Holy Week is a pilgrimage of heart and spirit which helps the faithful commemorative the holiest days of the Christian year. You are invited to make this journey at Saint Gabriel’s Episcopal Parish. When one partakes in Holy Week, they are somehow mysteriously present at the events of the Last Supper, the Agony in the Garden, The Passion and Crucifixion, and the Resurrection of Christ. The Services of each of these holy days are very unique from each other, and are distinguished by particular acts, ancient customs, and sacraments.
Tenebrae is a very symbolic and evocative service characterized by the gradual extinguishing of candles and the dimming of lights until all present are in complete darkness at the end of the service. Themes of good and evil, life and death are explored through scripture and ancient texts. This Service comes to us from the Episcopal Book of Occasional Services and has its origins in the Roman Catholic Church. It is marked by a loud noise at the end which represents the death of Jesus.
Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper and is also the service where the priest washes the feet of his parishioners. This service also contains the ceremonial stripping and washing of the altar and the recitation of the 22nd psalm.
The Chapel Garden of Repose will be in place at the conclusion of the Maundy Thursday liturgy. The Chapel will be open overnight for private prayer and devotion. All are welcome to journey to the peaceful Chapel space to be in the presence of the reserved sacrament. An interior garden of flowers will be set up representing Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and the agony he endured there. All are welcome to keep a private prayer vigil.
Good Friday will have two opportunities for devotion and prayer. This day is the most solemn day in our whole Church calendar. Many choose to fast on this day as a way to bring oneself even closer to the presence of God. This is the day we recall the great sacrifice of Jesus’ death on the cross. The Church will be open for private prayer and devotion all day. At 2:00pm there will be Stations of the Cross in the Main Church followed by the ringing of 33 bells at 3:00pm marking the age and time of death of Jesus. At 7:00pm there will be a solemn Good Friday Service with a complete passion play and veneration of the cross. This service will be accompanied by transcendent music from our choir.
The Easter Vigil is a highlight during Holy Week. This liturgy is ancient and full of symbolism. The great Easter bonfire is one part of this service that will surely make you consider the power of God’s redeeming love. From stories of salvation from the Old Testament, and the creating of the Easter Water, to Holy Baptisms, and the first alleluias of Easter, the Easter Vigil serves to remind us that by virtue of our Baptism, we are saved by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
All of the liturgies listed above take place at 7:00pm. You are welcome to come just as you are. All are encouraged to journey through Holy Week in its entirety.