In case you just tuned in, this is Holy Week; it began last Sunday, Palm Sunday, and ends this coming Sunday, Easter. This year the Eastern Orthodox Church recognises Easter on April 24. Throughout Holy Week Christian churches observe a variety of worship services, spiritual pilgrimages, or vigils. The most prominent, between the two Sundays are Maundy Thursday; Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum, which means Commandment. Jesus gave the commandment, “Love one another as I have loved you!” Good Friday; the day of Jesus’ crucifixion. Holy Saturday, (often called Easter Vigil); and Easter Sunrise Service, concluding the week with a high and holy worship service on Easter Sunday. (Easter Egg hunts are thrown in the mix to thrill the children)
Tradition has it that the earliest use of the term Holy Week was by St. Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria, and St. Epiphanius of Constantia in the 4th century. Over time, Holy Week observances varied. Palm Sunday, Holy Tuesday , in the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches refers to the moveable feast, starting with Palm Sunday; the tenebrae service on Holy Wednesday; Maundy Thursday, the occasion of The Last Supper; Good Friday Vigil; The week ends with magnificent worship services. A more recent times, added to Easter celebration is “The Flowering of the Cross:” Usually, it is a large cross on the front lawn of the church. As worshipers arrive, they tuck fresh blossoms into holes or mesh netting on the cross. In full Flower, it serves as the ultimate symbol of new life found in Christ Jesus.
Celebrations of Holy Week vary, according to the homeland traditions of the community. Catholic congregations tend to hold more closely to services all week, while Protestant congregations tend to vary widely in their celebrations—some only observe Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. Easter Egg Hunts, which have almost nothing to do with the liturgy of the week, have crossed all kinds of traditions. In case you are wondering why the date for Easter changes (un like Christmas, which is always December 25), it is set by celestial precision; here it is—- Easter is always the first Sunday after the full Moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox.
All kinds of hardening of the attitudes tend to mull around in recognition of Holy Week. Generally, the points on which most Christians agree and/or observe, are these: Jesus entered Jerusalem with great fanfare. He held his Last Supper with his disciples, He was crucified, and died on the cross. On the third day he arose from the grave, and is in heaven, the “right hand” of God. The Gospel of John offers the essence of Holy Week.
In a measure, the observance of some type of fasting, spiritual discipline, or devotional vigil, is something of a gestation of an emerging cleansed soul; Spring cleaning comes to mind. As does the chrysalis developing and emerging as a beautiful butterfly. The greening and blossoming of Spring is the crown of the season. It is as if the whole world is new, in all its freshness. Hope is born again.