Holy Trinity Orthodox Church

by Dn. Mark Oleynik

As we draw near to Pascha, our journey becomes more intense and our anticipation of the Great and Saving Night grows. The anticipation is particularly acute in children and parents should be prepared to take advantage of their curiosity. Below are some notes and tips to assist parents in guiding their children during the Paschal weekend (April 28-May 1).

Matins of Holy Friday (Thursday, 7 p.m.)
This service features the reading of the 12 Passion Gospels. The first gospel relates Christ’s discourse with His disciples at the Last Supper, the next ten gospels relate the Lord’s sufferings, and the last gospel describes His burial and the sealing of the tomb. These readings provide the narrative for the events that take place while the accompanying hymns sung throughout the service clarify and give deeper meaning to the text. Between the fifth and sixth gospels there is a solemn procession with the large wooden cross from the sanctuary into the center of the nave. We find additional clarity when visible actions are added to the gospels and hymns.

Parent Tips

• This is a lengthy service so give your children advance notice (so you can limit the number of times the question of “how much longer?” is asked.)
• Focus your children on how the text advances the events or provides additional detail in each subsequent lesson. If possible, read these gospels with your children prior to the service.
• As always, everyone should stand or kneel during the gospel readings.
• Explain to your children that although Matins is a morning service, this service is “anticipated” and is celebrated on Thursday evening.

Royal Hours (Friday, 10 a.m.)
There is no liturgy on Holy Friday since the Divine Liturgy is always a celebration of communion with the Risen Lord. We do however read the Royal Hours on Friday morning. This service takes its name from the fact that it used to be officially attended by the Emperor and his court in Constantinople.

Parent Tips

• If you cannot attend, you can teach your children the significance of each of the hours: First—when Christ was led into the Praetorium (i.e., the palace of the governor) before Pilate (~7 a.m.). Third—when the Holy Spirit came down upon the apostles on Pentecost and Christ was condemned by Pilate (~9 a.m.). Sixth—when Christ was released to the Jews, condemned, and nailed to the Cross (~12 noon). Ninth—when He died on the Cross (~3 p.m.).
• This is the strictest fast day of the year. Help your child as much as possible to refrain from eating other than minimally.

Unnailing Vespers (Friday, 4 p.m.)
At Vespers on Holy Friday, the shroud (a large icon depicting Christ lying in the tomb) is lifted by the priest from the altar table and then carried in procession out of the altar to the specially prepared tomb in the middle of the church.

Parent Tips

• The service’s structure is like Saturday Vespers so children should be able to recognize most parts.
• The Gospel reading tells the story of the Christ dying on the cross. Don’t be afraid to discuss with your children (of all ages) that Christ really died and this is the story of how He died.
• The most moving and solemn part is the carrying of the shroud to the special tomb. Children quickly understand this movement just as the children understood Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.
• You can show your child that the same words (“The Noble Joseph…“) sung during the carrying of the shroud are embroidered on the edge of shroud.
• Ask your child what Joseph of Arimathea (i.e., the “Noble Joseph”) may have been thinking as he carried the lifeless Body of our Lord to the tomb.

Lamentations (Friday, 7 p.m.)
During Matins of Holy Saturday, the tone and theme gradually changes from lamentation to victory over death. We stand before the tomb—but it is revealed to us as the life-giving tomb. The shroud is carried in a procession around the church while all the people (including children) carry lighted candles and sing “Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal have mercy on us…” Upon returning to the entrance of the church we walk under the shroud reminding us that we must pass through death to the Resurrection. While the church is softly illuminated with the faithful’s candles, we hear the Ezekiel’s dry bones prophecy and words of Pascha: “Let God arise…” As the day ends, we are left with a sense of anticipation.

Parent Tips

• Children love processions and they like to hold candles—here they can do both. Tell them they are a very important part of the service.
• Ask them (especially older children) to listen to the music for “changes” (tone, rhythm, etc.), what they were, when they happened, and what was being sung at the time. Teens and preteens listen to a lot of music with their iPods: get them “into” the music and how the Church uses it to help us.
• As you drive home, discuss how we are dependent on light (car lights, street lights, etc.) and how we could not function without it. Use this as a transition to discussing the light of Christ.

