Paschal Guide 2025

This guide provides important details about our Holy Week and Pascha celebrations at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Tacoma. Here you’ll find service schedules, potluck plans, and opportunities to contribute to the beauty and joy of Pascha. May this season be a time of spiritual renewal and celebration!

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Church Locations

  • Tacoma Services: Holy Resurrection Church, 8710 28th Ave E, Tacoma, WA 98445
  • Wilkeson Services: Holy Trinity Temple, 431 Long St, Wilkeson, WA 98396

Confession

  • Please complete your confession before Holy Wednesday. Do not wait until the last minute!

Potlucks & Feast Day Meals

  • Lazarus Saturday (April 12): Lenten potluck following Divine Liturgy.
  • Palm Sunday (April 13): Feast day dinner. Fish will be provided; donations accepted. Please bring sides, salads, sweets, and drinks. Wine & oil allowed.
  • Pascha Morning (April 20): After Midnight Service: Bring easy-to-serve finger foods. No fasting.
  • Pascha Afternoon (April 20): After Agape Vespers: A grand feast! We will have roast pork. Please bring additional meats, side dishes, desserts, and drinks. Use disposable containers and take home leftovers. No stoves available.
    • Bring: Musical instruments, yard games, frisbees, blankets, chairs, and friends!
    • Cleanup Help Needed: Join us at 4:30 p.m. to tidy up!

Paschal Flowers

Your donations help beautify the church! A collection box will be in the back of the church.

Attire

  • Palm Sunday & Pascha: Wear bright clothing.
  • Holy Week: Dark clothing in reverence for the Passion of Christ.

Choir Rehearsals

  • Saturday, April 12 (12:30 p.m.): Palm Sunday and Pascha rehearsals. Attendance is essential.

Palm Sunday (April 13-14)

  • Saturday 6:30 p.m.: Vespers
  • Sunday 9:00 a.m.: Matins & Divine Liturgy with procession
  • Potluck following Liturgy: Fish, wine & oil allowed
  • 6:30 p.m.: Bridegroom Matins & Confessions

Holy Week Services

Monday - Wednesday (April 14-16):

  • 10:00 a.m.: Presanctified Liturgy
  • 6:30 p.m.: Bridegroom Matins & Confessions

Holy Thursday (April 17):

  • 2:00 p.m.: Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil (Wine & oil allowed)
  • 6:30 p.m.: Matins with the Twelve Passion Gospels

Holy Friday (April 18):

  • 10:00 a.m.: Royal Hours (Strict fast)
  • 2:00 p.m.: Vespers – Taking Down from the Cross
  • 6:30 p.m.: Matins – Lamentations & Procession

Holy Saturday (April 19):

  • 12:00 p.m.: Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil (Wine allowed)
  • 9:00 p.m.: Reading of the Acts of the Apostles
  • 11:30 p.m.: Nocturnes

PASCHA – The Resurrection of Our Lord (April 20)

  • 12:00 a.m.: Paschal Procession, Matins & Divine Liturgy
    • Pascha Baskets blessed afterward
    • Bring simple foods for a break-fast gathering
  • 1:30 p.m.: Agape Vespers – Gospel read in many languages
  • Easter Treat Hunt: Donations of candy & small gifts welcome
  • Paschal Feast in the backyard: Join the grand celebration!

Bright Week Services

  • Bright Monday (April 21, 10:00 a.m.): Paschal Liturgy in Wilkeson followed by brunch in Sumner
  • Bright Wednesday (April 23, 9:30 a.m.): Feast of St. George, potluck after Liturgy
  • Bright Saturday (April 26, 10:00 a.m.): Paschal Divine Liturgy & Parish Altar Feast Day

Additional Notes

Help Us Read!

  • Holy Saturday (April 19, 12:00 p.m.): Volunteers needed to read Old Testament lessons
  • Holy Saturday Evening (9:00 p.m.): Acts of the Apostles read by the faithful
  • Paschal Agape Vespers (April 20, 1:30 p.m.): Gospel read in multiple languages – contact Dn. Stephen

Pascha Baskets

  • Baskets are blessed after the Paschal service. Use a white cloth to cover your food items.

Eggs for Pascha

  • Bring dyed eggs by April 18. Traditional Greek red dye available in the bookstore.

Candles

  • Candles are held during key services (Holy Thursday, Holy Friday, and Pascha).
  • Special Paschal candles available at the back of the church.

Bookstore

  • Our Holy Trinity Bookstore has service books and Pascha-related materials.

We look forward to celebrating the joy of Christ’s Resurrection with you! May this Pascha bring blessings and renewal to all.

Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church
Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!

Inquirer's Class

An introduction to the Orthodox faith is taught most Saturday afternoons at 5:00 p.m. Please see our Inquirer's Class Schedule for more information.

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