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Kontakion of the Cross, Tone 4 O Christ our God, you willingly accepted to be lifted on the Cross, Giving your mercies to the new nation named after you; Giving joy to Orthodox faithful. And with your power you gave them victory over enemies. ~ May they have as an ally your Cross the invincible trophy, the weapon of peace. |
For April 2020 (civil calendar)
updated
COVID-19 UPDATE: Orthodox Christians cannot be prevented from prayer, wherever they may be, and whatever circumstances they find themselves in. This has always been so. When travelling, at home ill, or prevented by law, there are times when Christians cannot meet. The Mission family at Holy Cross are encouraged to continue the services at home, and in their normal family setting. The Services themselves routinely provide for this.
The Mission continues to send out the weekly propers (variables) by email. Should you require a copy of any of the Services, canons, or readings, please contact Holy Cross Administrator – see the Contact page. We can deliver by post or a collection point in Heidelberg.
We retain the list of services below, as a guide.
Saturday 4 April
4.30pm Commemoration for the Departed, Great Vespers, Compline
Sunday 5 April
9:00am Midnight Office, 6th Hour, Typica
Saturday 11 April
4.30pm Commemoration for the Departed, Great Vespers, Compline
Sunday 12 April – Palm Sunday
9:00am Midnight Office, 6th Hour, Typica
Holy Week commences on Monday 13th April.
Holy Cross has always met for the full cycle of daily services during Holy Week, and the following is offered as a guide for those doing services at home in 2020. It does not include “by anticipation” time-shifting of services; each person will will adapt to their own circumstances.
Holy Monday 13 April
morning Midnight Office, Matins, 1st Hour
afternoon 3rd, 6th & 9th Hours
evening Typica, Vespers, Compline
Holy Tuesday 14 April
morning Midnight Office, Matins, 1st Hour
afternoon 3rd, 6th & 9th Hours
evening Typica, Vespers, Compline
Holy Wednesday 15 April
morning Midnight Office, Matins, 1st Hour
afternoon 3rd, 6th & 9th Hours
evening Typica, Vespers, Compline
Holy Thursday 16 April
morning Matins, The Hours, Typica
evening Vespers, Compline
Great & Holy Friday 17 April
morning Matins of the Passion incl the 12 Gospel Readings
afternoon The Great Hours
evening Vespers & Compline incl Deposition of Christ, Exposition of the Epitaphios
Great & Holy Saturday 18 April
morning Matins of Holy Saturday
morning The Great Hours
– – – Reading of the Acts of the Apostles
late Midnight Office incl Recession of the Epitaphios
and then at midnight…
Holy Pascha 19 April
Resurrection Matins, Paschal Hours; Typica
At present the Faithful are prevented from meeting in person. We continue to meet as a church, united in reading the Services, each from our own homes.