LENT, HOLY WEEK
& PASCHA RESOURCES

Welcome to the 2026 Resource Guide to Lent, Holy Week, and Pascha at Holy Apostles! You’ll find all the details you need, including schedules for services and celebrations, to help you fully participate in this sacred season.

 

We hope to see you at as many services and events as you can attend. Blessed Resurrection!

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The Journey of Great Lent

Great Lent is a 40-day journey of spiritual preparation leading up to Pascha (Easter). During this time, Orthodox Christians are encouraged to:

• Fast from meat, dairy, fish, oil, and wine (with certain exceptions on weekends and feast days)

• Increase prayer by attending more services and spending time in personal prayer

• Give alms and practice charity toward those in need

• Read Scripture and spiritual writings

• Participate in Confession to reconcile with God

 

This year, Great Lent runs from February 23 through April 4 (Lazarus Saturday).

 

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday on April 5, leading us to Great and Holy Pascha on April 12 and the celebration of Christ's Resurrection.

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Confession

Fr. Tom is offering Confession Tuesday through Friday during the weeks of Lent. Please make sure to sign up as soon as possible.​

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Lenten Services

Mondays: Great Compline

• 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

• A peaceful evening service served at the beginning of each week in Great Lent. Through psalms, hymns, and prayers, we seek God's mercy and protection on our Lenten journey. 

Wednesdays: Pre-Sanctified Liturgy

• 6:30 PM to 7:45 PM

• Due to prior celebration of the Feast of the Annunciation, no Pre-Sanctified Liturgy will be offered March 25th

• The Liturgy of the Pre-sanctified Gifts is a special evening service held on Wednesdays during Great Lent. This solemn and beautiful service allows the faithful to receive Holy Communion, sustaining us in our Lenten journey. 

• A simple Lenten fellowship meal follows. Please sign up to contribute.

Fridays: Akathist to the Theotokos

• 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

• The Akathist Hymn is a profound devotional poem to the Mother of God, sung on the Fridays of Lent.

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Lazarus Saturday (April 4)

• 8:30 AM: Orthros

• 9:30 AM: Divine Liturgy

• 11:00 AM

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Palm Sunday (April 5th)

• 8:30 AM: Festal Orthros

• 9:30 AM: Festal Divine Liturgy with Palm Procession

• 6:30 PM: Bridegroom Service

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Holy Monday (April 6th)

• 6:30 PM: Bridegroom Service

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Holy Tuesday (April 7th)

• 6:30 PM: Bridegroom Service

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Holy Wednesday (April 8th)

• 6:30 PM: Service of Holy Unction

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Holy Thursday (April 9th)

• 9:30 AM: Liturgy of the Mystical Supper and Foot Washing

• 6:00 PM: Service of the Twelve Passion Gospels

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Holy Friday (April 10th)

• 9:00 AM: Royal Hours followed by Decorating of the Kouvouklion

• 3:00 PM: Taking Christ Down from the Cross

• 6:30 PM: Service of the Lamentations with Procession

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Holy Saturday (April 11th)

• 9:30 AM: Festal Divine Liturgy

• 11:30 PM: Resurrection Service & Divine Liturgy

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Great and Holy Pascha Morning (April 12)

• 12:00 AM: Resurrection Service & Divine Liturgy continue from Holy Saturday evening

• Approximately 2:00 AM: Be sure to bring your Pascha Baskets into the church to be blessed and use a cloth to cover your food items!

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Great and Holy Pascha Afternoon (April 12)

• 1:00 PM: Agape Vespers - The Gospel is read in many languages. If you can contribute by reading in a language other than English or Greek, please connect with Fr. Tom!

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​Potlucks, Activities & Feast Meals​

Lazarus Saturday (April 12)

• Lenten Potluck following Divine Liturgy

• Palm Cross making workshop

• Pascha Food Preparation: Teams will make koulourakia for the Agape Meal and spanakopita for our Pascha Celebration and Lamb Roast. Connect with Pres Pat to join a Make-Ahead Food Team!

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Palm Sunday (April 13)

• Salmon Luncheon following Divine Liturgy

• Thank you to Tom Themelis and the Parish Council for this beautiful tradition!

• Donations are welcome to cover the cost of the salmon.

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Great and Holy Pascha Morning (April 20)

• Agape Meal following the Resurrection Service at approximately 2 AM. We will break our Lenten Fast together. Remember to bring your Pascha Baskets!

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Great and Holy Pascha Afternoon (April 20)​

• 2025 Pascha Celebration! Our annual celebration lamb roast and Kid's Egg Hunt follows Agape Vespers!

  • Please sign up today! We need everyone's help to host this amazing celebration! We ask that each household sign up for at least one volunteer shift and one food contribution.

  • Feel free to bring musical instruments, yard games, lawn chairs, and friends!

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​Potlucks, Activities & Feast Meals​

Lazarus Saturday (April 12)

• Lenten Potluck following Divine Liturgy

• Palm Cross making workshop

• Pascha Food Preparation: Teams will make koulourakia for the Agape Meal and spanakopita for our Pascha Celebration and Lamb Roast. Connect with Pres Pat to join a Make-Ahead Food Team!

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Palm Sunday (April 13)

• Salmon Luncheon following Divine Liturgy

• Thank you to Tom Themelis and the Parish Council for this beautiful tradition!

• Donations are welcome to cover the cost of the salmon.

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We look forward to celebrating the joy of Christ’s Resurrection with you! May this Pascha bring blessings and renewal to all.

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Χριστός Ἀνέστη! Christ is Risen!

Ἀληθῶς Ἀνέστη! Truly, He is Risen!