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Holy Week is a week-long series of services that honor Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the Cross and his resurrection. We call this the Paschal Mystery, that through his death and resurrection, evil was destroyed and creation set free. Holy Week is the most important, most sacred time of the year for Christians.
The Schedule of Holy Week liturgies
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The heart of the Christian mystery is this:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. We celebrate Christ's mighty acts of salvation in this Holy Week. Come to all the services that you can. If you cannot come to all, then make a special effort to attend the evening of Good Friday, and the Great Vigil. Learn about the Holy Week services below. |
Palm Sunday
The title of this day is technically The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday. In one worship service, we really remember two events. The first is the entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem, when people cheered and rejoiced. The second is the Crucifixion of Our Lord at the end of that week. It's a painful time, taking us from high to low, from "Hosanna" to "crucify him". The liturgy begins with a blessing of palm branches, which the faithful can take home with them and put in a place of honor in their homes. The Passion Gospel is read, which is the first time this week we hear the story of Christ's betrayal and crucifixion.
Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday marks the solemn beginning of the Triduum—the three sacred days leading to Easter. On this night, we remember the final evening our Lord Jesus Christ spent with His disciples before His Passion. In the upper room, gathered around a simple meal, Christ took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, given for you.” He took the cup, gave thanks, and shared it, saying, “This is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for many.”
In this holy act, Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Holy Communion—a gift of grace, presence, and remembrance that continues to nourish the Church. It is the night when love was embodied in bread and wine. The name “Maundy” comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning “commandment,” recalling Christ’s words: “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
Maundy Thursday invites us into the mystery of communion—not only with Christ, but with one another. It is a night of tenderness and trembling, of sacred memory and living promise.
In this holy act, Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Holy Communion—a gift of grace, presence, and remembrance that continues to nourish the Church. It is the night when love was embodied in bread and wine. The name “Maundy” comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning “commandment,” recalling Christ’s words: “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
Maundy Thursday invites us into the mystery of communion—not only with Christ, but with one another. It is a night of tenderness and trembling, of sacred memory and living promise.
Good Friday
Good Friday is called “good” not out of misplaced cheer, but because on this day our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified—and through His willing death the power of death itself was broken, making way for resurrection and new life. On this solemn day we gather in choral worship, read the Stations of the Cross and offer solemn prayers, entrusting the whole world to God’s merciful care and blessing.
The Paschal Tiduum
The Paschal Triduum is an odd phrase. It is the "three days" (triduum) of the Pascha, which is the old Greek name for Easter. The Paschal Triduum is the term we use for the complex of liturgies that begin on Thursday evening and go until Sunday:
But, hang on, Thursday to Sunday is 4 days! Right you are. But in the old Jewish way of imagining the day, the new day begins at sundown. That means that the Maundy Thursday evening service (which never begins before sundown) is really the beginning of Friday.
- Maundy Thursday
- Good Friday
- Holy Saturday
- The Great Vigil
- Sunday of the Resurrection
But, hang on, Thursday to Sunday is 4 days! Right you are. But in the old Jewish way of imagining the day, the new day begins at sundown. That means that the Maundy Thursday evening service (which never begins before sundown) is really the beginning of Friday.
The Great Vigil of the Resurrection
The Great Vigil of the Resurrection is the Church’s first celebration of Easter. It unites scripture, sacrament, and song to renew our identity as Easter people.
1. Service of Light
We gather in darkness to kindle a new fire, symbolizing Christ’s rising light. From this fire the Paschal Candle is lit, and its flame carried into the darkened nave in procession. As each candle is kindled, we proclaim “The Light of Christ,” until the church glows with resurrection hope.
2. Liturgy of the Word
A series of readings traces salvation history—from Creation to the Resurrection. Between readings, we sing psalms and canticles, hearing God’s promise unfold across the ages. The final reading—the Easter Gospel—shatters the silence with the triumphant cry, “Alleluia! Christ is risen!”
3. Baptismal Liturgy
It is traditional to have baptisms on Easter where water is blessed and the font is renewed, recalling our own baptism into Christ’s death and resurrection. Candidates are baptized and confirmed, and the whole assembly renews baptismal vows. We rejoice in the gift of new life and the Holy Spirit’s power at work among us.
4. Holy Eucharist
With bells and triumphant song, the Crucified and Risen Lord is made present in the bread and wine. Christ’s body broken and blood poured out become our feast of salvation. We leave in glory, sent forth to live as Easter people in the world.
1. Service of Light
We gather in darkness to kindle a new fire, symbolizing Christ’s rising light. From this fire the Paschal Candle is lit, and its flame carried into the darkened nave in procession. As each candle is kindled, we proclaim “The Light of Christ,” until the church glows with resurrection hope.
2. Liturgy of the Word
A series of readings traces salvation history—from Creation to the Resurrection. Between readings, we sing psalms and canticles, hearing God’s promise unfold across the ages. The final reading—the Easter Gospel—shatters the silence with the triumphant cry, “Alleluia! Christ is risen!”
3. Baptismal Liturgy
It is traditional to have baptisms on Easter where water is blessed and the font is renewed, recalling our own baptism into Christ’s death and resurrection. Candidates are baptized and confirmed, and the whole assembly renews baptismal vows. We rejoice in the gift of new life and the Holy Spirit’s power at work among us.
4. Holy Eucharist
With bells and triumphant song, the Crucified and Risen Lord is made present in the bread and wine. Christ’s body broken and blood poured out become our feast of salvation. We leave in glory, sent forth to live as Easter people in the world.