Dear Holy Apostles Family Member,
As we prepare for the start of Holy Week and focus our hearts on Christ’s Crucifixion and Resurrection, we thank God for the blessing of being able to pray together in person. We also thank all of you who made reservations for this year's divine services, and who are adding your prayers remotely by watching the live stream. To maintain a safe and reverent atmosphere for all, we offer the following reminders and guidelines:
Palm Sunday Morning (April 25): Following the Divine Liturgy, Holy Apostles will be open for those who could not secure a reservation so that they may light a candle and receive palms from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Please enter through the Northside Church door. Parish Council members will be there to assist you.
Good Friday Lamentations & Procession (April 30): Weather permitting, the Friday evening procession of the Kouvouklion / Epitaphios will be held outdoors. Those inside the church will begin the procession by exiting the church's front doors and circling the far North parking lot. After the procession, the remainder of the service will be completed outside at the church's front entrance. The North entrance to the church parking lot will be closed at 8:00 PM sharp due to the Epitaphios procession. We ask you to please use the South Parking lot entrances that are located off of Lancaster Street.
Holy Saturday Night Anastasi Service & Liturgy (May 1-2): Weather permitting, the Anastasi service will take place outside of the church’s main Westside entrance (Wolf Rd side) beginning Saturday night at approximately 11:40 PM. All parishioners are welcome to attend! You do NOT need a reservation for this part of the worship service, since it will be held outdoors. Once the Anastasi service, including the singing of “Christ is Risen,” has concluded at approximately 12:15 AM, those parishioners with reservations for the Divine Liturgy will be directed into the church to continue the Paschal celebration.
Holy Week Candle Sales: You may purchase candles for Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday at the Northside Entrance of the church. We thank our GOYA volunteers who will be selling the candles.
Memorial Luminaries: Our Holy Apostles GOYANs will be making luminaries that will be placed in the Memorial Garden during our Good Friday Service in memory of our departed loved ones. If you would like to have someone remembered in this way, please place your order by Holy Thursday by clicking here.
All evening Holy Week services will be live-streamed, as well as the Good Friday afternoon, Holy Saturday morning, and Easter Agape services. Live-streamed services can be accessed on our website, YouTube Channel, and through links in a forthcoming email that will also include the Greek/English texts of all Holy Week services.
Please note that current COVID-19 safety protocols (face masks and 6ft distancing) will continue for all indoor and outdoor services. We thank you for your continued cooperation.
Finally, if you have made a reservation for services, please be considerate and honor your reservation. If you are unable to attend, please cancel your reservation by visiting SignUp Genius or by calling the Church office as soon as possible, so others can participate in person.
We look forward to the day when these restrictions will be lifted so we can all unite again as one Holy Apostles family, under one roof, in prayer. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation, and we wish you all a blessed Pascha!
In Christ,
The Holy Apostles Parish Council Members
