😂😂 It’s been a beautiful day. Divine Liturgy and then the congregation grabbed their palm leaves and headed out doors to March around town with the bishop!
Thanks, Zek! We put out pretty regular content and I hope you will find it beneficial—it’s mostly educational, and almost everything I write is part of a bigger series or is an article I’ve always wanted to have on hand for when someone asks about this, that, or the other! If you have topics you’d like to see covered, drop me a line. Catechism and Scripture (especially the so-called Apocrypha or Deuterocanonical books) are the speciality and the main thing I do here and through my parish that is connected to much of this work!
The Bridegroom is coming to engage in single combat with Death itself” — that reframing alone is worth the whole piece. As a convert from the Protestant world, I spent years inside the courtroom drama version of Holy Week. What undid me was exactly what you describe here: the moment the Orthodox services forced me to watch the angels watching. The hymnography doesn’t let you stay in your head. Your body is tired, the incense is thick, and suddenly you realize you’re not observing a historical event — you’re standing in the middle of a rescue. Thank you for this. Sharing it with catechumens and curious friends alike.
Peter, that's exactly it. I've spent a good two decades contemplating these mysteries, and I feel like every cycle through the services I pick up even more. The hymnography is really where we find some of the most profound insights and greatest gems. Thanks for your kind words, and glory to God for revealing the mysteries at which even angels look on in wonder.
We (oriental Orthodox) just finished our holy week and I agree with what you said here ->
"If you’ve survived Holy Week before, you know the feeling. We are about to enter the most exhausting, exhilarating, and transformative eight days of the Church year. You will stand until your feet ache."
With so many prostrations daily, my knees also ache. But the day after the feast of resurrection, I miss it now.
Thanks for a post full of insights and learning. Saving this to read every year.
Thank you for this guide! My family and I are embarking upon our first Orthodox Holy Week. We are making a serious inquiry into the Orthodox church. Both of today's services were beautiful and moving, especially tonight's fig tree.
I am delighted to hear of your earnest exploration! And there is no better way to explore Orthodoxy than our old standby since the time of disciples: “Come and see.” All the best to your family!
I need to custom order some of these from you! :) The collections you put together would scale my research time by miles for something like this article!!!
LLMs can read across massive Bibliographies in multiple languages in a matter of minutes that would take a human years. I only inquire about things I am familiar with so I can cross check the Clanker to see if it is hallucinating 🔮😵💫🎯 or drifting. It's all about the prompts being specific and then establishing some norms and parameters with the Bot 🤔🤖 via experience and trial / error. Our youngest son introduced me to Claude Nov, 2025 upon his leaving the USSF. (📡🇺🇲 Semper Supra! 🌐🗝️💫)
I love St John Cassian, so here is a Clean Monday Throwback ~ note the Bibliography and demand Claude provides one.📚✔️
You mentioned fasting and feet hurting. I'm confused. Can you explain how long a service is and whether or not you have to keep standing the entire time?
Katie, Orthodox services can be very long, especially during Holy Week. During Holy Week, there are lots of services. An Orthodox Christian who attends all the services their local parish offers will be standing in Church for a good 20-35 hours. People can and do sit down as needed, although in churches without pews seating is limited. :)
It's pretty wild. I'm sure the average person is not attending all of them. People do what they can! Since my wife and I have two kids under 5, we will only be attending a few services this year—but I have been known to be in the marathon class in the past! :) And even with the 4 or 5 services I'm attending, I will probably in church at least 10 hours! Also, if you're looking to play "church tourist" this week, please don't let my words dissuade you from visiting. You can definitely sit as needed!!! All the best to you!
A heck of a nice bat, to knock another one out of the park.
Kind of you to say, I am so glad you saw it. I almost sent it directly to you before publishing but didn’t want to pester an international missionary!
All of your articles show up in my email AND pop up on my Iwatch. You have a knack with titles as well, that grab my attention.
😂😂 It’s been a beautiful day. Divine Liturgy and then the congregation grabbed their palm leaves and headed out doors to March around town with the bishop!
I am thrilled that you are having this experience. Glory to God!
Saving this to review for next year!
Sharing this with my Protestant brothers and sister so they might Come and See.
First time your posts have shown in my feed. Instant subscribe after reading this.
