Holy Week signals the end of the Lenten period of separation, and a return to the full life of the church. The coming Holy Week will go forward in the Eastern Diocese with provision for in-person worship as well as the online broadcast of services.
St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral will be open to the public throughout Holy Week. The series of special Holy Week services, culminating in Easter Sunday on April 9, 2023, will be broadcast to the public over the St. Vartan Cathedral Facebook page.
The schedule of services is as follows:
PALM SUNDAY, the commemoration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, falls on April 2. Fr. Davit Karamyan (Vicar of St. Vartan Cathedral) will be the celebrant for the services, which will begin streaming over Facebook at 10 a.m. The Turen-patzek or “Door-Opening” Service will be held after the Divine Liturgy. A special Palm Sunday Children’s Blessing service will take place on the cathedral’s outdoor plaza following the Turen-patzek service. Children are invited to take part in this meaningful service and enjoy a special program and reception.
On HOLY TUESDAY, April 4, a Vespers service in remembrance of the Ten Virgins, will begin at 6 p.m.
April 6 is GREAT AND HOLY THURSDAY, and the day’s services memorialize the Last Supper, Jesus’ vigil in the Garden of Gethsemane, his arrest and trial. Two separate services will be celebrated on this day. In the morning, the Divine Liturgy will begin at 10 a.m.
In the evening, the “Washing of the Feet” ceremony will start at 6:30 p.m., with the Khavaroom or Vigil Service following at 8 p.m. During the Washing of Feet ceremony, twelve individuals from the community will stand in place of the apostles.
The crucifixion and death of Christ will be marked on April 7—GREAT AND HOLY FRIDAY—and two services will take place. The Order of the Crucifixion of Christ will begin at 12 noon. That same evening, at 6 p.m., the Order of the Entombment of the Lord, or Taghoom Service, will take place.
April 7 is also the fixed date for the annual observance of the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary. In accordance with the rubrics governing Holy Week services, the Divine Liturgy will not be celebrated on Annunciation Day, although the hymn to the Holy Virgin Mary will be sung as part of the day’s ceremonies.
On GREAT AND HOLY SATURDAY, April 8, the scripture-reading ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Jrakalouyts (“Lamp-Lighting”) Badarak.
Finally, the drama of Holy Week will culminate on EASTER SUNDAY, April 9: the central holy day of the Christian calendar, commemorating the discovery of Christ’s empty tomb and the news of his resurrection. The Divine Liturgy will begin at 10 a.m., with Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan celebrating the liturgy and delivering the homily, for the first time in his capacity as Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America.
Plans call for the cathedral’s Easter service to conclude in the “Release of Doves” ceremony on the plaza, resuming a longstanding Easter tradition after its suspension during the pandemic years.
A reception for the public will take place in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium following the Easter Sunday Badarak.
All of the Holy Week services at St. Vartan Cathedral will be broadcast over the cathedral Facebook page, with East Sunday services broadcast in addition over the Eastern Diocese’s YouTube platform. Parishes around the Eastern Diocese may have their own schedule of in-person and online services; contact your local parish for details.
Quick Reference Holy Week Schedule
Holy Week services at St. Vartan Cathedral and all local parishes of the Eastern Diocese will be in compliance with local public health guidelines. Under present conditions regulations have been relaxed, and mask-wearing in the sanctuary is optional.
Keep apprised of updates to this schedule, and find inspirational messages and news, on the Eastern Diocese’s website and Facebook page.
APRIL 2: Palm Sunday Badarak, 10 a.m. Fr. Davit Karamyan celebrating.
APRIL 4: Holy Tuesday Vespers service, 6 p.m.
APRIL 6: Holy Thursday “Washing of Feet” service, 6:30 p.m. / Khavaroom service, 8 p.m.
APRIL 7: Holy Friday Crucifixion service, 12 noon / Burial Service, 6 p.m.
APRIL 8: Holy Saturday Scripture Reading and Jrakalouyts service, 6:30 p.m.
APRIL 9: Easter Sunday Badarak, 10 a.m. Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate, celebrating.
All services will be broadcast over the St. Vartan Cathedral Facebook page. Easter Sunday services will be broadcast additionally on the Eastern Diocese’s YouTube page.