Soon, we will be proclaiming the joyous news of Christ’s resurrection from the dead!  We will sing the glorious hymn “Christ is Risen from the Dead, by death, trampling down death, and to those within the tombs bestowing life!”

This Good News is the essence of our Christian hope.   It is a time of joyous celebration as we received new birth, new creation, spiritual regeneration  through Christ who has brought life out of death.   Are you ready? Are you willing?

Too often, we can simply “go through” another Pascha without fully experiencing its joy and power.  Each of us are invited to actively participate in the life of the church, its sacraments, its worship, its feasts and services.  Holy Week is a journey like no other.  We need to carve time out of our busy schedules to stop and experience this amazing opportunity to grow spiritually.  Will you join others at Holy Apostles on this Holy Week journey?  Are you ready and willing?

During the fi rst days of Holy Week we embrace the theme of vigilance - symbolized by the parable of the ten virgins, some of whom were caught unprepared for the bridegroom to arrive. The parable reminds us of the need to always to be ready to meet our Lord. Are you ready and willing?

On Tuesday night, the theme is repentance, as illustrated by the story of the sinful woman. “She who was engulfed in sin, found  You, the heaven of salvation.  And She poured out the myrrh with her tears ... '' We must open our hearts to repentance as reflected in the beautiful hymn of Kassiani. Do we recognize that we are in need of our Lord? of forgiveness? of new life in Christ?  Are you ready and willing?

On Wednesday, the church offers the sacrament of Holy Unction, a practice found in the Bible.  St. James 5:14 says, “if any of you are sick, call the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, ‘anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” You are anointed with blessed oil, representing the healing power of God. The scriptures connect bodily illness to sin. Christ confirms  this bond when He says to the paralytic as he is healed: “your sins are forgiven”We recognize Christ’s power to forgive and His power to heal are two different aspects of the same ministry. The drama of our

Lord’s passion continues to unfold as the week continues. On Thursday, our Lord’s passion will be reenacted.  The Twelve gos

pels are read, and beautiful hymns will be sung, describing the journey leading up to His crucifixion. The purpose of this longer service is to discover Christ's suffering, to help us feel that we are indeed present at His passion. The meaning of the words, the sound of the chanting, the depiction of the crucifixion, bring mind, body and soul together in the glory of the sacrifi ce.   We are invited to remember all that Christ endured for our sake.  Are you ready and willing?

On Friday afternoon we witness the service of the Apokathilosis, the taking down from the cross of the body of Christ: wrapped in a white linen shroud.  Christ is taken down from the cross. Then the beauti- ful embroidered ceremonial cloth, called the Epitaphios, bearing the depiction of Christ, is brought out in solemn procession and placed to rest on the Kouvouklion, symbolizing Jesus’ tomb.

Each one of us, have the opportunity to personally experience Christ's death and funeral service, as we will experience in days ahead His glorious resurrection.  Singing the lamentation hymns we encounter the intense grief and hope recognizing what is to come - a new beginning, great joy, restoration, renewal for all mankind.  Are you ready and willing?

Following the lamentations, the procession of the Epitaphios begins.  Imagine, all the churches throughout the world, who carry around the tomb of Christ in solemn procession around their church or through-out the city!  Experiencing the sorrow, the sacrifi ce, the anguish yet knowing what is to come.  Are you ready and willing?

The joyous good news that Christ has descended into Hades and restored life reaches each of us on Saturday morning, during the celebration of St. Basil's liturgy as the scattering of bay leaves and rose pedals symbolize victory over death.  Are you ready? Are you willing?

During the midnight resurrection service, the church is darkened, symbolic of the darkness of the tomb. Carrying a white candle from the vigil light on the holy altar, we light candles and proclaim: “Come receive the light, from the Light, that is never over taken by night.  And glorify Him who is risen from the dead!” The church slowly fi lls with the flickering light of hope that has become reality.  Are you ready?  Are you willing?

You have an opportunity to experience it all.  Are you ready?  Are you willing?  You can make it happen.  Let us embrace the treasured readings and hymns during Holy Week and Pascha and allow Christ to transform us.  It only comes but once a year.  Are you ready?  Are you willing?

Blessings to al of you during this Joyous season,

+fr. tom