Get Ready for Holy Week
As Orthodox Christians, Holy Week is one of the most significant and meaningful times of the year. This is the week where we immerse ourselves in the last days of Christ's public ministry on earth, leading up to His crucifixion and resurrection.
Church services during this week are particularly intense and emotional, especially as we reflect on our own repentance and journey to salvation. It’s important to prepare ourselves to fully engage with the experience.
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of these blessed days:
1. Plan Ahead
Whether you’re a student trying to make the most of limited time (see my guest post to college students) or a parent trying to wrangle the kids, it’s important to plan ahead.
Make sure you know the schedule of Holy Week services at your church and plan accordingly. Sometimes this means rearranging your work schedule or other commitments to ensure that you can attend as many services as possible.
Think through your (or the kids’) needs. Do you need to bring water? A snack? Certain medications?
Will kids need a toy or a fresh air break? When you can, strategize ahead of time to ease the difficulty of these services.
Speaking of services, I’ve got an excuse note for school children that you can use to give them Covenant Thursday and Good Friday off.
Take them with you to church and let them feel the warmth of God’s love and our church’s love for Him.
2. Attend with an Open Heart and Mind
There are A LOT of Holy Week services, and you’ll find that your ability to attend services changes from year to year.
Some years it feels like all the high-stakes periods (whether at school, college or work) are scheduled right in the middle of Holy Week. Some years your employer is understanding, and other years he or she will push back.
In light of this, cherish every service you can attend. If you can take time off, do so. Make a point to go to as many services possible and push yourself to spend this time in God’s house.
While you’re there, be sure to approach the Lord with an open heart and mind. Be willing to fully immerse yourself in the experience and allow yourself to hear the lessons and feel the emotions that come with the services.
This can be challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding.
3. Focus on Personal Prayer and Reflection
In the last days of Lent and during Holy Week itself, deliberately set aside time for prayer and reflection both at home and in services.
At home, cut out all the distractions you can. Hit pause on secular music, turn off the TV, put away the self-help podcasts. Instead, spend time reading the Bible, pray more often and more deliberately, and take quiet time to think on Him.
During services, engage in the hymns and praises. Listen carefully to the readings during Pascha services. Remember that they’re designed to walk you through the events and significances of the week. Use the time to meditate on Christ’s sacrifice.
If you need help focusing, my Holy Week Journal is designed to allow you to write or draw your prayers and reflections during the Psalm chants of every hour of Pascha.
If you need resources for kids, check out Joy in Play and Kids Christian Prints for cool downloadables.
4. Remember the Significance of Holy Week
Above all, remember the significance of Holy Week. This is a time to reflect on God’s deep love for us and the sacrifice that Christ made for us. It’s a time to renew our commitment to living a life that reflects His teachings.
Keep this in mind as you attend the services, and allow the experience to deepen your faith and strengthen your relationship with God.
By following these tips, you can help ensure that you are mentally prepared for Orthodox Christian Holy Week church services. Remember to approach the experience with an open heart and mind, and allow yourself to fully engage with the services. May this Holy Week be a time of spiritual growth and renewal for us all.
Make these days special and memorable for your kids by taking them to church to experience the beauty of Christ’s love.