As we contemplate Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s Passion, we have a tendency to overemphasize the physical suffering and sacrifice Jesus Christ experience because it is material, tangible and easy to understand. He was spat upon, cursed at, whipped, beaten, humiliated, scourged and finally crucified. But overemphasizing the physical suffering leads to undervaluing the enormous spiritual suffering He experienced during those last days.
Passion Week is celebrated in Holy Church in the observation of the sufferings of the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; it is the week is the week of praises. The path of Lord Jesus’ suffering started since His birth. The prophet Isaiah said, “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” (Isaiah 53:3) Lord Jesus was born in a manger because Saint Joseph the righteous and the Holy Virgin Mary were unable to find room on their way to the registration of Census. (Luke 2: 7)
Dear Children of God how are you? Praise to the Almighty for His mercy and will to keep us alive and peace!
Children, we hope you are well and strong throughout these fasting weeks. How is school and life at home? We assume you are behaving as well as Christian children obeying and respecting you father, mother, siblings and you other elders.
Dear Children! Today we are going to teach you about the last week of ‘The Great Fast’ which is called ‘Passion Week.’
Orthodox Christians around the world begin Passion Week with Hosanna; Palm Sunday. In the Gospel of Saint John Lord and Savior Jesus Christ exultant Entrance into ancient Jerusalem is in scripted as, ‘The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast of Passover heard that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” (Saint John 12:12-15)
No one has the ability of examining the heart, read the thought and see the secrets of the soul except God. This attribute is part of His inestimable knowledge and He alone is Infinite. The Holy Bible confirmed that this quality belongs to only God
Nicodemus was a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews during the Apostasy era, who learned Lord Jesus Christ sermons. This man was a teacher himself but knew that our Lord’s Holy words were the only powerful and true. He use to go Him in the night hour to hear His words seeking to avoid others spotting speaking to Him. He also craved to escape the world of darkness since he saw the light of salvation and life in Christ. Our kind and caring Lord Jesus did not reject but received him with Heavenly instructions. He talked to Nicodemus in a way that encouraged Him to ask questions.
The festival of the Annunciation which was made to our Holy Mother Virgin Mary, by the honorable Angel Gabriel is celebrated in our Holy Church on April 7.
The Redeemer Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was crucified on April 5 to whom is praised in amongst all Christians for He gave His life for our salvation. He suffered much to cleanse our soul and sacrificed himself upon the cross willingly for saving mankind.
The story in scripted in the Matthew’s Gospel is exemplary. A man travelling into a far country who called his own servants and delivered to them his goods. To one servant he gave five talents, to another, two and to the last, one talent according to their ability and straightway went away on his journey. Then the servant who had received the five talents went, traded and made other five talents. Likewise the one who had received two also gained other two. But the servant who had received one went, dogged in the earth and hid his lord’s money.
Our Lord Jesus Christ came into Jerusalem amid “Hosanna,” on March 31 in order for each of the prophets in his time had prophesied concerning Him shall be fulfilled.