Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
At long last, we are here. Tomorrow begins the transition to Holy Week and Pascha. For weeks you have been seeing the Holy Week Schedule and I pray you have prepared yourselves and allocated the proper time to experience together, the most spiritually significant week of our lives. Please keep in mind a couple thoughts beyond what has been announced.
Beginning with the Orthros Service of Palm Sunday, we welcome as our guest chanter, Mr. Robert Shand. Rob is a native to Salt Lake City and grew up in the local Greek Orthodox Community. He, his wife, Jenny and their son, Charles will be welcomed additions to our Holy Week and Pascha experience. He is a graduate of our Holy Cross Seminary and an accomplished and formally trained psalti. Together with our own Spirit-filled and church musicians, I look forward to celebrating these divine services unto the glory of God, and for the inspiration of His people.
Secondly, as we begin the actual commemoration of Holy Week, with the First Bridegroom Service on the Evening of Palm Sunday, please remember that we will have His Eminence Metropolitan Constantine with us. Also visiting for the first time, Dn. Alexios Demos, the deacon to the Metropolitan and the Metropolis of Denver Director of Ministries. It would be fantastic to have as many people as possible to welcome them and to receive the blessings of His Eminence to begin our Holy Week journey together.
Thirdly, please remember to have your children participating in our annual Youth Holy Friday Retreat. All children from kindergarten to Twelfth Grade are welcome and encouraged to attend. The Retreat begins at 11:30 and ends after Vespers. Kids will be ready to be picked up at around 4:15 pm.
Fourthly, the Divine Liturgy on Holy Saturday Morning is very much thought of as a youth event of sorts. I invite all children to be with us as they joyfully ring bells and see the flower petals fly as we commemorate Christ’s descent into Hades, freeing those held captive from the time of Adam and Eve. What a celebration!
Lastly, please remember that we break bread together on the early morning of Pascha following the Paschal Divine Liturgy. A full lamb dinner (or chicken if you don’t do lamb) will be waiting for us. Break the Fast surrounded by your closest friends and family, at St. Anna’s!
God bless you and be strengthened in these salvific days. I remain,
With Much Love in Christ Who Triumphantly Arrives in Jerusalem on the Colt of a Donkey,
Fr. Anthony Savas
Protopresbyter