West Michigan Orthodox ChurchesThese are upcoming Pan-Orthodox services and special parish events which all are invited to attend. Click an event for the location and more information. (For regular service schedules, please see the websites of individual churches.)
The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is a service for the distribution of Holy Communion on the weekdays of Lent. Because Lent is a season of fasting and repentance, and the regular Divine Liturgy has a joyful character not in keeping with these seasonal themes, the more somber Presanctified Liturgy is offered on weekday evenings, […]
The Akathist Hymn is a poetic masterpiece written by Saint Romanos the Melodist in the 6th century. In the Byzantine Orthodox tradition (Greek, Antiochian, Romanian), on the first four Friday evenings of Lent a portion of the Akathist is read along with the service of Small Compline. The service is also known as the "Salutations", […]
The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is a service for the distribution of Holy Communion on the weekdays of Lent. Because Lent is a season of fasting and repentance, and the regular Divine Liturgy has a joyful character not in keeping with these seasonal themes, the more somber Presanctified Liturgy is offered on weekday evenings, […]
The Akathist Hymn is a poetic masterpiece written by Saint Romanos the Melodist in the 6th century. In the Byzantine Orthodox tradition (Greek, Antiochian, Romanian), on the first four Friday evenings of Lent a portion of the Akathist is read along with the service of Small Compline. The service is also known as the "Salutations", […]
The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is a service for the distribution of Holy Communion on the weekdays of Lent. Because Lent is a season of fasting and repentance, and the regular Divine Liturgy has a joyful character not in keeping with these seasonal themes, the more somber Presanctified Liturgy is offered on weekday evenings, […]
The Akathist Hymn is a poetic masterpiece written by Saint Romanos the Melodist in the 6th century. The fifth Saturday of Lent is dedicated to this beautiful hymn that describes the incarnation of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is a service for the distribution of Holy Communion on the weekdays of Lent. Because Lent is a season of fasting and repentance, and the regular Divine Liturgy has a joyful character not in keeping with these seasonal themes, the more somber Presanctified Liturgy is offered on weekday evenings, […]
On Lazarus Saturday, eight days before Pascha, we celebrate the resurrection of Lazarus the friend of Christ. In this, the Lord gave a sign of His own Resurrection as He demonstrated His power over death.
In this, the third “Bridegroom Service,” we make remembrance of the harlot who anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive ointment, and His rebuke of the greedy Judas, who was obsessed with money. Let us imitate the woman, who poured out fountains of tears and confessed her sins to the Master; let us run from the ways […]
This sacrament, instituted in the Epistle of St. James, is celebrated during Holy Week in some Orthodox traditions to strengthen the faithful as we enter into the day of Christ’s death. The oil of mercy, which is traditionally blessed by seven priests, is given to effect healing and forgiveness of sins. Holy Unction is a […]
Known as the “12 Gospels Service” or the “Passion Service.” In what is perhaps the most intense service of Holy Week, we read the twelve Gospel accounts of Christ’s Passion and Crucifixion. Interspersed with hymns that reach a climax with the procession of the Cross, we venerate the Wood on which the Lord suffered and […]
Also known as the “Un-nailing Service.” In this most dramatic service, we commemorate the burial of Christ. The icon of the Lord is removed from the Cross, wrapped in a shroud, and symbolically entombed on the altar. The epitaphios or plaschanitsa, a special icon representing the tomb of Christ, is carried out and venerated by […]
Also known as the “Lamentations Service,” we join the Mother of God at the tomb as she weeps for her Son. Christ’s body, symbolically in the form of the epitaphios or plaschanitsa, is carried around the church in solemn procession. This is the Lord’s funeral service. Yet even in this dark hour, we see the […]
The vigil begins in darkness with the Midnight Office. The Paschal Flame is then carried out, and the light spreads among the people as we process outside the church. The Resurrection Gospel is proclaimed, and we re-enter the church and everything is full of light, like the souls of all the dead entering into heaven […]
Also known as the "First Liturgy of Pascha," in truth, this is first service of Pascha. The vesperal hymns are those of Resurrection: Hades weeps with regret, wondering how he could have taken this Man, who turned out to be God. The beautiful doxasticon hymn tells us that Christ has spent this Great Sabbath in […]
This calendar may not reflect last-minute schedule changes. Please see the website of the host parish for the most up-to-date information.