Orthodox Parish Announcement
Holy Week & Pascha 2025
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Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,

As we draw near to the most sacred and solemn days of the ecclesiastical year, we prepare our hearts to enter into the Holy and Great Week of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, which culminates in the radiant Feast of His Resurrection.

In this blessed year, the Feast of Holy Pascha as celebrated by the Orthodox Church coincides with that of our Catholic brethren. As such, because the Catholic faithful will require use of the main church, we will be celebrating the evening Holy Week services (Denias) at the Pastoral Centre located at:

📍 Islandbawn Road, corner with Beechmount Avenue, Belfast (This is the same location where we have previously celebrated our parish feast day.)

🗺 For directions: Google Maps Location https://maps.app.goo.gl/oGv31s8PdhCvWVsd9

🕯 Schedule of Holy Week Services

🕎 Thursday, April 17 – 6:30 PM
📍 Pastoral Centre (Islandbawn & Beechmount)
Service of the Twelve Holy Gospels
Followed by the Holy Mystery of Confession

🕎 Friday, April 18 – 6:30 PM
📍 Pastoral Centre (Islandbawn & Beechmount)
The Lamentations at the Tomb (Prohod)
Followed by the Holy Mystery of Confession

🕎 Saturday, April 19 – from 9:00 AM
📍 Pastoral Centre on Falls Road 

• Holy Communion for children unable to commune during the Paschal Liturgy

• Holy Confession

• Blessing and Cutting of the Paschal Bread (Paști) — to be distributed during the Paschal Service.

We are preparing 1,000 cups and kindly ask for volunteers.

🙏 Those wishing to assist, please message us privately to offer your help.

🌅 Saturday, April 19 – 11:30 PM
📍 Main Church (as in previous years) 

The Paschal Vigil – The Service of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ

The faithful shall receive the Holy Light during the service.

The Holy and Divine Liturgy – please make sure you do your confession to Fr. Toma prior to receiving The Holy Communion.
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Let us walk together the path of the Cross, that we may together behold the Light of the Resurrection. May the Lord grant us all a spirit of repentance, peace, and joy, that we may exclaim with one voice on that holy night:
“Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!”

With love in our Risen Lord,
✝️ The Parish Priest
Fr. Toma