While Easter and Holy Week observances for most Christian churches culminate Sunday, Holy Week will have just begun with Palm Sunday observances at the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake.
Like other Christian denominations, Greek Orthodox members observe a full week of holy services preceding Easter. However, Eastern Orthodox denominations tie their observances to the Jewish calendar and generally celebrate the week following the Jewish Passover. They note that Jesus celebrated Passover with his disciples and therefore, his death and resurrection followed a week later.
"The resurrection is the hallmark doctrine of the Christian faith. Without that empty tomb there is no need for church. You could take a bulldozer and knock it down," the Rev. John Kaloudes, priest at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Salt Lake, told the Deseret News last year.
The Greek Orthodox Church has two churches in the Salt Lake area, the Holy Trinity Cathedral at 279 S. 300 West and the Prophet Elias Church at 5335 Highland Drive.
Father George Matthew, the newest Orthodox leader in Salt Lake, will take part in his first Easter service in Utah starting this weekend.
In the days before Easter, Orthodox members fast and avoid certain foods — all animal and dairy products, plus oil and wine. "Holy Week" is an attempt to relive many of the important events in the final week's of Christ's mortal ministry.
This year's Holy Week schedule includes:
Saturday, April 22: Raising of Lazarus with Divine Liturgy at 9 a.m. (both churches)
Sunday, April 23: Palm Sunday Orthros at 9 a.m.; Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. (both churches)
Monday, April 24 and Tuesday April 25: Service of the Bridegroom, 7 p.m. (both churches)
Wednesday, April 26: Presanctified Liturgy, 8 a.m. at Prophet Elias Church only; Sacrament of Holy Unction, 3 p.m. at Prophet Elias Church only; Sacrament of Holy Unction, 7 p.m., both churches.
Thursday, April 27: Vespers and Divine Liturgy of St. Basil, 7 p.m. at Prophet Elias Church; Vespers and Divine Liturgy, 9 a.m. at Holy Trinity; Service of Holy Passion/Twelve Gospels, 7 p.m., both churches.
Friday, April 28: Holy Friday, with Royal Hours, 9 a.m. at Prophet Elias Church; Apokathelosis, 3 p.m., both churches; Lamentations, 7 p.m., both churches.
Saturday, April 29: Vespers and Divine Liturgy of St. Basil, 9 a.m., both churches; Resurrection Service Orthros and Divine Liturgy, 11:30 p.m., both churches.
Sunday, April 30: Easter Sunday, with Vespers of Agape, 5 p.m., Holy Trinity Church only.
Monday, May 1: Bright Week Feast Day of St. George, with Divine Liturgy, 9 a.m., both churches.
You can reach Lynne Arave by e-mail at lynn@desnews.com