Thanks, Zek! We put out pretty regular content and I hope you will find it beneficial—it’s mostly educational, and almost everything I write is part of a bigger series or is an article I’ve always wanted to have on hand for when someone asks about this, that, or the other! If you have topics you’d like to see covered, drop me a line. Catechism and Scripture (especially the so-called Apocrypha or Deuterocanonical books) are the speciality and the main thing I do here and through my parish that is connected to much of this work!
The Bridegroom is coming to engage in single combat with Death itself” — that reframing alone is worth the whole piece. As a convert from the Protestant world, I spent years inside the courtroom drama version of Holy Week. What undid me was exactly what you describe here: the moment the Orthodox services forced me to watch the angels watching. The hymnography doesn’t let you stay in your head. Your body is tired, the incense is thick, and suddenly you realize you’re not observing a historical event — you’re standing in the middle of a rescue. Thank you for this. Sharing it with catechumens and curious friends alike.
Peter, that's exactly it. I've spent a good two decades contemplating these mysteries, and I feel like every cycle through the services I pick up even more. The hymnography is really where we find some of the most profound insights and greatest gems. Thanks for your kind words, and glory to God for revealing the mysteries at which even angels look on in wonder.
We (oriental Orthodox) just finished our holy week and I agree with what you said here ->
"If you’ve survived Holy Week before, you know the feeling. We are about to enter the most exhausting, exhilarating, and transformative eight days of the Church year. You will stand until your feet ache."
With so many prostrations daily, my knees also ache. But the day after the feast of resurrection, I miss it now.
Thanks for a post full of insights and learning. Saving this to read every year.
Thank you for this guide! My family and I are embarking upon our first Orthodox Holy Week. We are making a serious inquiry into the Orthodox church. Both of today's services were beautiful and moving, especially tonight's fig tree.
I am delighted to hear of your earnest exploration! And there is no better way to explore Orthodoxy than our old standby since the time of disciples: “Come and see.” All the best to your family!
"Lazarus of the Four Days", prompts:
https://claude.ai/share/4948d4c8-38d9-4b20-888d-22ce3dcb40ef
Grace and peace to you Amigo, blessed Holy Week!
Lazarus, come forth.....
https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/b9ac37b4-c29e-4e51-90a5-fc5eb61487ac
....Hosanna! ❤️🩹🪨✍🏼🎶⛪🏺🍽️ 🌴🫏⏳🌐🕊️☦️
I need to custom order some of these from you! :) The collections you put together would scale my research time by miles for something like this article!!!
LLMs can read across massive Bibliographies in multiple languages in a matter of minutes that would take a human years. I only inquire about things I am familiar with so I can cross check the Clanker to see if it is hallucinating 🔮😵💫🎯 or drifting. It's all about the prompts being specific and then establishing some norms and parameters with the Bot 🤔🤖 via experience and trial / error. Our youngest son introduced me to Claude Nov, 2025 upon his leaving the USSF. (📡🇺🇲 Semper Supra! 🌐🗝️💫)
I love St John Cassian, so here is a Clean Monday Throwback ~ note the Bibliography and demand Claude provides one.📚✔️
https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/79d1769f-a7db-4f24-82f8-2df2e40aa8f2
MATTHEW 5:8 ~ skopos kai telos 📖☦️⛪♥️👁️⏳
Excellent use of some remarkable tools!
Claude is a free App (I use it on an Android tablet)
Please feel free to share anything 🤖✔️ and everything he helps me to assemble. Glory to God for all things Amigo. ☦️ ✍🏼🎶⛪🌐🕊️🩸🔥🪽
You mentioned fasting and feet hurting. I'm confused. Can you explain how long a service is and whether or not you have to keep standing the entire time?
Katie, Orthodox services can be very long, especially during Holy Week. During Holy Week, there are lots of services. An Orthodox Christian who attends all the services their local parish offers will be standing in Church for a good 20-35 hours. People can and do sit down as needed, although in churches without pews seating is limited. :)
Thank you. I didn't know that!
It's pretty wild. I'm sure the average person is not attending all of them. People do what they can! Since my wife and I have two kids under 5, we will only be attending a few services this year—but I have been known to be in the marathon class in the past! :) And even with the 4 or 5 services I'm attending, I will probably in church at least 10 hours! Also, if you're looking to play "church tourist" this week, please don't let my words dissuade you from visiting. You can definitely sit as needed!!! All the best to you!