Which of these Holy Week services should I attend?

[rouchno1fan]

I've been to quite a few Divine Liturgies and attended the odd Vespers, but I'm not sure which "essential" Holy Week services I should attend over the next few days. Obviously I can't attend all of them, which seems overkill as an inquirer, but I'd like to make sure I go to the right ones, and ensure I don't show up at something I'm not eligible to attend because I'm not yet baptised.

Any advice? Please see calendar below:

 

[Penitent]

@rouchno1fan you are eligible to attend any of these services. In fact, if you had the energy and inclination you could even attend all of them. I personally go to as many as I can handle without tiring myself out too much. I want to have enough energy to be able to glorify God on Pascha. For this reason I always take Great and Holy Friday off from work, without fail. Some people take the entire week off from work just so they can attend these services.

Bridegroom Matins has some beautiful hymns with an important message that you will likely be pondering in your heart during your hours away from church. You might want to attend this service.

The most important services to attend are the Procession, Matins, and Divine Liturgy on Pascha. Try not to miss these.

Good luck!

 

[Roosh]

How hungry are you for God's grace?

Starving: Only skip Saturday's General Confession

Hungry: Skip Friday Vespers and Saturday's reading of the book of Acts (though I wouldn't)

Barely hungry: Go to Thursday Matins, Friday Matins, Saturday night services starting with Midnight office, Sunday Pascha Vespers

Not hungry at all, rather hug smartphone: Saturday night services starting with Midnight office

Start to "exercise" by attending as much as you can. It will be another year before this cycle of services happens again. You will receive grace the more you go.

 

[DanielH]

Start to "exercise" by attending as much as you can. It will be another year before this cycle of services happens again. You will receive grace the more you go.

Yep. No other time of the year comes close. Go to as many of these services as possible. Words cannot describe how powerful they are. You don't know if you'll be around to see them again.

 

[rouchno1fan]

Thanks all for the advice.

How hungry are you for God's grace?

Ravenous to be honest. I'd go to every single one if it was possible for me, but my personal circumstances prevent me from doing so.

 

[Pete345]

My recommendation would be Thursday, Friday, and the Saturday night vigil (stay as late as possible into Sunday morning). If you only show up for the Sunday Vespers you will not benefit from experiencing the full passion of Holy Week. It will just be "another liturgy".

 

[rouchno1fan]

I went along on Weds evening, and I'm going again tonight, and for all the tomorrow evening/night services, and of course Sunday afternoon.

I've been experiencing a great deal of angst all day Wednesday, and all day today. I have absolutely no idea why. Does anyone else get this? Is it normal?

 

[Roosh]

I went along on Weds evening, and I'm going again tonight, and for all the tomorrow evening/night services, and of course Sunday afternoon.

I've been experiencing a great deal of angst all day Wednesday, and all day today. I have absolutely no idea why. Does anyone else get this? Is it normal?

Any forward movement towards God will get a reaction from the demons. They don't want you to attend services (or pray). This is a great faith building opportunity to ask God for help on any negative states you're experiencing.

 

[Optimus Princeps]

Any forward movement towards God will get a reaction from the demons. They don't want you to attend services (or pray). This is a great faith building opportunity to ask God for help on any negative states you're experiencing.

I can second this and experienced it myself, actually starting when I started doing daily Orthodox prayer a few months before even attending my first liturgy. It went away just by pushing through it but even yesterday I experienced some interference.

I was driving to the Church for the holy friday service and experienced anxiety for no apparent reason. Then my gps somehow took me to a random location 25 minutes from my church and I contemplated just going home but did not after realizing it was likely some kind of interference and the demons wanted me to not go. I talked to another catechumen today and he said he had the same gps anomaly happen to him once as well. So at least for me over time it went away as I kept praying and attending services. Take it as a sign you're on the right path that they are trying to stop you as they need not pay attention to those who already serve them.

Also i'm not sure where to post this but I just wanted to post somewhere that i'm very excited for my first Pascha!

 

[rouchno1fan]

Thanks @Roosh and @Optimus Princeps. I had suspicions it might be as you have described. I suppose one has to also be on guard about falling into pride once realising that the demonic reaction is due to you being on the right track.

 

[Roosh]

Thanks @Roosh and @Optimus Princeps. I had suspicions it might be as you have described. I suppose one has to also be on guard about falling into pride once realising that the demonic reaction is due to you being on the right track.

The main idea is to lean on God and ask him for help concerning all obstacles external and internal. Don't depend on your own powers, because we are all quite weak indeed.