Vesperal Divine Liturgy (Saturday, 10 a.m.)
Saturday is called the “Blessed Sabbath.” For the Jews, this was a day of rest, but for us it is when Christ worked and our sorrow is transformed into joy. During Vespers, there are 15 Old Testament readings! After these readings, and during “Arise, O Lord” (which is sung in place of the “Alleluia” verses), the dark (purple) clerical vestments are exchanged for bright (white) ones. The votives and coverings and are also changed at this time—this is an exciting moment for kids. The “light” of Resurrection is really made visible to us as the Liturgy of St. Basil continues in this joyful light.

Parent Tips

• On your way to church talk with your child about what they have experienced in the Church during the past few days. Certainly, they will remind you how long the services have been but you may be surprised by other things they may have noticed.
• Perhaps you can dress your child in white/light colored clothes and have them wear a dark sweater or jacket as a top layer. During the changing of the vestments, have them remove the top layer.
• Tell your children that catechumens were originally baptized and received into the Church during the Old Testament readings. (Later in the day, some of our Holy Trinity catechumens will be received into the Church as well.)

Great and Holy Pascha (Sunday, 12 a.m.)
Finally, we arrive at the Paschal night: the most joyous celebration in the Orthodox Church. After the shroud is carried into the altar and placed on the altar table, the Church is dark. As midnight approaches, the clergy begin to sing, “Thy Resurrection, O Christ our Savior, the angels in heaven sing…” Suddenly, the priest exits the Sanctuary with a lighted candle and by this candle all the people light theirs—one by one. We go in procession around the church until we arrive at the closed doors of entrance to the church. It is now that we hear for the first time “Christ is Risen!” After the doors are opened, everyone enters into a fully lit church where there is no darkness and we celebrate Matins and the Divine Liturgy in the middle of the night.

Parent Tips

• Although it may be difficult, try to get your child to rest or take a nap on Saturday. Every kid wants to stay up late…this is their big chance!
• Dress your child warmly and perhaps bring a blanket to wrap them in to keep the chill away.
• Younger children will probably fall asleep at some point—this is to be expected. They will still probably remember many things about the night.
• “Gently” rouse your child for communion several minutes before they will receive the Body and Blood.
• Teach your children the Paschal greeting (Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!) in different languages. They will like to respond out loud to these greetings—especially in church.

Although the services are somewhat longer than usual, you can/should bring your children and prepare them to participate. Please be considerate and aware of your children’s whereabouts, actions, movements, etc., at all times during the services so those around you can also fully experience the joy of the Feast.

by Dn. Mark Oleynik

Now what? It’s the week after Pascha, the Feast of Feasts, and after working all day I find myself sitting at my desk and day-dreaming. Although full of joy I find myself thinking about the “good old days” of Lent. Yes, back in those days there was so much to do and so much to pre-pare. There was focus and intensity. The schedule was liturgically full. Certainly, the days and evenings in the coming weeks will be filled with things to do (no problem with that in my family) but it just won’t be the same “good” busy that became so familiar and comforting in the past seven weeks. And then I wonder, was the struggle and sacrifice really worth it?

There are two ways in which the question may be addressed. It can be asked from the standpoint of pleasure. The one who asks it in this manner has seen the summer of pleasure suddenly turn to winter. Dis-appointed and amazed, he feels that life has deceived him. In this way, the question is hardly worth asking because the answer is easy: No.

“Was Lent worth it?,” also can be asked from the standpoint of duty. In this sense, it is asked from a perspective of living and working for the highest things in life, from resisting evil, embracing the good, worshipping God and trying to do good for others. Asked in this manner, the question is very important and well worth asking.

To this question, St. Paul has a great answer. The answer comes at the end of one of the most beautiful passages of the Bible, where Paul climbs to the stars of inspiration, unfolding the glorious destiny of redeem-ed mankind. We are familiar with St. John Chrysostom quoting Paul in his Paschal sermon, “O Death, where is thy sting? O Grave, where is thy victory?” But just two verses later, Paul has a far greater conclusion than that: “Because of what I have told you about life to come and the triumph of good over evil, therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15)

With that statement Paul provides two reasons of great assurance for the purpose of our struggle—our personal immortality in Christ, and the ultimate victory of the Kingdom of Christ.

