In the Orthodox Church, Easter is officially called Pascha (Passover in ancient Greek).  It is classified separately from other important holy days, the Twelve Great Feasts, and called the Feast of Feasts.  Pascha commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after His Crucifixion.  Pascha is preceded by Holy Week, which is preceded by Great Lent, forty days of prayer, fasting, and good works.

Before Holy Week, we celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.  The liturgical cycle proceeds from there to Jesus’s teaching in the Temple, the Mystical (Last) Supper with His disciples, the betrayal by Judas Iscariot, the Crucifixion, the deposition from the Cross, the placing of His body in the tomb by Joseph of Arimathea, and the Resurrection.  This is a period of deep prayer and reflection for Orthodox Christians and the crown of the liturgical year.

Holy Trinity Orthodox Church of East Meadow invites the Long Island community to join us for Holy Week and Pascha.  Come and experience the great joy and grace of the Lord’s Resurrection.  The Holy Week schedule is found below.  All services are conducted in English.  Holy Trinity is located at 369 Green Avenue in East Meadow.  Contact information is as follows:  telephone, 516-483-3649; email, [email protected]; and website, www.htocem.org.  Services are also streamed on https://www.facebook.com/htocem.

April 28, Palm Sunday                                

9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy, followed by an outdoor procession and Lenten coffee hour

6:00 p.m. Bridegroom Matins

April 29, Holy Monday                                

8:00 a.m. Lenten Hours

9:30 a.m. Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts

6:00 p.m. Bridegroom Matins

April 30, Holy Tuesday                               

8:00 a.m. Lenten Hours

9:30 a.m. Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts

6:00 p.m. Bridegroom Matins

May 1, Holy Wednesday                 

8:00 a.m. Lenten Hours

9:30 a.m. Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts

6:00 p.m. Matins of Holy Thursday

May 2, Holy Thursday                                

9:00 a.m. Vesperal Divine Liturgy

6:00 p.m. Matins of Holy Friday/Twelve Passion Gospels

May 3, Holy Friday                          

8:00 a.m. Royal Hours

2:30 p.m. Great Vespers/Placement of the Holy Shroud in the Tomb

6:00 p.m. Matins/Praises to our Lord

May 4, Holy Saturday                                 

9:30 a.m. Vesperal Liturgy, followed by basket blessing at 12:15 p.m.

11:15 p.m. Paschal Midnight Vigil/Divine Liturgy, followed by a festive meal

May 5, Pascha Sunday                                

12:00 p.m. Paschal Vespers, followed by a children’s outdoor procession and Easter egg hunt

May 6, Bright Monday

9:30 a.m. Bright Week Divine Liturgy

About Holy Trinity Church:

Holy Trinity parish, founded in 1924, is the first Orthodox Christian parish in the Nassau/Suffolk area and centrally located in mid-island East Meadow.  Holy Trinity is a diverse community of Orthodox Christians who come from all walks of life and ethnicities, gathering in the oneness of Faith to worship God in the fullness of the Church’s liturgical life.  The parish also has a strong commitment to serving others through various charities.  We welcome all people seeking a community rooted in the oldest Christian Church with an emphasis on Holy Scripture, Holy Tradition, sacraments, prayer, fasting, philanthropy, and traditional Christian values.