Beginning with Palm Sunday’s shouts of “Hosanna,” Holy Week concludes the preparatory season of Lent. The Great Three Days draw us deep into the indelible and redemptive mystery of Jesus’ betrayal, passion, death and resurrection. The Good Friday tomb becomes the womb of new life as we awaken to Easter Sunday’s joyful alleluias. Wherever you are, bring some of Holy Week to your space as well as your screen with this guide to Holy Week at home, prepared by cathedral clergy.
HOLY WEEK
Palm Sunday: The Liturgy of the Passion
SUNDAY, MARCH 28
11 A.M. | LIVESTREAM
Palm Sunday begins the time in the Christian year known as Holy Week, and commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Each of the four Gospels describes the crowds greeting Jesus by waving palm branches, and we ritually join them, shouting, “Hosanna!” in praise. From the songs of triumph and joy, the service turns to an account of Jesus’ Passion, suffering and death – preparing us for the solemn reflections of Holy Week.
The Rev. Kristin Saylor, Director of Formation, presiding, and the Very Rev. Dr. Malcolm Clemens Young, Dean, preaching.
TRIDUUM
The Great Three Days, the Triduum, unfold as one seamless liturgy celebrated over three days. The Great Three Days illumine the mysteries of Jesus’ servant ministry, death and resurrection.
Solemn Liturgy of Maundy Thursday
THURSDAY, APRIL 1
6 P.M. | LIVESTREAM
The name “Maundy” comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning commandment, given to the disciples by Jesus as he washed their feet. Although our ritual action adapts to the circumstances of sheltering in place, the meaning is unchanged: serving one another in love is a sign of our share in the life of Christ.
The Right Rev. Dr. Marc Handley Andrus, Bishop, presiding, and the Rev. Mary Carter Greene, Minister of Congregational Life, preaching.
Following the celebration of the Eucharist, (virtual) vigil is kept before the consecrated Bread and Wine on the Altar of Repose.
Good Friday Rite of Reconciliation (Confession) and Pastoral Counsel
FRIDAY, APRIL 2
10 A.M. | ZOOM and IN-PERSON
Clergy are available by appointment for confession and pastoral counsel on Good Friday.
Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday
FRIDAY, APRIL 2
3 P.M. | LIVESTREAM
Good Friday’s solemn service draws us into a challenging and mysterious part of the Christian story: the suffering and death of Jesus, recounted the Passion narrative. Grace Cathedral’s tradition is to hear the Gospel chanted by the choir to the ancient tones of the St. John Passion. We respond by offering prayers — the Solemn Collects — for the needs of our world, and finish by meditating on the Cross.
The Right Rev. Dr. Marc Handley Andrus, presiding, and the Rev. Anna E. Rossi, Succentor, preaching.
The Seven Last Words of Christ
FRIDAY, APRIL 2
6 P.M. | LIVESTREAM
The Alexander String Quartet plays Joseph Haydn’s masterpiece, with meditations on Jesus’ seven last words.
The Great Vigil of Easter
SATURDAY, APRIL 3
9 P.M. | LIVESTREAM
The Great Three Days, the Triduum, culminate with the Great Vigil of Easter. To “vigil” means to stay awake when we would normally be sleeping, especially to keep watch or pray — and so the Great Vigil of Easter begins with waiting. We hear accounts of God’s saving action in history, remembering the creation of the world and Israel’s deliverance at the Red Sea.
This sacred story continues and is expressed for Christians most poignantly in the life, death and resurrection of Christ. So we renew our participation in that life, recalling, as St. Paul wrote: “we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4 NRSV). For millennia, Christians have been welcomed into the church at the Easter Vigil, through baptism as well as, more recently, confirmation, reception and the reaffirmation of baptismal vows. Though we are dispersed this year, we renew our baptismal vows together and celebrate the resurrected life we share as the Body of Christ.
The Right Rev. Dr. Marc Handley Andrus, Bishop, presiding and preaching.
EASTER SUNDAY
APRIL 4
Service of the Word
SUNDAY, APRIL 4
8:30 A.M. | ZOOM
Enter into and share the stories of the resurrection in this joyful, participatory service with the Rev. Mary Carter Greene, Minister of Congregational Life, officiating, and the Very Rev. Dr. Malcolm Clemens Young, Dean, preaching.
Easter Sunday Eucharist
SUNDAY, APRIL 4
11 A.M. | LIVESTREAM
Alleluia! Christ is risen! In confidence, we gather virtually to celebrate the triumph of hope over despair, life over death, love over hate. The first Eucharist of Easter is celebrated with our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Marc Handley Andrus, presiding, and our Dean, the Very Rev. Dr. Malcolm Clemens Young, preaching. Hear the stories of God’s promise and the first disciples’ amazement at the empty tomb; receive the assurance that the Risen Christ gave to Mary Magdalene: “Do not be afraid.” Our celebration is enriched by new recordings of brass, timpani and choral music from our Choir of Men & Boys. Sing along!
Vesper Light: Easter Sunday
SUNDAY, APRIL 4
6 P.M. | ZOOM and LIVESTREAM
Follow the disciples on the road to Emmaus and meet the Risen Christ in this bright Easter Evening liturgy with live music. Sing out the hymns, speak the responses and join on Zoom to participate in the prayers with the resident congregation.
The Rev. Anna E. Rossi, Succentor, officiating, and the Rev. Kristin Saylor, Director of Formation, preaching.