Explaination of Holy Week?

[KatWrangler]

It has been a long time since I have been in church (I am an ex-Catholic, now Atheist). I need some help with the explanation of Holy Week. My neighbor is Muslim (from Libya) and  is interested in what happens and why. In my foggy brain I have forgotten some of this. Does anyone have a simple explanation?

[Arduinna]

My short answer, we reenact Christ's final days on Earth. The readings this week are from the gospels and cover Christs entry into Jerusalem, his arrest, trial and crucifixion.

[KatWrangler]

But Muslims don't believe Christ was crucified.

[Purple Sage]

And therefore Muslims don't observe Holy Week.  I don't know how you would explain Holy Week in anything other than a Christian context, as in what Christians believe.  Here's a brief explanation.

[KatWrangler]

Originally Posted by Purple Sage 

And therefore Muslims don't observe Holy Week.  I don't know how you would explain Holy Week in anything other than a Christian context, as in what Christians believe.  Here's a brief explanation.

Thank you for the link, that helps.  I can print some off for her to read about.

She is a very nice lady and is trying to learn about this.  I am trying to help her.

Bah, I will have her talk with another lady at the bus stop that attends church. 

[Purple Sage]

Originally Posted by KatWrangler 

Thank you for the link, that helps.  I can print some off for her to read about.

She is a very nice lady and is trying to learn about this.  I am trying to help her.

Bah, I will have her talk with another lady at the bus stop that attends church. 

You're welcome.   

[Arduinna]

Originally Posted by KatWrangler 

But Muslims don't believe Christ was crucified.

so? I'm not sure how what non Christians believe has anything to do with explaining what Christians do during Holy Week. You asked how to explain to her what we do. That is what we do.

oh I guess I could have just ya that'd Purple Sage LOL

[lilyka]

Our Holy Week (Eastern Orthodox)  starts Lazurus Saturday (where we celebrate the resurrections foreshadowing Christ's ultimate victory over death with His resurrection) and moves all the way through Holy Saturday culminating in an the Paschal celebration.  We have  services every night (sometimes two services in a row at night) and sometimes once or twice during the day.  The services focus on scripture readings (I am pretty sure we read most of psalms last night plus several Gospel readings and other Old Testament readings.), hymns, and final Lenten prayers.  We spend time focusing on Christ's last days.  Holy Wednesday is the sacrament of Holy Unction where we pray for healing for our bodies and minds and our parish and cities and the whole world. All Orthodox everywhere do this service (I have only heard of one that skips it) so we come together globally to pray for healing.  It is so powerful.  And everyone is anointed with the Holy Unction oil for healing.  Only Orthodox Christians may receive this though.  Thursday we celebrate the Last Supper and at night we read through the passion of Christ. Friday we start with the Royal hours, in the afternoon we reenact the taking down from the cross (with large icons, its is hard to explain but essentially more scripture reading, hymns, and prayer), and Friday night the service of Lamentations at the Tomb of Christ and Procession with the Epitaphios.  A favorite service of mine.  Its so awesome. Saturday morning we do a Vesperal Liturgy where we celebrate Christ defeating  death, hell and the grave.  The we come to church just before midnight to celebrate the RESURRECTION!!!!   Then we eat meat LOL Then Sunday morning we do Agape vespers where we proclaim the goood news to the whole world. Then we eat more meat and go to bed. Between all the services there is much decorating and preparing the church.  Cleaning it, making floral arrangements, dying eggs, cooking lamb and sweets.....Its is such a huge deal for us that I took the whole week off from work so I didn't have to miss anything.

Many people who blow off Lent (Lent officially concludes before Holy Week begins which is why Orthodox Lent starts before Western Lent) will fast and make confession during Holy Week as well.  Or step up the fast if they have not been keeping it fully.

here are some web pages with more information:

http://lent.goarch.org/

http://www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith8432

http://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_Week

[Tradd]

The epitaphios mentioned in Lilyka's post is most commonly called the Burial Shroud in English. It's an icon painted or embroided on cloth, depicting Christ being taken down from the Cross and being cradled in Mary's arms.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epitaphios_(liturgical)

[lilyka]

Thanks, Tradd, I knew there had to  be an English word for that but didn't even know where to start.

[Tradd]

Originally Posted by lilyka 

Thanks, Tradd, I knew there had to  be an English word for that but didn't even know where to start.

LOL. I tend to use the Greek word, but half the time the Slavs have no clue what I'm talking about. They use plaschanitsa, so I sometimes have to the three terms, depending on who I'm talking to.

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[lilyka]

I posted some pictures of our holy week but changed my mind because other peoples kids were in them.  But if you would like to see them let me know and I will PM you.   

[Purple Sage]

Originally Posted by lilyka 

I posted some pictures of our holy week but changed my mind because other peoples kids were in them.  But if you would like to see them let me know and I will PM you.   

I'd love to see.