April 13, 2025

Entry of our Lord into Jerusalem

Palm Sunday

Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday)

Commemorated on April 13

(OCA) Palm Sunday is the celebration of the triumphant entrance of Christ into the royal city of Jerusalem. He rode on a colt for which He Himself had sent, and He permitted the people to hail Him publicly as a king. A large crowd met Him in a manner befitting royalty, waving palm branches and placing their garments in His path. They greeted Him with these words: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel! (John 12:13).

This day together with the raising of Lazarus are signs pointing beyond themselves to the mighty deeds and events which consummate Christ’s earthly ministry. The time of fulfillment was at hand. Christ’s raising of Lazarus points to the destruction of death and the joy of resurrection which will be accessible to all through His own death and resurrection. His entrance into Jerusalem is a fulfillment of the messianic prophecies about the king who will enter his holy city to establish a final kingdom. “Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of an ass” (Zech 9:9).

Finally, the events of these triumphant two days are but the passage to Holy Week: the “hour” of suffering and death for which Christ came. Thus the triumph in a earthly sense is extremely short-lived. Jesus enters openly into the midst of His enemies, publicly saying and doing those things which mostly enrage them. The people themselves will soon reject Him. They misread His brief earthly triumph as a sign of something else: His emergence as a political messiah who will lead them to the glories of an earthly kingdom.

The liturgy of the Church is more than meditation or praise concerning past events. It communicates to us the eternal presence and power of the events being celebrated and makes us participants in those events. Thus the services of Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday bring us to our own moment of life and death and entrance into the Kingdom of God: a Kingdom not of this world, a Kingdom accessible in the Church through repentance and baptism.

On Palm Sunday palm and willow branches are blessed in the Church. We take them in order to raise them up and greet the King and Ruler of our life: Jesus Christ. We take them in order to reaffirm our baptismal pledges. As the One who raised Lazarus and entered Jerusalem to go to His voluntary Passion stands in our midst, we are faced with the same question addressed to us at baptism: “Do you accept Christ?” We give our answer by daring to take the branch and raise it up: “I accept Him as King and God!”

Thus, on the eve of Christ’s Passion, in the celebration of the joyful cycle of the triumphant days of Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday, we reunite ourselves to Christ, affirm His Lordship over the totality of our life, and express our readiness to follow Him to His Kingdom:

... that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead (Philippians 3:10-11).

Very Rev. Paul Lazor

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Our last Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is this Wednesday at 6 p.m. If you are planning on receiving holy communion, please fast after lunch.

There will be no Inquirers/Catechumen classes the next two weeks (April 5 & 12) so that people can come to confession before Vespers.

Please see the Holy Week Schedule below for upcoming services.

In Christ,

Fr Gregory

The goal of this prayer - and indeed, the goal of the entire Christian life - is freedom: not worldly freedom, but true spiritual liberation from sin. Many people mistakenly believe that Christianity is about restrictions and rules, but in reality, it is about freedom from the chains of sin and passions that enslave us.

When we allow sloth to rule our hearts, we become slaves to laziness and apathy. When we give in to despair, we become prisoners of hopelessness. When we seek power over others, we become trapped in pride and self-glory. When we indulge in idle talk, we lose control over our words and allow them to harm instead of heal.

But when we open our hearts to God through repentance and strive for chastity, humility, patience, and love, we experience true freedom - the freedom of a soul that is no longer weighed down by sin, but alive in Christ.

This is why the Church places this prayer at the heart of Great Lent. Lent is not just about fasting from food; it is about fasting from sin and replacing it with holiness. It is a time of spiritual warfare, a season in which we fight against the passions and strive toward Christ with renewed zeal.

But the struggle does not end with Lent. The battle for holiness continues every day of our lives. This prayer serves as a daily reminder of what truly matters - not wealth, power, or earthly success, but a pure heart that is pleasing to God.

As we conclude, let us take one final lesson from St. Ephraim the Syrian himself. Despite his immense wisdom and holiness, he never saw himself as righteous. He always approached God with deep humility, knowing that the spiritual life is a constant struggle and that only through God’s grace can we truly change.

This is the same attitude we must have. We will stumble, we will fall, and we will fail at times. But we must never give up. Each time we pray this prayer, we are reminded that God is merciful, patient, and always ready to help us begin again.

So let us embrace this prayer not just with our lips, but with our hearts. Let us allow it to reshape our minds, transform our actions, and purify our souls. Let it be our daily guide as we journey toward Christ, who alone grants us true life, true love, and eternal salvation.

May God give us the strength to pray, to repent, and to be transformed. And may the words of this holy prayer lead us ever closer to the Kingdom of Heaven.

