Glory to Jesus Christ!
This coming Sunday, 13 April 2025, is the Feast of the Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday). The Blessing of Palms and Willows will take place following the Festal Liturgy.
Palm Sunday, also called the Triumphal Entry, is one of the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church, celebrated on the Sunday before Holy Pascha. On this day the Church celebrates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem in the days before the Jewish Passover.1
Lent ends on the evening of Friday of the 6th week. Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday are somewhat days of transition between Lent and Holy Week. Holy Week begins on the evening of Palm Sunday.
By raising Lazarus from the dead before Your passion, / You did confirm the universal Resurrection, O Christ God! / Like the children with the palms of victory, / we cry out to You, O Vanquisher of death: / Hosanna in the Highest! / Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord!
— Troparion for the Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday)
The readings for this Sunday are:
- Philippians 4.4–9 (Epistle)
- John 12.1–18 (Gospel)
Upcoming services during Great Lent:
- Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts on Wednesday, 09 April 2025, at 6 PM followed by a light Lenten potluck dinner. This will be our last Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts during this Lenten season.
- Vespers for the Feast of the Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) on Saturday, 12 April 2025, at 6 PM
- Festal Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) on Sunday, 13 April 2025, at 9 AM (with Prayers of the Hours beginning at 8:45 AM), followed by the Blessing of Palms and Willows
Access our full Lent, Passion Week, and Pascha calendar here.
Please note that today, Tuesday, 08 April 2025, there will be a Inquirer’s Class at the church at 7:00 PM.
There will also be choir practice this evening, Tuesday, at 6:30 PM at the Mukai home —not at the church. Please see Peggy for details.