Holy Saturday Liturgy of St. Basil, April 19 - The day begins with Holy Saturday morning baptisms. Followed by our priest serving the Vesperal Liturgy (of St. Basil).

 

Nocturne, Matins and Divine Liturgy of Pascha: Our faithful started the Saturday evening paschal festivities inside the church, in the dark, at 11:30 pm, where candles were passed around, and then lit, starting with the one candle brought out from the altar. They then proceeded out the door and went on a procession around our building 3 times, singing a paschal chant. Back in front of our front door they assembled outside to hear a selection from the gospels read by Fr. Alexander, before going back in. There followed Paschal Matins and Liturgy. After all was said and done, people's food baskets were blessed, and they shared a lot of nonfasting food!

Paschal Picnic / Agape Feast - Sunday afternoon, April 20. Following Agape Vespers, we had sunny, but windy, weather on Pascha afternoon for the joint picnic with St. Herman's Orthodox Church - the second year of this new tradition. This year St. Herman's hosted, at a park very close to their church, from 3 to 7 pm. Lamb and other types of meat were provided for everyone, and picnickers also brought their own nonfasting food to share.

Bright Friday - (April 25) Divine Liturgy to commemorate the Lifegiving Spring of the Mother of God. Divine Liturgy was served on Friday morning, April 25 at our mission, by the priests of both St. Tikhon and St. Herman Orthodox Churches. (Fr. Alexander was joined in serving by Fr. Damian Kuolt.)