Saturday, April 12 Blessing of Palms & Willow Branches
Myrovania – Anointing of Holy Oil
4:00 PM Anna Dempsey – Pauline Parada & Joseph Husty
Sunday, April 13 PALM SUNDAY – Blessing of Palms & Willow Branches Myrovania – Anointing of Holy Oil
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners
Wednesday, April 16 HOLY WEDNESDAY
9:30 AM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. Confessions.
Thursday, April 17 HOLY THURSDAY
4:00 PM Matins of the Passion of Our Lord
Reading of the 12 Passion Gospels
Friday, April18 GOOD FRIDAY
3:00 PM Vespers – Procession – Entombment of Jesus Christ
Saturday, April 19 HOLY SATURDAY
1:00 PM Blessing of Easter Food Baskets
7:00 PM Resurrection Matins / Procession /
Easter Divine Liturgy Blessing of Artos
Myrovania – Anointing of Holy Oil
Transfiguration of Our Lord, Nanticoke, PA
Holy Thursday – 6:00 PM – Good Friday – 5:30PM
Saturday Blessing of Food 3:00 PM
Easter Sunday – 7:30 AM – Resurrection Matins, Procession Divine Liturgy
Palm Sunday – the popular name of one of the major festivals of Christians –Entry into Jerusalem.
This celebration falls on the last Sunday of Lent.
The holiday is dedicated to the day when Jesus rode into Jerusalem. People happily greeted Jesus with songs and flowers, as well as the stele under his feet, his clothes and palm branches – the plants, symbolizing purity and infallibility. Catholics called this holiday – Palm Sunday. But a palm tree in our latitudes is not growing, so in our Ukrainian tradition, it was replaced by willow branches, which blooms after the first onset of winter and symbolizes the beginning of a new life. A festival called Palm Sunday.
Willow twigs prepare better for the holiday in advance. It happens that the early Easter, and spring – cold, and then the willow does not have time to blossom before the holiday. In this case, for 4-5 days cut the branches and put them in water in the room. If the weather is favorable and bloom buds, twigs cut the day before.
Religious people on Palm Sunday go to the church services. After the service blessing and sanctifying of Palm branches are observed.
Sanctified branches are taken home. The first thing to slap the beam of children and other household members, saying, “Verba-whipping, beat to tears. I did not beat, willow beats! Be healthy, like water, strong as willow, as rich as the earth!” Why is the willow as a symbol of strength and health? Because it is one of the most tenacious plants. Observed that accepted and grow even those of its branches, which are stuck into the ground upside down.
A few sprigs of willow can be put into the water, and when they take root, planted near the house, but on another day. If twigs take root, a plant grown will protect family home from adversity.
The rest of the beam should be kept for the images. Buds and twigs of willow svyachenoy people attributed magical and medicinal properties. Willow twigs thrown into the water for bathing small or ill children. Twigs also were applied to the sore spots. During a disaster, willow twig thrown into the street to misery spared the home side. But there is a warning –you do not need to bother wasting willow, use of these tools can be used only when necessary.
Remaining from last year’s holiday twigs should be burned or thrown into the current (not standing!) Water.
It is believed that indoor plants, planted on Palm Sunday, grow well and bring to the house wealth.
Palm Sunday falls on Lent, so tumultuous festivities suit is not necessary, but that day, a harbinger of Easter should be bright and cheery.
Finally, my brothers, your thoughts should be wholly directed to all that is true, all that deserves respect, all that is honest, pure, admirable, decent, virtuous, or worthy of praise. Live according to what you have learned and accepted what you have heard me say and seen me do. Then will the God of peace be with you.
SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn this week April 12 – 19 in memory of William Kloap by his wife Florence Kloap & Family.
HOLY WEEK – Please remember that help is needed to participate in the Holy Week services. Holy Thursday, 4:00 PM, Good Friday, 3:00 PM and Resurrection Services Holy Saturday, 7:00 PM. Help will be needed to set up the grave after the Holy Thursday evening services. Try to lend a helping hand. Sign up sheet is in the vestibule for Adoration. Time to spend with God. Give an hour of your time for HIM.
APPRECIATION: We thank all who brought the Willow branches and all who helped tie the Palm & Branches Your help is always appreciative. God’s blessing to all.
SVIACHENE: Our Parish Sviachene (Easter Dinner) is
planned for Sunday, May 18, 2014 in our Church Hall at
2:00 PM. Tickets are available.
Get your tickets early so plans can be made for the affair.
The tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children under 12.
This is a very nice affair to have our Parish get together.
Plan on attending and bring your friends and family.
SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church 