The Holy Trinity Church community paused this weekend, the period of time between the end of Great Lent and the beginning of Passion Week, to celebrate the two-day festival of Lazarus Saturday & Palm Sunday. And what a glorious celebration it was.

Both days were celebrated with 'Vrbica' a celebration most often practiced in Serbian Orthodox Churches where bells are affixed to the traditional palms and willow branches. On both Lazarus Saturday & the Entrance of Our Lord into Jerusalem, the children of Holy Trinity led both processions, all the time while the festal troparion was being sung by the entire church community. It was a very emotional and unforgettable scene to see the children, along with all of our parishioners and visitors, waving their palms with the sound of bells in the procession.  Even during the Liturgy on Palm Sunday, the constant presence of bells could be heard throughout Divine Liturgy.  A special thank you to Mrs. Diane Krot who, once again this year, made each of the lovely palm and pussy willow bouquets by hand.

"I felt like I was present at a monastery on Mount Athos hearing the bells announcing Christ's entry into Jerusalem," said Mr. Timothy Fetzko, Parish Council President at Holy Trinity. "It was so special, and something I will always remember."

On the Sunday of our Lord's Entrance into Jerusalem, Ms. Rebecca Berner was brought into the Orthodox Church through the Sacrament of Holy Chrismation after many months of instruction. Rebecca was overjoyed, as was our community for her. 

"Rebecca represents a new paradigm at Holy Trinity where young adults come as seekers, but make it known they are presenting themselves to eventually be received into the church through holy illumination," Holy Trinity Pastor, V. Rev. Marc A. Vranes, noted. "Seekers like Rebecca actually come to the Orthodox Church with a baseline of significant knowledge about the Orthodox Church. Many, like Rebecca, have been researching Orthodoxy via internet, Podcasts. and YouTube videos for several years." Father Marc continues, "Rebecca's sponsor is a young man named Zachary Novosad, who is a life-long Orthodox Christian, and recently returned to the Church.  He is a welcome presence at Holy Trinity."  Zachary along with Michael LaPorte regularly serve in the altar.  Both young men bring a sincere sense of devotion and maturity that our younger children look up to, and emulate.

Many Years to Ms. Rebecca Berner, to the young adults and children at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church.