s walk to Golgotha. The custom of this
procession originates in the Churches of the Antiochian
Patriarchate. |
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| Vespers of the
Descent from the Cross |
| Great and Holy Friday, April
6 - 3:00PM |
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| Held at the time the Holy Scripture gives for the death of
Jesus Christ, the Vespers of the Un-nailing commemorates the death and
removal from the Cross of Christ. The Icon of the Body of Christ is removed
from the Cross, wrapped in a linen cloth, and placed at the Altar where it
remains for until the Feast of the Ascension. The “Epitaphios” (the icon or
shroud representing the Sacred Body Christ) is taken in procession from the
Altar and placed in the flower-covered bier, which represents the Tomb of
Christ. |
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| Lamentation Service |
| Great and Holy Friday, April
6 -
7:30PM |
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At this service, the Hymns
of Lamentations are sung. This service is not so much a service of
mourning, but watchful expectation. The lamentations sung in three
melodies, mix both sorrow and joy; lamenting the death of Jesus
Christ, and anticipating His Resurrection. The Procession of the
bier is symbolic of Christ’s descent into the darkness of hades,
announcing to Adam and all those held captive by death, a message of hope
and call to share in His Resurrection and restoration to Paradise. |
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Read More >>> |
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| Vesper Liturgy of
Saint Basil the Great |
| Great and Holy Saturday, April
7 – 10:00AM |
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Also known as “The Day of the Light,” the Vesper Divine
Liturgy of Saint Basil directs us to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The
service begins in a darkened church with the Vesperal Hymns and Old
Testament Readings. At the conclusion of the Epistle Reading, the triumphal
hymn “Arise O God and Judge the Earth” is sung as the church is bathed in
light, proclaiming Christ’s victory over death. The priest scatters Bay
Leaves throughout the church, symbolic of the newness of life that comes
through the Resurrection of Christ. |
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Read More >>> |
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| Hajme, Matins and
Divine Liturgy of Pascha |
| Pascha (Easter) April 7 / 8
– 10:00PM |
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The climax of Great Lent and Holy Week is the “Feast of
Feasts” – Great and Holy Pascha (Easter). The faithful gather in the
darkened church as the Canon of the Lamentation Service is again read. At
the conclusion of the readings, the priest comes forth with a candle lit,
taken from the Eternal Light on the Altar, announcing to the congregation
“Come take the Light from the Light, which is never overcome by the night.”
The congregation comes forward to light their candles and proceed together
with the priest, choir, chanters and altar servers to the outside steps of
the church. Following the Gospel Reading, the Resurrection Troparia “Christ
is Risen” is sung, with the priest knocking and opening the doors of the
church, symbolic of Christ breaking down the gates of hades. Following the
Hajme, the Matins and Divine Liturgy of Pascha is celebrated, with the rich
and beautiful Sermon of Saint John Chrysostom read at the conclusion of
Matins. |
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Read More >>> |
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| Agape Vespers /
Beaouth Service |
| Pascha, Sunday, April 8 – 12:00
PM
(Noon) |
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This brief Vespers Service
is highlighted by the reading of the post Resurrection encounter
of Jesus Christ and the Apostle Thomas. The Gospel Lesson is
traditionally read in many languages (last year read in English,
Arabic, French, German, Spanish, Latin, Greek, Italian). The word
‘Agape’ is taken from Greek language meaning ‘Love,’ in particular
Christ’s love for mankind, which is manifested in is Life, Death,
and Resurrection |
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Read More >>> |
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| Bright
Monday Divine Liturgy |
| Ester Monday, April
9 – 12:00 PM
(Noon) |
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Each Divine Liturgy held during Easter
(Bright) Week has the same splendor and beauty of the Divine Liturgy of
Pascha. On Bright Monday, His Grace, Bishop Alexander, Together with the
Clergy and Faithful from the Antiochian Orthodox Churches of Montreal will
gather at Saint Nicholas for the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in celebration
of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ |
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