Holy Saturday

The Orthodox Observance of Great And Holy Saturday, and the Feast of the Annunciation (according to the Julian Calendar).

On this Feast of the Annunciation of the Birth-giving of God today, let us remember that this Feast reflects the fullness of Christian teaching, and touches on the mystery of God within us. The Feast is a reminder that we must also give birth to God within ourselves, by cleansing and restoring our ailing human condition through the Medicine of Immortality, wherein we take Christ into our imperfect bodies. In doing so, we allow Christ to purify us from within, as He purified His Mother, when She gave birth with the whole of Her body and being. For this pure and virgin vessel, the Prototype of our salvation, brought forth in mystery God Himself as the Archetype of Perfected Man, Who guides us by Scripture, Holy Tradition, and the example of His Pure Mother, to the fullness of life. Most Holy Theotokos, save us.

On Great and Holy Saturday the Church observes the day on which Christ reposed in the tomb. Foreshadowing this day as the blessed the seventh day, by Moses, the Church sees it the Blessed Sabbath. In other words, this is the day of rest on which the only-begotten Son of God rested from all His works (Vesperal Liturgy of Holy Saturday).

By calling this day the Blessed Sabbath the Church links Holy Saturday with the creative act of God. In the account of creation in the Book of Genesis, God made man in His own image and likeness, and to be truly himself, man was to live in everlasting communion with the dynamic power of that image: God. When humankind fell from God, that image was broken.

By His Holy Resurrection, the Logos (Word), the Son of God through whom all things were created, has come to restore us to communion with God. He has thereby completed creation, and all things are as the Father intended. Having consummated this great act, He rests from all His works, and this day is forever known as the Blessed Sabbath.

With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon

Saturday April 7, 2018 / March 25, 2018
Passion Week: Great Saturday, descent into Hades.
Great Lent. By Monastic Charter: Strict Fast (Bread, Vegetables, Fruits)

The Annunciation of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary.
New Hieromartyr Tikhon, patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (1925).
Venerable Sabbas the New (1948).
“Annunciation” (16th c.) Icon of the Mother of God.
Martyrs Pelagia, Theodosia, and Dula of Nicomedia, who suffered under Valentinian.
Venerable Parthenius of the Kiev Caves (1855).
St. Senuphius the Wonderworker of Latomos (9th c.).
St. Nicander of Pskov (1581).

The Scripture Readings

Luke 1:39-49, 56 Matins Gospel
Hebrews 2:11-18 Theotokos
Luke 1:24-38 Theotokos
1 Corinthians 5:6-8 (Matins, Epistle)
Galatians 3:13-14 (Matins, Epistle)
Matthew 27:62-66 (Matins, Gospel)
Romans 6:3-11
Matthew 28:1-20