Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center Holy and Glorious Pascha Preparation

Holy Eucharist - Consecrated Leavened Qurban (Holy Bread)
Holy God Jesus Christ	Vespers Great and Holy Fri.	Holy Mystery	Consecration Transubstantiation	Receive Prayers	Receive Procedures	Divine Body Thurs. after 1st Sun. after Pentecost
Antidoron - Blessed Leavened Qurban (Holy Bread)
Antidoron	Divine Liturgy - Kissing the cross and receiving the Antidoron						Memorial Service (Jennaz with the "Evlogitaria of the Dead")
Leavened Qurban (Holy Bread)
Qurban Holy Bread	Holy Seal	Holy Seal Cut particles Arrangement	Prothesis (Preparation)	Prothesis Text Lamb Particle	Prothesis Text Theotokos Particle	Prothesis Text Angels Saints Particles	Prothesis Text Living Particles	Prothesis Text Dead Particles	Prothesis Text Holy Eucharist Particles
Recipes	Recipe Newton 1	Recipe Newton 2	Recipe St. Joseph Church	Recipe Traditional	Recipe Hints	Recipe Ingredients

Pascha
Cycle

Triodion

Prophon-
isimon
Sundays

Great
Lent

Palm
Sun.
Sha-
neen-
eh

Holy
and
Glor-
ious
Pascha

Feast	Event Commem- orated	Action of Event	Significance of Event	Celebrate	Apostolos	Gospel	Date	Class
Great and Holy Friday	Jesus Christ's death in human form on Holy Cross	Jesus Christ dies on Holy Cross	Holy God redeems our souls.	We have possibility of "eternal life".	1 Cor. 1:18-24	John 5:48-55	2 days before Pascha	Great Holy Fri.

All services in Great and Holy Week are moved ahead 12 hours.

The reason is probably to make the services more convenient for the people to attend.

Great and Holy Week or Pascha Cycle
Liturgical Service	of what Liturgical Day	Held on what Calendar Day	Time held
Vespers Divine Liturgy of Our Father among the Saints Basil the Great Commemorates The Mystical Supper (Last Supper) - institution of Holy Eucharist	of Great and Holy Friday	on Great and Holy Thursday	morning
Matins Service of the Twelve Gospels or Passion Gospels or Crucifixion Service	of Great and Holy Friday	on Great and Holy Thursday	evening
Royal Hours (Great Hours)	of Great and Holy Saturday	on Great and Holy Friday	early morning
Vespers Jesus' descent from the cross	of Great and Holy Saturday	on Great and Holy Friday	late morning afternoon
Matins Burial of Jesus Junnaaz al-Maseeh Epitaphios Service	of Great and Holy Saturday	on Great and Holy Friday	evening

Great and Holy Friday commemorates the death in human form by crucifixion of Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ . Crucifixion means �nailing to the cross�

The death and the resurrection of the human form of Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ opens the possiblity of "eternal life" for us after we fall asleep in the Lord. By His death, Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ redeemed our souls.

Great and Holy Friday is a day of strict fasting.

Vespers is the Divine Liturgy of Our Father among the Saints Basil the Great - Commemorates The Mystical Supper (Last Supper) and institution of Holy Eucharist of Great and Holy Friday, which is celebrated on Great and Holy Thursday morning

The Church commemorates The Mystical Supper (Last Supper), when Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ instituted the Holy Mystery of the Holy Eucharist of His Body and Blood. He changed bread and wine into His Body and Blood. Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ and His disciples shared this consecrated bread and wine.
The Divine Liturgy of Our Father among the Saints Basil the Great is celebrated in conjunction with Vespers, with special prayerful remembrance for the gift of the holy priesthood.
Prior to Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ instituting the Holy Mystery of the Holy Eucharist of His Body and Blood, He showed His humility and love by washing His apostle's feet.
The Bishop / Sayedna represents Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ and washes the feet of priests / Abouna. The only clergy who wash feet are the Bishops, who do this action in their cathderal.
Great and Holy Friday Vespers

Three doctrines of our faith were instituted at the The Mystical Supper (Last Supper).

