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)
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 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.
Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”And Jesus answered…
The Impotent Man embedded for 38 years was desperately seeking strength and restoration of his capacity. He was stuck to the ground for probably more than half of his life and his status by the pool of Bethesda describes how the “very sinful sin” can paralyze our inner man who was born of God in His own image.
Jerusalem where Our Lord Jesus Christ was born, circumcised, baptized, and lived for thirty three years for fulfilling the vow of salvation of mankind was a blessed city. Being the reason during the apostasy era, the Lord preached that many were saved and healed with His divine power. Though before His forthcoming heresies and pagans surfaced, His spread of ‘The Gospel’ called thousands and thousands to the House of God for eternal life. His words, preaching and miraculous spread all over the world, bringing them to witness His presence in His birth town.
But though there were others who denied Him being ‘The Holy Son of The Holy Father’ and refused to accept His words. They even tried to destroy His house ‘Holy Temple.’ Especially Jews were His foremost enemies which later on even were the ones to crucify Him. Even though His will was upon their deed for He had to sacrifice His life in saving us. This being the reality, Lord Jesus forbidden all evilness whilst His reside on earth.
Holy is a word that expresses the notion of purity and righteousness. All creatures of “The Holy Father, The Holy Son and The Holy Spirit” shall be Holy as He created us as in His image and embodiment.
His Love and Passion driving Him on earth for the salvation of mankind, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ came from heaven to hunger, suffer and die in giving His life in return of us.