Journey to Pascha 2025

FEB
February 2, 2025Reading: Luke 19:1-10 (Zacchaeus's encounter with Christ).
Zacchaeus Sunday
Desire for repentance and transformation
Reflect on personal obstacles to spiritual growth and cultivate a desire to seek Christ earnestly.
FEB
February 9, 2025Reading: Luke 18:10-14 (Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee).
Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee
Humility in prayer contrasted with pride.
Approach prayer with humility, acknowledging personal shortcomings. Show compassion on the poor and distressed. Trust in God, not yourself and ask for His help before every task this week.
FEB
February 16, 2025Reading: Luke 15:11-32 (The parable of the Prodigal Son).
Sunday of the Prodigal Son
Repentance and the boundless mercy of God.
Contemplate areas of life where you have strayed and seek reconciliation with God. Schedule a Confession. Every morning say, "Today I will be humble." Use up/freeze meats this week.
FEB
February 23, 2025Reading: Matthew 25:31-46 (The Last Judgment).
Meatfare Sunday (Sunday of the Last Judgment)
The final judgment and the importance of acts of mercy.
Engage in charitable acts, emphasizing service to others as service to Christ. Pray facing East this week. Christ is returning from the East and we wait for Him! Adam and Eve are cast from Paradise! Use up/freeze dairy this week.
MAR
March 2, 2025Reading: Matthew 6:14-21 (Teaching on forgiveness and fasting).
Cheesefare Sunday (Forgiveness Sunday)
Forgiveness as a foundation for spiritual growth.
Participate in the Rite of Forgiveness, seeking and extending forgiveness within your community. Ask each other for forgiveness each evening this week before bed.
MAR
March 3, 2025Beginning of Lenten fast
Clean Monday
The onset of spiritual purification and renewal.
Begin the Lenten fast, abstaining from meat, dairy, and other rich foods; attend the Great Compline service featuring the Canon of St. Andrew.
MAR
March 9, 2025Reading: John 1:43-51 (Jesus calls Philip and Nathanael).
Great Lent: Sunday of Orthodoxy
Triumph of the true faith and veneration of icons.
Attend the procession of icons and affirm the declarations of the Seventh Ecumenical Council. Bring an icon to church for a procession.
MAR
March 16, 2025Reading: Mark 2:1-12 (Jesus heals the paralytic).
Great Lent: Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
The experience of God's divine energies through prayer.
Deepen personal prayer life, seeking the transformative grace of God. Bring a prayer rope to be blessed today! Use it and pray the Jesus Prayer each day this week.
MAR
March 23, 2025Reading: Mark 8:34-9:1 (The call to take up one's cross).
Great Lent: Sunday of the Holy Cross
Veneration of the Cross as a symbol of victory and sacrifice.
Participate in the procession and veneration of the Cross during the Divine Liturgy. Wear your cross to church and kiss the cross each morning with a bow!
MAR
March 30, 2025Reading: Mark 9:17-31 (Jesus heals a demon-possessed boy).
Great Lent: Sunday of St. John Climacus
Ascent of the soul toward God, inspired by "The Ladder of Divine Ascent."
Study the teachings of St. John Climacus and strive to apply them. Every time you climb stairs this week ask St. John to help you reach Paradise with the sign of the cross!
APR
April 6, 2025Reading: Luke 7:36-50 (The sinful woman anoints Jesus's feet).
Great Lent: Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
The power of repentance and transformation.
Reflect on St. Mary's life as an example of profound repentance. Ask the Theotokos to offer you and the world pure thoughts and ideas this week.
APR
April 12, 2025Reading: John 11:1-45 (The raising of Lazarus).
Holy Week: Lazarus Saturday
Foretaste of the Resurrection through the raising of Lazarus.
Attend the Divine Liturgy and consider acts of mercy.
APR
April 13, 2025Reading: John 12:1-18 (The entry into Jerusalem).
Holy Week: Palm Sunday
Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
Join the procession with palms, celebrating Jesus as the Messiah. Place your palm branches and pussywillows behind an icon at home and in your carl.
APR
April 14, 2025Reading: Matthew 21:18-43 (The cursing of the fig tree and the parable of the wicked tenants).
Holy Week: Holy Monday
The barren fig tree and the need for spiritual fruitfulness.
Examine personal spiritual growth and seek to bear good fruit in faith.
APR
April 16, 2025Reading: Matthew 26:6-16 (The anointing at Bethany).
Holy Week: Holy Wednesday
The anointing of Christ by the sinful woman and Judas’ betrayal.
Receive the Sacrament of Holy Unction for healing and renewal.
APR
April 17, 2025Reading: Luke 22:1-39 (The Last Supper and the betrayal).
Holy Week: Holy Thursday
The Mystical Supper, institution of the Eucharist, and Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane.
Attend the Divine Liturgy of the Mystical Supper and prepare for Holy Communion.
APR
April 18, 2025Readings: The Twelve Gospel readings recounting Christ’s trial, suffering, and death.
Holy Week: Great and Holy Friday
The Passion and Crucifixion of Christ.
Attend the Service of the Twelve Gospels and the Lamentations Service at the Tomb of Christ. Refrain from TV, Internet & Phones to honor Christ's Death.
APR
April 19, 2025Reading: Matthew 27:62-66 (Christ’s burial & sealing of the tomb).
Holy Week: Great and Holy Saturday
Christ’s descent into Hades and the harrowing of hell.
Prepare spiritually for Pascha, participating in the Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil.
APR
April 20, 2025Reading: John 1:1-17 (The Prologue of St. John’s Gospel announcing the Word made flesh).
Great and Holy Pascha! (Christ is Risen!)
The Resurrection of Christ, the victory over death.
Attend the Midnight Paschal Service, proclaim “Christ is Risen!” and break the fast joyfully. Greet everyone with "Christ is Risen!". Say it before good morning and goodnight!