Agape Meal and Blessing of Pascha Baskets:
The main Resurrection Service this year will begin Saturday night, April 19, at 11:30 pm and end at approximately 2:30 am on Sunday morning, April 20. Immediately after the service we will enjoy the traditional Agape Paschal Meal. A sign-up sheet will be available in the hall for people to indicate what foods they will be able to bring. Donations are also welcome. We ask that everyone arrive “prior to 11:30 pm” so that everything and everyone will be in place for the start of the service, at which time all lights in the building will be turned off.
In addition, after the Midnight Service we will bless Pascha Baskets. Tables will be made available in the back of the hall on which to place the baskets. Traditionally these are filled with foods from which people have fasted during Lent, to share with others or taken home and eaten during Bright Week. For more information, please see Fr. Basil.
Bright Week and Services:
The week immediately after Pascha is an extended celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection. Although we enjoy a 40-day Paschal season (April 20 to May 29), the services of Bright Week are uniquely joyous, reflecting the specific tone and spirit of Pascha night. Divine Liturgies and Vespers celebrated during this time are very similar to those of April 20. There is, as well, no fasting during Bright Week. During Bright Week we will celebrate an additional Paschal Liturgy at St. Barbara’s on Thursday, April 24 (10:00 am). Resurrection Vespers will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 23 (7:00 pm). In addition, Orthodox Churches throughout the Metroplex will celebrate Bright Week services, as their schedules allow. We invite you to check out their websites and avail yourselves of these opportunities. Christ is Risen!
Coffee Hour Invitation:
We are very blessed at St. Barbara’s to have five dedicated teams of families and individuals who donate their time and talents to insure a delicious selection of food and drinks for Sunday Coffee Hours. If you would like to be part of such an effort, and possibly add to a sixth team, please see Matushka Christine, Fr. Basil or any member of a current team. They will pass the information along. Thank you in advance for your prayerful consideration.
Holy Week and Early Confessions:
As mentioned above, Holy Week begins on April 12, and then Pascha will be celebrated on April 20. We invite all members and friends of St. Barbara’s to set aside this special time for entering the central mysteries of our Faith. Since we will be preparing for and celebrating services each day during Holy Week, we ask that appointments for confessions be made early, so that Lenten confessions can be concluded by Palm Sunday, April 13. Thank you.