PALM SUNDAY
APRIL 10, 2022
Saturday & Sunday, Apr. 9/10 Blessing of Palms & Willow Branches
Myrovania – Anointing with Holy Oi
Tuesday, April 12 – 4:00PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
Thursday, April 14 HOLY THURSDAY
3:00PM Matins of the Holy and Saving Passion of our Lord
Friday, April 15 Good Friday
1:00PM Vespers with the Placement of the Holy Shroud.
Saturday, April 16 HOLY SATURDAY
1:00 PM Blessing of Easter Food Baskets in parish hall
Holy Saturday, April 16 Services of Resurrection
6:00 PM Service at the Grave, Resurrection Matins, Divine Liturgy,
Blessing of Artos, Myrovania.
Blessing of Paschal Food.
Sunday, April 17 EASTER SUNDAY – EASTER DIVINE LITURGY
11:30AM Divine Liturgy-Resurrection of Our Lord
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Bright Monday, April 18 8:30 AM Divine Liturgy, Myrovania.
Bright Wednesday, April 20 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy, Myrovania.
Transfiguration of Our Lord
Holy Wednesday, April 13 6:30 PM The Presanctified Liturgy with Anointing,
Confessions.
Holy Thursday, April 14 6:30 PM Matins of the Holy and Saving Passion of our Lord.
Good Friday, April 15 5:30 PM Vespers with Placement of the Holy Shroud.
Holy Saturday, April 16
PASCHA, April 17 7:00AM Service at the Grave, Resurrection Matins, Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Artos, Myrovania
Lazarus Saturday – day before Palm Sunday
Jesus Christ wrought many miracles none was so rich as the resurrection of Lazarus.
This miracle marks the apex of Christ’s self-revelation as God. The magnitude of this miracle and the publicity attending it were the immediate cause of Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
May this great and wonderful miracle of the resurrection of Lazarus strengthen your faith in the divinity of Christ and in your own resurrection. That same Christ, who raised the four-day dead Lazarus from the dead, in His own time, will raise us also to a life of eternal happiness. He Himself assured us of this when He said: “I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in me, even though he die, shall live!”
PALM SUNDAY
The festival of the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem is among the oldest feast days in the Eastern Church.
In our liturgical books this day is called, “Sunday of the Palms”, “Flowery or Blossom Sunday”, or “Blossom-bearing Sunday”. Our people call this Sunday the “Sunday of Pussy-Willows or Willow Sunday. All these names are associated with the custom of blessing and distributing palms on that day in church. Because no palm or olive trees grow in Ukraine, we have the venerable custom of using pussy willow branches, a tree that is the first to blossom in the spring.
The spiritual meaning of Palm Sunday
The Jews wanted to see their messiah in power and glory. Accordingly, Jesus Christ, by raising Lazarus from the dead gave them clear proof of His divinity, power and glory so they welcome him in triumph into Jerusalem. When He entered Jerusalem the whole city was thrown into commotion saying: “Who is this?” But the crowds kept on saying: “This is Jesus the Savior from Nazareth of Galilee.’”
The honor given to Christ lasted for only a brief moment, for His betrayal by Judas, His rejection by the people, His condemnation by the Jewish leaders, His passion, the way of the cross and crucifixion followed in quick succession because this Jesus was not the “savior” the people wanted. These very same people who, on Sunday cried out, “Hosanna”, a few days later cry out: “Crucify Him.”
Palm Sunday teaches us the instability of worldly glory and the vanity of earthly happiness. Joy and sadness here on earth are two inseparable sisters. Therefore, if we wish one day to have a share in the triumph of Christ in heaven, we must first undergo a Passion Week and a Golgotha with Him here on earth. Only then, will we be able, like Him, to enter into everlasting triumph, joy and resurrection
THE LAST WORDS OF JESUS
THE FIRST WORD Luke 23:33-34
When they came to the place called “The Skull”, they nailed
Jesus to the cross, and the two criminals, one on His
right and one on His left. Jesus said, “Forgive them, Father!
They do not know what they are doing.”
Meditation on the First Word
“They do not know what they are doing”
They do not know? They …who killed Jesus?
Who is “they”?
It is so easy to name others, to blame others, the Romans, the crowd, Pilate, Herod, Caiaphas, they all played their part and conspired against Jesus, or simply followed orders, to maintain the peace to keep Jesus’ kingdom from infringing on theirs.
And yet where are we when Jesus’ kingdom infringes on ours?
On our peace and our order?
On our comfort, prosperity and our security?
Where are we when the victims of our peace cry for justice?
When those disenfranchised by our order call for compassion?
When the hungry and the lonely beg us to share our prosperity our security, our power?
Where are we when Christ is crucified among us?
Surely He should have raged at the sinners who nailed him to the tree. Surely He should have raged at us for the evil we do, the evil we do both knowing and unknowing.
Yet compassion is there in the first words that He utters.
He intercedes for us before the Father.
Compassion that put Him into his mother’s womb
Compassion that He offers on the cross.
Compassion that offers incredible, unbelievable grace.
Compassion that echoes through the centuries to all who participate in the killing of Christ.
Compassion that cries out from the cross:
“Father, forgive them, they do not know what they are doing”
SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn this week April 9 – 16 by Mary Ann & David Youells in memory of their daughter Christine Youells.
WOMEN’S SOCIETY: The regular monthly meeting of the Parish Women’s Society will be held Tuesday, April12th in the church hall at 6:00 PM. All members are urged to be present and new members are always welcome.
HOLY WEEK – Please remember that help is needed to participate in the Holy Week services. Holy Thursday, 3:00 PM, Good Friday, 1:00 PM and Service at the Grave Holy Saturday, 6:00 PM. Help will be needed to set up the grave after the Holy Thursday 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.
BUILDING FUND: A donation was received for the memory of Michael Kane by
Tony & Cheryl Deutsch. Your donation is greatly appreciated.
THANKS:Our thanks to those who brought the Willow branches and all who helped tie the Palm & Branches. Your help is always appreciative. God’s blessing to all.
ST. VLADIMIR RECTORY UPDATE: The rectory for Saint Vladimir in Edwardsville has been sold and the closing date is scheduled for May 9th. Saints Peter and Paul Parish is to receive a check to open a checking account for Saint Vladimir Cemetery.
SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church 