(Excerpts taken from ‘Captivated by Your Teachings’ by
Rev Anthony J. Salim, this book can be ordered on Amazon)
Passion week (or Holy Week as it is known in the West) is
fast approaching and begins with Hosanna Sunday on March 25.
"As joyful as Hosanna Sunday is, the days of Passion Week are
more important. The first three days of Passion Week are marked by the
celebration of the Service of “Coming to the Harbor” (Monday and Tuesday), and
the “Service of the Rite of the Lamp” (Wednesday).
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| The Our Father in Syriac Aramaic. |
The three principal days of Passion Week are: Thursday of
the Mysteries, Great Friday of the Crucifixion, and Great Saturday of the
Light.
On Thursday of Mysteries, the whole Church commemorates the
Institution of the Holy Eucharist at the Lord’s Supper with the Apostles. In
focusing on the ritual of the Washing of the Feet, the Maronite Church
emphasizes clearly the legacy of love and service that is at the heart of the
meaning of the Eucharist, as well as the sacrifice of love on Calvary, with its
forgiveness of sins, sacramentally re-enacted in each celebration of the Divine
Service.
On Great Friday, the first of the two main services is the Anaphora
of the Signing of the Chalice. This is one of the most ancient liturgies of
the entire Church, and some form of it is prayed by all the Churches , East and
West. The focus is on redeeming Blood of Christ, and His Body is broken for us.
The second service of the day is a Service of the Word: the
ritual of the Burial of the Lord. Literal to the Gospel story of the Passion
and dramatic, it invites us to be buried with the Lord, to be forgiven and rise
with him.
On Great Saturday of the Light, the Divine Liturgy is not
permitted during the day. It is a quiet day that invites us to end our Lenten
Fast in a spirit of anticipation for the Grandest Feast, the Resurrection. The
“Service of Forgiveness” is prayed near noontime. In this communal penance
service, we are reminded that we are to be buried with Christ if we are to rise
with him.