First, because Christ is risen, and because we rise with Him, and live forever, life is not a vain or an empty thing. Death was the final and most dangerous enemy, but since death is conquered and we now live forever, life is baptized with sacred and glorious meaning and value.

You can feel the power of Paul’s argument if you try to imagine him giving the troubled Corinthians worldly advice. Suppose he had said this: “My friends, you will die and disappear forever, all of you; but remember the human race goes on, the generations of men come and go like the leaves on the tree every season; the tree remains, and so the human race remains: The stream of humanity flows forever on.”

Imagine the troubled and grieving Christians of that day in Corinth, or anyone today, getting strength or satisfaction or hope out of such assertions. St. Paul challenges this notion, arguing that if death is the end of all, then we might as well forget all about virtue, truth and honor (for these virtues have meaning only in the light of immortality) and take for ourselves the motto, “Eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” Instead of that, Paul says Christ is risen and has become the first fruits of them that slept: We shall live as He lives, with the glorious body of the resurrection, assured of the final triumph of right and truth, and the ultimate victory of good over evil.

Sometimes our hearts grow sad at the condition of affairs in the world. Sometimes we grow heavy-hearted thinking we have made only a little impress-ion in the world. All our efforts seem like bailing the ocean with a cup, and we come to believe that evil might indeed triumph over good, or that there will forever be a perpetual recurrence of what we now see—a ceaseless conflict between right and wrong. This casts a serious doubt on the meaning of life for us, for the heart of man longs for the victory of truth, the complete conquest of evil.

What, then, is it that saves us from doubt and pessimism and despair? What is the ground for our faith and our courage? This is the same thing that Paul gave to the Corinthians, who feared that their best labors in the Lord might prove in vain. Paul did not speak about the evolution of human society or the disappearance of old systems of evil and iniquities in the past. No, he told them to look through the struggles and behold Christ their King, victorious, reigning until every enemy is put under His feet, when He shall deliver the kingdom over to God. Then the sun will rise but never set. Then none shall say, “I am sick.” Then no aggressor shall oppress and persecute the weak. Then there shall be no more night, and no more curses, and no more separating death, and no more tears and justice and peace and mercy shall flow down like a river, and God shall be all and in all.

No one ever spoke, or lived, or fought, or died for truth in vain. Not the labor of a single hour, not a single blow struck for the right, not a single choice of good as against evil, not one deed of mercy, not one sigh of anguish or pity shall be in vain if done in the Name of Christ.

Is it worth it? The answer is easy: Yes! Be of good courage and lift up your hearts. Be faithful in the work and place appointed to you. Be steadfast, unmovable, against all the tides and storms of evil. Your life counts forever because you labor in the Lord.

by Joelle Rush and Jesse Torbic

Sunday School students and article authors Joelle Rush (left) and Jesse Torbic (behind her and to the left) participate in the March for Life in Washington DC.

Last December, middle school students left Holy Trinity for a middle school retreat at Antiochian Village. At the retreat we had a great time, but also learned about our faith as Orthodox Christians. We also met other middle school aged Orthodox Christians as well as Bishop Thomas.

One idea that we looked at on this retreat was “Children are the Present of the Church”, not just the future. This means that we are a part of the church from baptism and we should live in the presence of God. Another thing we talked about at the retreat was not only how to be a Christian inside the Church, but also outside the Church. We discussed how the Church isn’t only a building; it is a world we live in, and that we have a toolbox that God has provided us with. In it are things such as faith, the Church, the Bible, and saints.

Another topic we discussed is how we dedicate ourselves to Christ. The kids were split into six different groups. We were all assigned a saint to learn about. An example of one of these saints was the Theotokos. She gave her life to Christ at about the age of 14. Other examples were Faith, Hope, and Love, who in a time of trouble, always believed in their faith. They gave their lives to Christ at about the ages of 9, 12, and 14. A third topic that was discussed was that we should love ourselves, but not be in love with ourselves. We should love ourselves because we are God’s creation.

Alongside of having discussions, we did many other activities including sledding and playing in the snow, playing four-square, having a bonfire, singing Christmas carols, making cinnamon flavored apples, assembling hygiene kits for charity, and other team building activities that required us to interact with other people outside of our church parish.

