Good Shepherd's Chapel, Abbotsford Victoria
Holy Thursday
13th April 2023 A.D. @ 7pm
Quiet prayers and reflection welcomed the congregation as we arrived for Holy Thursday.
The church bells sounded as the liturgy began. Metropolitan Raffaele’s solemn chant resounded before the reading from Corinthians by Father Matthew. The proctominion was proclaimed and then the gospel read. The reading was from the Gospel according to St. Matthew and described the last supper where a woman poured good smelling oil onto Jesus’ hair, and then he washed the feet of his disciples.
Father Mark’s homily reminded us to partake in the Holy Mysteries and to share our love with those we encounter in the world.
The blessing of the Unction Oil followed and this year’s blessed oil was combined with the eternal oil of the Metropolis. The clergy and congregation were anointed with the freshly blessed and combined oil.
Next, Father Mark washed the feet of the clergy as Metropolitan Raffaele chanted. Then the liturgy continued, the gifts were brought to the altar and blessed. The clergy sang a beautiful version of Our Father, before some blessed lambs were stored in boxes for each place of worship. The clergy and congregation were communed, and then the altar was covered in a white shroud and the clergy retired to the altar of repose, where more of the gospel was read. And then we all sat in silence as we considered the sacrifice Jesus has made for us.
Video: Blessing Oil and Washing Feet
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Good Friday
14th April 2023 A.D. @ 7pm
A solitary bell echoed across Abbotsford as this evenings memorial began. Solemn and slow chants reminded us of the last moments before the Lord’s crucifixion as incense filled the air.
The Gospel was read and Father Matthew presented his homily. He reminded us of the tribulations the church family has been through, and to remember that God has a plan for each of us.
The burial service began after his homily - the icon of Christ was removed from the cross and carried to the altar. Then the relic of the True Cross was processed around the church. Then the congregation were invited to venerate the relics.
Next the epitaphios was brought to the center of the church and anointed with perfume and flowers. The epitaphios was then processed around the church and morning prayers were said before the congregation left in silence.
Video: Burial Service and Procession
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Holy Saturday: Pascha
The evening began with the Reading of The Acts of the Apostles in a darkened church. Then Metropolitan Raffaele began the evening vigil prayers.
After the clergy asked forgiveness from each other, the Epitaphios was processed back to the altar and sensed with incense. Then we all waited in darkness for the midnight hour to the sound of cymbals and chants.
The miracle of Jesus' resurrection was remembered at midnight through the ringing of bells and lighting of the trikarion candle. The congregation were invited to light their candles from the trikarion before we all followed Metropolitan Raffaele in a procession to the foyer of the church. The doors were locked and the first Gospel was read. Then "Christ is Risen, Truly He is Risen" was proclaimed before Metropolitan Raffaele bashed on the door with his staff and we were welcomed into the fully illuminated church.
The altar was blessed with incense and song and then the Divine Liturgy began. Metropolitan Raffaele read the Gospel and gave his homily on the importance of welcoming Christ into our hearts.
The gifts were prepared and honoured before being blessed and converted into the Divine Mysteries. Then the clergy took communion and shared it with the congregation. We were invited to venerate the relics of the True Cross and then retired to the foyer to share a bountiful agape with everyone present.
Video: The Ressurection of Christ
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