Metropolitan Paisios Officiates at Service of the Holy Nyptiras

Astoria, NY

Σε κλίμα κατάνυξης τελέσθηκε ο Ιερός Νιπτήρας στην Ιερά Πατριαρχική και Σταυροπηγιακή Μονή Οσίας Ειρήνης Χρυσοβαλάντου στην Αστόρια το μεσημέρι σήμερα, Μεγάλη Πέμπτη 16 Απριλίου 2009. Ο καθηγούμενος της Μονής, Μητροπολίτης Τυάνων κ. Παϊσιος, αναπαριστώντας το Χριστό, έπλυνε, στη διάρκεια της τελετής τα πόδια 12 ιερέων από κοινότητες της Νέας Υόρκης και της Νέας Ιερσέης που συμμετείχαν στην τελετή. GANP/ ANA-MPA/DIMITRIS PANAGOS

Holy Thursday at St. Nicholas, Flushing

H.E. Archbishop Demetrios Officiated at the Holy Thursday Service at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Flushing, NY. His Eminence began by reading the first reading of the Gospel, assisted by Archdeacon Panteleimon and Deacon Nathanaiel.
The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate welcomed His Eminence to St. Nicholas. Hundreds of faithfull overflowed the Church. Greek Orthodox Easter, Pascha is this Sunday April 19, 2009.
Photos:GANP/Dimitrios Panagos, Greek Photographer.

Service of the Nymphios, Holy Wednesday

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios Officiated at St. Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Astoria late Wednesday evening, assisted by Fr. Apostolos Koufalakis, and Fr. George Anastasiou. Consul Generals of Greece Aghie Balta and Cyprus, Andreas Panayiotou were in attendance.
Photos: GANP/Dimitrios Panagos, Greek Photographer

Sacrament of the Holy Unction, Holy Wednesday

(On the afternoon or evening of Great and Holy Wednesday, the Sacrament or Mystery of Holy Unction is conducted in Orthodox parishes. The Sacrament of Holy Unction is offered for the healing of soul and body and for forgiveness of sins. At the conclusion of the service of the Sacrament, the body is anointed with oil, and the grace of God, which heals infirmities of soul and body, is called down upon each person. The Sacrament is performed by a gathering of priests, ideally seven in number, however, it can be performed by a lesser number and even by a single priest.)
Fr. Panagiotis Lekas, Presiding Priest and Pastor of St. John The Theologian Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Tenafly, NJ performed the Sacrament of the Holy Unction assisted by 2 Priests. The faithful filled St. John's Cathedral to capacity, many children and adults, the afternoon of Holy Wednesday. The Greek Orthodox we celebrate Easter, Pascha on April 19, 2009 this year. Always after Passover.

Service Of The Bridegroom, Holy Tuesday eve

H.E. Archbishop Demetrios , Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America visited the Community of Kimisis Tis Theotokou, in Brooklyn and Officiated at the Service of the Bridegroom. The Chanters chanted the Hymn of Kassiani.
Greek Orthodox Pascha (Easter) IS THIS SUNDAY APRIL 19, 2009.
Photos:GANP/Dimitrios Panagos, Greek Photographer

The Bridegroom Service, Pascha 2009

The Service of the Bridegroom

Introduction to Holy Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

The first part of Holy Week presents us with an array of themes based chiefly on the last day's of Jesus' earthly life. "The story of the Passion, as told and recorded by the Evangelists, is preceded by a series of incidents located in Jerusalem and a collection of parables, sayings and discourses centered on Jesus' divine sonship, the Kingdom of God, the Parousia, and Jesus' castigation of the hypocrisy and dark motives of the religious leaders."

The Orthros Services of Holy Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday is called the Service of the Bridegroom, and gets its name from the central figure in the well-known parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25.1-13). "The title Bridegroom suggests the intimacy of love. It is not without significance that the Kingdom of God is compared to a bridal feast and a bridal chamber. The Christ of the Passion is the Divine Bridegroom of the Church. The imagery connotes the final union of the Lover and the beloved. The title Bridegroom also suggest the Parousia.

Each day of Holy Week has its own particular theme. The theme of Monday (celebrated in anticipation on Palm Sunday evening) is that of the barren fig tree (Matthew 21: 18-20) which yields no fruit and is condemned. On Tuesday (celebrated Monday evening) the theme is on the vigilance of the wise virgins (Matthew 25: 1-13) who, unlike their foolish sisters, were ready when the Lord came to them. On Wednesday (celebrated Tuesday evening) the focus is on the sinful woman (Matthew 26: 6-13) who repents. Great emphasis is made in the liturgical services to compare the woman, a sinful harlot who is saved, to Judas, a chosen apostle who is lost. The one gives her wealth to Christ and kisses his feet; the other betrays Christ for money with a kiss.

St. Spyridon, Service of the Bridegroom.

Fr. George Passias presided at the Service of the Bridegroom on Holy Monday eve at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in Washington heights, NYC.
Photos: GANP/Dimitrios Panagos, Greek photographer.