A nearly complete cycle of Holy Week services was served at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church.

To begin Holy Week several parishioners from Holy Trinity traveled to All Saints Church in Hartford where Bridegroom Matins were being served. Readers Bridegroom Matins on Monday evening and Royal Hours, later in the week on Friday morning (April 29) were served at Holy Trinity by Reader Stephen Bradford.

Holy Trinity host pastor, Rev. Marc Vranes, served the Matins of Holy Friday  (Reading of Twelve Passion Gospels), Vespers with Entombment of Our Lord on Holy Friday. Later that evening, Matins for Holy Saturday was celebrated.

Several members from Holy Trinity stood guard at our Lord’s Tomb throughout the evening on Holy Friday, then into Saturday morning. Some parishioners were in church at 6:30 in the morning on Holy Saturday for Confession. The Vesperal Liturgy of St Basil the Great was served at 8:00 in the morning on Holy Saturday.

Nocturn, Matins, and Holy Pascha Liturgy began at 9:45 Saturday evening (April 30). The annual blessing of Paschal Baskets took place afterwards in the church hall, followed by an Agape Meal.

Attendance at the services and increased participation of Holy Trinity members at all Holy Week services was duly noted by Fr Marc during his announcements at the conclusion of Divine Liturgy on Pascha. The choir sang beautifully at all services, and the readers read and altar servers served with piety and great devotion.

Click:  Holy Week Photos to view gallery from the week leading to Holy Pascha