Holy Week and The Feast of Feasts Served at St. Michael's - 05/05/24

St. Michael's Orthodox Church in Old Forge, PA, was blessed with a prayerful cycle of services during Holy Week. The services were led by Priest Michael Shepherd, Rector of St. Michael's Parish.

During the first three days of Holy Week, joint Presanctified Liturgies were held at St. Michael's Church in Jermyn, PA on Monday, at All Saints Church in Olyphant, PA on Holy Tuesday, and at St. Michael's Church in Old Forge, PA on Holy Wednesday. Bridegroom Matins was served in the evenings of the first three days of Holy Week.

On Holy Friday at St. Michael's in Old Forge, PA, Royal Hours and Typika were served in the morning, Burial Vespers with the Procession of the shroud at 3 pm, and at 7 pm Matins of Great & Holy Friday.

On Holy Saturday, Priest Michael Shepherd and the faithful of St. Michael's Church received the newly-illumined servants of God, Jason, Santo, and Mikayla, into the Holy Orthodox Faith.

On Great and Holy Pascha, The faithful greeted the Feast of the Lord's Pascha with joy, partaking of the Holy Mysteries as a family in Christ and gathering following the Liturgy for the blessing of paschal baskets in the parish hall. Priest Benjamin Garcia, a third-year student at St. Tikhon's Theological Seminary, concelebrated the Paschal Vigil with Priest Michael Shepherd.

On Bright Monday the Divine Liturgy was served a procession around the church outside and the Gospel was read at each side. After liturgy, fellowship was held at a local restaurant. Glory to God for all things!

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

"Christ is Risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!"