Orthodox Holy Week has begun. This is a somber time for our community members that are of the Greek Orthodox faith. Much of what we normally do this week is based on being physically in our churches and with our families. 

But we cannot do that this year. This lack of physical connection brings us pain. Certainly, for me, every important thing in my life has happened at my home parish-my parents' funerals, my wedding, the baptisms of my sons and the baptism of my goddaughter. Last Pascha my sons, then 8 and 11, made it through their first Anastasi service all the way until the end (including McDonalds at 2 am). They were especially excited that they kept their candles lit until the end. To be told that this year, there would be no Anastasi at their church, no candle, was hard for them. Both asked if we could still celebrate and the answer is of course yes.

My parish has done an amazing job of streaming all the various services online and others are doing theirs too (check out the GOARCH website or your own Metropolis for links to online options).

To support our local community partners efforts to keep members of the faith #separatebutunited, we at the National Hellenic Museum will spend this week doing what we do best-gathering and sharing your stories. We are asking you to #shownhmyourcandles on social media. Tag us in your pictures of Easter candles past, or Orthodox celebrations that have candles. We want to preserve those memories of our traditions, so many of which involve the lighting of a candle. I'll start: here are my sons last Easter at the end of the Anastasi Service that they stayed awake and engaged for the entire time. This is arguably my proudest parenting moment.

We want to hear from you. #shownhmyourcandles and let's make sure that the memories and traditions of the Greek Orthodox faith are a part of the stories of the National Hellenic Museum. And let's add a little light to the world too. We all could use it.