Along with spending time with others, Bishop Thomas was there as well. He talked to us about always following God and not making excuses to skip church and church activities; that church is a feast we should take advantage of. In the sermon on Sunday, he talked about being in time-out, which means that we need to take a break and look at our faith.

On the drive back from the retreat we asked everyone what their favorite part was and what they took out of this weekend. Nick McFarland quoted, “It was fun to hang out with my friends and make more friends.” “I learned you have to be yourself all the time,” said Nicholas Siewers. “I learned you have to believe in your faith,” stated Anna Abashidze. “The church isn’t only a building,” Lauren Torbic said. “My favorite part was sledding and making a ramp for the sleds,” said Ben Oleynik.

by Dn. Mark Oleynik

During the last school year my daughter was assigned to list three significant events for each year of her life. Reflecting back on the last year I was reminded of this assignment and decided to refresh my memory of the events of 2013. I proceeded to sit down in front of my personal computer and entered the search phrase, “looking back at 2014.” I immediately realized my error but was surprised that there were more than 17,000 hits that looked back “at the future.” I briefly glanced at a few of the articles in curiosity but mostly it gave me pause to think: if we could look back now at our lives during 2014, what would we find?

With such advanced knowledge of our lives this year we would surely avoid the pitfalls, circumstances, and situations which would cause us pain and grief, wouldn’t we? Certainly, we would choose only those things that would profit us, our children, and our friends both now and hereafter. Although we might still experience sadness and failure during the upcoming year we would be prepared for it. When something would come up, we could make the wise decision.

That’s it: making wise decisions. For some, decision making can be an ordeal. Although something deep within us shouts that life is a series of decisions (moments in truth), we like to put things off; and if there is any way by which we can delay a decision (“I’ll do that when the kids get older”, “I don’t have time”, “that’s too difficult”), or push the responsibility of the decision on to somebody else, we probably wouldn’t hesitate to do so. That is the way many live; dwelling in the valley of indecision. The prophet Joel speaks that, “the day of the Lord is at hand in the valley of decision” (Joel 3:14). Although we may be indecisive, let us not be confused—God will make His decision.

We often begin the new year with the good intent-ions of changing things (lose ten pounds, exercise, more prayer, travel, etc.) but we often lose our enthusiasm and interest after a short while. Nobody ever likes to look back and realize nothing much changed year to year and most especially in their relationship with God. That’s a most sad and sobering thought, but perhaps you can decide now to become God-centered in all you do and really make this year different from years past.

Be grateful for the gifts you have at this very moment. Don’t moan or groan over what you haven’t got. You are alive. You love and you are loved by God. You may be surrounded by dear friends and family who care for you. It is better to want what you have than to have what you want. “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His Name” (Psalm 100:4).

Something else you can do is to learn to master your thoughts. Remember the saying, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Start each day with Metropolitan Philaret’s prayer especially asking God to guide you in all your “thoughts and feelings.” Stop the thought wrestling and see Christ in the person you meet at the checkout line, at coffee hour, or in the driver who just cut you off in traffic. Don’t let your thoughts push you around, but rather take the initiative and push your thoughts to where they result in goodness.

Another good thing is to do something (or something more) for others regardless of your age. The self-centered person is usually miserable. Invest something of yourself in others every day. Our parish has many ministries dedicated to helping others in some way. If you don’t find something here then reach out into our community (take to heart our mission to “Build up the Church beyond our Parish”). Scripture tells us that, “For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister” (Mark 10:45). Follow Jesus’ example.

Finally, place your trust in God. Stop and consider your place: do you make yourself big and God small? Faith and trust is betting your life that God lives and that He loves each one of us with a love that can never fail. We simply need to remember our Lord’s trust in the Father as He gave up His spirit. At the end, there was the utmost assurance that the One who had been with Him from eternity would not desert Him.

Of course, we can’t look into the future but what we can do now, with the help of our Lord, is to make wiser decisions that will bring profit to our souls. May your decisions this year bring you a penitent, praying, pure, obedient, and a very happy heart. And when you look back at 2014 may it be with joy.