4/23/26

HOLY WEEK AND PASCHA AT ST. SERAPHIM OF SAROV CHURCH

On Sunday, April 5—the Feast of the Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem—the Rector of St. Seraphim’s Church celebrated the Divine Liturgy, having served the All-Night Vigil the evening before. He was assisted by Protodeacons Paul Wolkow and Eugene Kallaur, amidst the solemn and festive singing of the parish choir under the direction of N.M. Miro, and before a large gathering of worshippers. During the veneration of the Cross—just as during the veneration of the festal icon the previous evening—a plate collection was held, in accordance with pre-revolutionary tradition, to support the needs of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem. Glory be to God, all parishioners and worshippers opened their hearts and contributed toward the upkeep of the Mission—its monasteries, churches, and monastics—who, under extremely difficult circumstances, guard and preserve the holy shrines of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Holy Land. On that same day, the regular parish pre-Pascha fair was held with great success; organized by the Sisterhood under the leadership of E.M. Mikheeva, the fair featured the sale of a wide variety of Pascha-themed items. A portion of the proceeds from these sales was donated to the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem.

The divine services of Holy Week and the Feast of Christ’s Pascha were attended by large crowds and were celebrated with great solemnity, harmony, and a true sense of family unity and spiritual exaltation. In preparation for the Paschal celebrations, the Sisterhood beautifully adorned both the church sanctuary and the parish hall, and also organized a festive meal on the night of this radiant triumph. Protodeacon Paul Wolkow, Protodeacon Eugene Kallaur, and the altar servers—led by Subdeacon Peter Wolkow—also labored tirelessly to ensure the success of this joyous celebration for all. The choir, under the direction of N.M. Miro, sang with touching beauty and joy, filling the hearts of the worshippers with the radiant gladness of Pascha. A live stream of all divine services was broadcast on our parish website. By the start of the midnight service, such a large crowd had gathered that there was not even enough room inside for everyone. As always, the most moving and stirring moment of the Paschal service was the Procession of the Cross; at this midnight hour—in accordance with Christian tradition—all Orthodox churches become the embodiment of the Life-bearing Tomb of the Lord, wherein took place the miracle of Christ’s Radiant and Three-Day Resurrection. On this holy night, nearly all the worshippers who remained until the conclusion of the service approached the Chalice of Christ. Following the Great Paschal Vespers—on the very day of this "Feast of Feasts"—a reception was hosted by the parish rector. Paschal services were also celebrated on the second day of the festivities and on Bright Saturday.

Photos: V. Gaberman