This Week at Ss Cyril & Methodius

Wednesday, April 9

• 1:00 PM-5:00 PM: Office Hours/Confessions
• 6:00 PM: Pre-Sanctified Liturgy

Thursday, April 10

• 1:00 PM-5:00 PM: Office Hours/Confession 
• 5:30 PM: Akathist to Our Lady Queen of All
• 6:00 PM: OCF Meeting

Saturday, April 12 (Lazarus Saturday)

• 9:30 AM: Divine Liturgy
• 4:00 PM: Confessions
• 5:00 PM: Great Vespers & blessing of Palms

Sunday, April 6 (Palm Sunday)

• 9:00 AM: Hours
• 9:30 AM: Divine Liturgy
• 6:00 PM: Bridegroom Matins

2025 HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

Saturday, April 12 (Lazarus Saturday)

• 9:30 AM: Divine Liturgy
• 3:00: Confessions
• 5:00 PM: Great Vespers & Blessing of Palms

Sunday, April 13 (Palm Sunday)

• 9:00 AM: Hours
• 9:30 AM: Divine Liturgy
• 6:00 PM: Bridegroom Matins

Monday, April 14 (Great & Holy Monday)

• 6:00 PM: Bridegroom Matins

Tuesday, April 15 (Great & Holy Tuesday)

• 6:00 PM: Bridegroom Matins

Wednesday, April 16 (Great & Holy Wednesday)

• 6:00 PM: Holy Unction

Thursday, April 17 (Great & Holy Thursday)

• 9:30 AM: Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great
• 6:00 PM: Twelve Passion Gospel

Friday, April 18 (Great & Holy Friday)

• 9:00 AM: Royal Hours
• 3:00 PM: Vespers
• 6:00 PM: Lamentations

Saturday, April 19 (Great & Holy Sunday)

• 9:30 AM: Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great
• 10:00 PM: Paschal (Easter) Liturgy
• Midnight: Blessing of Baskets & Paschal Meal

Sunday, April 20 (Great & Holy Pascha)

• 1:00 PM: Agape Vespers & Potluck

Palm Sunday Liturgy

The First Antiphon

I love the Lord because He has heard the voice of my supplication. (Ps. 114:1)

Refrain: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us!

Because He inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call on Him as long as I live. (Ps. 114:2) (Refrain)

The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of hell laid hold on me. (Ps. 114:3) (Refrain)

I suffered distress and anguish, then I called on the Name of the Lord. (Ps. 114:4a) (Refrain)

I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living. (Ps. 114:9) (Refrain)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, 

and unto ages of ages. Amen. (Refrain)

The Second Antiphon

I kept my faith, even when I said, “I am greatly afflicted.” (Ps. 115:1)

Refrain: O Son of God, seated on the colt of an ass, save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia!

What shall I render to the Lord for all the things He has given me? (Ps. 115:3) (Refrain)

I will receive the cup of salvation, and call upon the Name of the Lord. (Ps. 115:4) (Refrain)

I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people. (Ps. 115:5) (Refrain)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

(“Only-begotten Son and immortal Word of God… “)

The Third Antiphon

O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endures forever. (Ps. 117:1)

Tone 1 Troparion

By raising Lazarus from the dead before Thy Passion, Thou didst confirm the universal resurrection, O Christ God. Like the children with the palms of victory, we cry out to Thee, O Vanquisher of Death: “Hosanna in the highest!//Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord.”

Let the house of Israel say that He is good; for His mercy endures forever. (Ps. 117:2)

Troparion of the Feast

Let the house of Aaron say that He is good; for His mercy endures forever. (Ps. 117:3)

Troparion of the Feast

Let those who fear the Lord say that He is good; for His mercy endures forever. (Ps. 117:4)

Troparion of the Feast

Entrance Verse

Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord. God is the Lord and He has revealed Himself to us. (Ps. 117:25b-26)

Tone 1 Troparion

By raising Lazarus from the dead before Thy Passion, Thou didst confirm the universal resurrection, O Christ God. Like the children with the palms of victory, we cry out to Thee, O Vanquisher of Death: “Hosanna in the highest!//Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord.”

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

 Tone 4 Troparion

When we were buried with Thee in baptism, O Christ God, we were made worthy of eternal life by Thy Resurrection. Now we praise Thee and sing: “Hosanna in the highest!//Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord!”

now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Tone 6 Kontakion

Sitting on Thy throne in Heaven, carried on a foal on earth, O Christ God, accept the praise of angels and the songs of children, who sing://“Blessed is He Who comes to recall Adam!”

Epistle:  Philippians 4:4-9

Brethren, rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Gospel:  John 12:1-18

Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”

Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.

The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:

“Hosanna!

‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’

The King of Israel!”

Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written:

“Fear not, daughter of Zion;

Behold, your King is coming,

Sitting on a donkey’s colt.”

His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.

Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness. For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign.

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(Instead of “It is truly meet…,” we sing:)

God is the Lord and has revealed Himself to us!

Celebrate the feast and come with gladness!

Let us magnify Christ with palms and branches,

singing: “Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord, our Savior!” 

Communion Hymn

Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord. God is the Lord and has revealed Himself to us. (Ps. 117:26b, 27b)

By the age of 25, about 60% of those baptized as infants will no longer consider themselves members of the Orthodox Church. A parish on a university campus is an important witness not only to the surrounding community but also to high school age and younger parishioner. Establishing a parish on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison helps remind young people that graduating high school doesn't mean "graduating" from the Church. Please consider joining those who have committed their time, treasure and talent in establishing an Orthodox community on the Isthmus.

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