Palm Sunday opens Holy Week—the time immediately preceding the Easter Paschal celebrations.
The events of Holy Week consist of the triumphal entry of the Lord Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, Christ’s final discussions with the Sanhedrin in the temple, Christ’s prophecies about the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world, the Last Supper and the Passion, and finally, the glorious Resurrection. The liturgical rites of these days are composed in such a way as to facilitate the recreation of the events directly related to the mystery of the redemption of the human race, to stimulate reflection and great gratitude, to lead to reconciliation with God in the sacrament of penance, and to renew in the Church the original zeal in the service of God.
Holy Week
- Monday (14.4), Tuesday (15.4), and Wednesday (16.4) of Holy Week are days dedicated to the Sacrament of Reconciliation—there is no special liturgy on these days.
SAINT PASCHAL TRIDUUM
THE PASSION AND RESURRECTION OF THE LORD
- Holy Thursday (17.4): The Church celebrates only one Eucharist in the evening, the so-called Mass of the Lord’s Supper. With the afternoon prayer, the period of Lent ends. The evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper begins the celebration of the Holy Paschal Triduum.
Mass of the Lord’s Supper will begin at 6:00 pm
- Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion (18.4): The Church does not celebrate the Eucharist. Solemn liturgies of the Passion are celebrated in churches, during which the Passion of Christ according to St. John is read, and the Cross is adored, which today is worshiped as much as the Eucharistic Christ (by kneeling).
Everyone is bound by strict fasting—fasting and abstinence from meat foods. Those between the ages of 14 and 18, and those over 60, are only required to abstain from meat. Those between the ages of 18 and 60 should observe not only abstinence but also fasting: three meals, with only one to satiety and two light meals. Sick people are exempt from this obligation.
The liturgy of the Passion of Christ will begin at 6:00 pm
- Holy Saturday (19.4) The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter. The liturgy of the Paschal Vigil is the most solemn of all the liturgies of the year and already belongs to Resurrection Sunday. It thus opens the fifty-day period of Easter joy. As the Paschal Triduum is the center of the entire Church year, so the Paschal Vigil is the center of the Triduum Sacrum.
The liturgy of the PASCHAL VIGIL will begin at 6:00 pm
- The Resurrection of the Lord.
Today, the Church celebrates the greatest feast of the liturgical year.
The joyful chants of “Alleluia,” “Glory to God in the highest” and “Thee, God, we praise” return to the liturgy. The time of abstaining from boisterous revelry also comes to an end. The next 50 days are a time of Easter joy.
Sunday Mass:
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- in Russian at 3:00 PM
- in English at 4:00 PM
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On Tuesday (15.4) and Wednesday (16.4) the chapel WILL BE CLOSED.
There is a meeting in Bishkek of all priests working in Kyrgyzstan with Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop George Panamthundil.