The Holy Mystery of the Holy Eucharist
The Priesthood
The new covenant �I give you a new commandment: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.�(Jn 13:34)

Matins is the Service of the Twelve Gospels or Passion Gospels or Crucifixion Service of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ of Great and Holy Friday, which is celebrated on Great and Holy Thursday evening

The Church commemorates the passion and death of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. The full Gospel story of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ's betrayal, arrest, trial, torture, and death is solemnly read.
Great and Holy Friday Matins

Royal Hours (Great Hours) of Great and Holy Saturday, which is celebrated on Great and Holy Friday morning

Special prayers are said and special sections of the Old and New Testament are read.
All the Old Testmanet prophesies that foretold the coming, teaching, suffering, and death of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ are read.
We stand in front of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ crucified.
Great and Holy Saturday Royal Hours

Vespers is the Descent from the cross of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ's body of Great and Holy Saturday, which is celebrated on Great and Holy Friday late morning or afternoon

Vespers commemorates the taking down of the body of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ from the Cross. The Body of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ is removed from the Holy Cross.
Great and Holy Saturday Vespers

Matins is the Funeral of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ's body (Funeral of Christ / Junnaaz al-Maseeh) of Great and Holy Saturday, which is celebrated on Great and Holy Friday evening

We have the Funeral Service for the body of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. We gather around the Tomb (Epitaphion) and we sing Lamentations.
Great and Holy Saturday Matins

Pascha Cycle

Great and Holy Friday is within the Pascha Cycle. Great and Holy Friday is between Great and Holy Thursday and Great and Holy Saturday.

How to determine when Great and Holy Friday occurs

A count back from the date of Pascha is made.

Meditations

The Icon of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, A Meditation by Mary Grace Ritchey, Melkite Greek Catholic Church Eparchy of Newton

Liturgical Service on Web

Lturgical celebrations in Jersualem on Good Friday 2008 (Burial ceremony of Christ), You Tube

Greek Catholic, Melkite Al-Bushra

Good Friday from Sahamaar, Israel, April 1999, Number 1 Fr. Nadim Chacour
Good Friday from Sahamaar, Israel, April 1999, Number 2 Fr. Nadim Chacour
Holy Week and Easter Number 1
Holy Week and Easter Number 2

Images

Images of Great and Holy Friday Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Eparchy of Newton, (Our Lady of the Annunciation (Al Bisharah) in Roslindale, Massachusetts, United States)
Images of Holy Week Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Eparchy of Newton, (Our Lady of the Annunciation (Al Bisharah) in Roslindale, Massachusetts, United States)

Traditions

Traditions of Great Lent and Holy Week Melkite Greek Catholic Church Eparchy of Newton

Collection for the Melkite Church in the Holy Land

During Great and Holy Friday services, a collection is taken for the Melkite Church in the Holy Land.

Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ's Feast of Feasts and Great Feasts
Feast	Event Commem- orated	Action of Event	Significance of Event	Celebrate	Apostolos	Gospel	Date	Class
Annun- ciation of Theotokos Ever Virgin Mary	Jesus Christ's conception in human form Incar- nation.	Future Theotokos' accepting Holy God's will saying yes to Holy God.	Holy God becomes human Incar- nation.	Beginning of process of our redemption.	Heb. 2:11-18	Lk. 1:24-38	25 March	Great Feast Class 2
Nativity According to Flesh of Our Lord, God Savior, Jesus Christ	Jesus Christ's birth in human form.	Jesus Christ being born in human form.	Messiah is born.	Jesus Christ's birthday.	Gal. 4:4-7	Mt. 2:1-12	25 Dec.	Great Feast Class 1
Circum- cision of Our Lord, God Savior, Jesus Christ	Jesus Christ's Naming and Circum- cision.	Jesus Christ submitted to Mosaic Law.	Jesus Christ is named	Jesus Christ's Naming and Circum- cision.	Col. 2:8-12	Lk. 2:20-21, 40-52	1 Jan.	Feast Class 3
ºHoly Hypapanty of Our Lord, God Savior, Jesus Christ ºPurifi- cation of Theotokos	ºJesus Christ's presen- tation at Temple. ºTheotokos' purification.	Theotokos bringing Jesus Christ to Temple at prescribed time for prescribed rituals.	Messiah's first meeting with His people.	A step in process of our redemption.	Heb. 7:7-17	Lk. 2:22-40	2 Feb.	Great Feast Class 2
Holy Theophany of Our Lord, God Savior, Jesus Christ	Jesus Christ's baptism	Holy Prophet and Glorious Fore- runner John Baptist baptizing Our Lord, God Savior, Jesus Christ in River Jordan.	ºAs an adult, Jesus Christ shows His people that He is Holy God (manifestation Jesus Christ to the world). ºHoly God shows His people that Holy God is a Holy Trinity.	ºJesus Christ is Holy God. ºHoly God is a Holy Trinity	Tim. 2:11-14, 3:4-7	Mt. 3:13-17	6 Jan.	Great Feast Class 1
Transfig- uration of Our Lord, God Savior, Jesus Christ	Jesus Christ's transfig- uration	Jesus Christ showing His disciples "...as much of His glory as they could behold...".	Jesus Christ is both fully Holy God and fully man.	ºReve- lation of glory of Holy God ºConfir- mation of two natures of Jesus Christ both fully Holy God and fully human.	2 Pet. 1:10-19	Mt. 17:1-9	6 Aug.	Great Feast Class 1
Triumphal Entry of Our Lord, God Savior, Jesus Christ into Jerusalem Holy and Glorious Palm Sun. Shaneeneh	Jesus Christ's triumphal entrance into Jerusalem.	Children throwing garments into Jesus Christ's path, pulling down branches from olive and palm trees, putting them in the road, and waving them in air, shouting "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"	Jesus Christ's people hailing Him as Messiah.	Jesus Christ is Messiah.	Phil. 4:4-9	John 12:1-18	7 days before Pascha	Great Feast Class 1
Great and Holy Friday	Jesus Christ's death in human form on Holy Cross	Jesus Christ dies on Holy Cross	Holy God redeems our souls.	We have possi- bility of "eternal life".	1 Cor. 1:18-24	John 5:48-55	2 days before Pascha	Great Holy Fri.
Holy and Glorious Pascha	Jesus Christ's resurrection in human form	Jesus Christ rising from dead and giving "eternal life" to good.	ºJesus Christ is Holy God. ºOpening possi- bility of "eternal life"	ºJesus Christ's victory over death. ºWe have possi- bility of "eternal life".	Acts 1:1-9	John 1:1-17	1st Sun. after 1st full moon after 03/20 Ear- liest is 03/22 latest is 04/25.	Feasts of Feasts
Ascension into Heaven of Our Lord, God Savior, Jesus Christ	Jesus Christ's ascension in human form into heaven.	Jesus Christ going to heaven.	Jesus Christ is Holy God.	Jesus Christ's victory over death.	Acts 1:1-12	Lk. 24:36-53	40th day of Pascha	Great Feast Class 1
Exaltation of Precious and Lifegiving Holy Cross	Jesus Christ's Holy Cross is found.	ºSt Helena finding Holy Cross ºRecovering Holy Cross from Persians, returning It to Jerusalem, and raising It up (exalting).	Holy Cross is a sign of glory and victory.	Jesus Christ's victory over death.	1 Cor. 1:18-24	John 19:6-11, 13-20, 25-28a, 30-35a	14 Sept.	Great Feast Class 1

Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center
Martha Liles
Web URL address: Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center or https://www.mliles.com/melkite/
E-mail: mliles@mliles.com or mliles@mliles.com

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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center is dedicated to my cousins: Bucky (Richard C. Liles), Shirley (Shirley Jean Liles Buck), and Donna (Donna Bertha Liles Campbell). Bucky fell asleep in the Lord on Dec. 12, 2000, Shirley fell asleep in the Lord on Nov. 8, 2001, and Donna fell asleep in the Lord on March 9, 2020.
O God of all spirits and of all flesh, who have destroyed death, overcome the devil, and given life to the world: grant, O Lord, to the souls of your servants Bucky and Shirley, who has departed from this life, that it may rest in a place of light, in a place of happiness, in a place of peace, where there is no pain, no grief, no sighing. And since You are a gracious God and the Lover of Mankind, forgive him/her every sin he/she has committed by thought, or word, or deed, for there is not a man who lives and does not sin : You alone are without sin, your righteousness is everlasting, and your word is true. You are the Resurrection and the Life, and the repose of your departed servants Bucky and Shirley. O Christ our God, and we send up glory to You, together with your eternal Father and your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and always and for ages upon ages. Amen.

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