The King’s Family congregations around the world will join with other Christians in observing the most solemn time in the Christian year, Holy Week, beginning Sunday 16 March.
On Sunday, most of the world’s Christians will begin the observance of Holy Week, the days leading up to the most important of Christian holidays: Easter. (Eastern Orthodox believers, however, will mark this week next month because Easter falls on April 27 according to their ancient Julian calendar.) Each day of Holy Week has a special character because it represents events in the final week of the life of Jesus of Nazareth.
The week starts out dramatically with “Palm” or “Passion” Sunday. This day commemorates Jesus’ “triumphal entry into Jerusalem.” The city was full of pilgrims who had come to celebrate the Jewish feast of Passover, and John’s Gospel tells of his being welcomed as a potential King of Israel.
The story of Holy Week continues on Monday, which remembers Jesus’ famous run-in with the moneychangers in the Temple as recounted in Matthew’s Gospel.
Tuesday focuses on Jesus’ teaching in the Temple; later he stands on a hill above the city, lamenting its destruction.
The next day is sometimes called “Spy Wednesday” because it relates to the time when Judas Iscariot, the unfaithful disciple, agreed to betray Jesus to the Jewish authorities for 30 pieces of silver.
Holy Thursday marks the occasion when Jesus shared the ritual Jewish meal called the “Seder” with his followers, washing their feet to show his humble servant hood. This meal, the so-called “Last Supper,” is the precursor of the Holy Communion Service, a central sacrament in Christianity.
The day is also sometimes called “Maundy Thursday,” from the Latin “mandatum novum” (new commandment). John’s Gospel quotes Jesus telling his disciples, “A new commandment I give you: Love one another.”
Friday is called, somewhat paradoxically, “Good Friday.” It commemorates his trial at the hands of the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, crucifixion and burial in a borrowed tomb.
Holy Saturday (or Easter Even) focuses on the day Christ’s body lay in the tomb. According to the ancient statement of faith known as the Apostles’ Creed, “He descended into hell” during this time.
On Sunday of Resurrection (Easter), Christianity look towards the new life in Christ that we receive by His sacrifice on the Cross and, at the same time, it brings hope for the eternal life with the resurrection of Christ on the third day. It also remains us that we are living in the Third Day.
This is the reason why the King’s Family of Churches around the world, they have preparing to celebrate the Holy Week in many different ways. From Philippines to Chile, this is a time of remember what Jesus Christ did for us, and celebrate His victory in the Cross and His risen life.
Presiding Bishop of the King’s Family, the Rt. Rev. Josep M. Rossello, will write some lectures in Holy Week that they will be posted online.
Authors: Chuck Flagg and Rev Peter Johnson
