The services of Holy Week and Pascha were celebrated with reverence and joy at Three Hierarchs Chapel, with the special blessing of the presence of His Grace the Right Reverend Irinej (Dobrijevic), bishop of the Eastern American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church. His Grace presided over services on Holy Thursday and Holy Saturday.
Here is a photo gallery featuring some highlights of this year’s Holy Week and Great and Holy Pascha at St Vladimir’s Seminary.
Holy Thursday
Old Testament Readings during the Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Holy Thursday
His Grace Bishop Irinej blesses the congregation
His Grace Bishop Irinej says a word at the conclusion of the Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Holy Thursday
The weeping cherry tree in front of the Germack Building in full bloom
His Grace Bishop Irinej blesses the fellowship meal in the refectory after the Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Holy Thursday
Holy Friday
Newly ordained Dn John Rexford (M.Div. ‘26) serves in Three Hierarchs Chapel on Holy Friday
Newly ordained Dn Joseph Winsler (M.Div. ‘24; Th.M. ‘25) reading the Gospel during Vespers on Great and Holy Friday
The Noble Joseph, when he had taken down Your most pure Body from the tree, wrapped it in fine linen, and anointed it with spices, and placed it in a new tomb.
The Rev. Hieromonk Vasily Permiakov censing the winding sheet (sl. plaschanitsa, gr. epitaphios)
The angel standing by the grave cried out to the women: Myrrh is proper for the dead, but Christ has shown himself a stranger to corruption.
Holy Saturday
His Grace Bishop Irinej presiding at the Vesperal Divine Liturgy on Holy Saturday
The Rev. Dn Dr Harrison Basil Russin censes during the epistle reading
Instructor of Liturgical Music Zachariah Mandell directing the mixed choir
Per longstanding tradition, light refreshments are served on the Three Hierarchs Chapel steps at the end of Liturgy on Holy Saturday
Great and Holy Pascha
Thy Resurrection, O Christ our Savior, the angels in heaven sing! Enable us on earth to glorify Thee in purity of heart! The Rev. Dr Alexander Rentel begins the procession at midnight on Holy Pascha.
This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Christ is Risen!
The entire roster of ordained clergy (faculty and seminarians) serving together at the midnight Divine Liturgy for Great and Holy Pascha
Third-year seminarian, Dn Richard Okello, traveled back to Uganda for Pascha this year! Though physically far away, he remained near in spirit, sharing beautiful photos of the festal Liturgy. Here he distributes blessed eggs to children and families.
Dn Richard Okello (M.Div. ‘25) serves in his home parish in Gulu, Uganda, St Basil the Great Orthodox Church, presided by His Grace Nektarios of the Holy Diocese of Gulu and Northern Uganda, the Greek Eastern Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa
Dn Richard Okello has a beautiful story you can read here.
A view of Three Hierarchs Chapel before Agape Vespers on Pascha
A full congregation for Agape Vespers
The Rev. Dr Bogdan Bucur gives the benediction after the conclusion of Agape Vespers
The Rev. Dr Alexander Rentel poses for a Pascha photo with his family
Dr Peter Bouteneff with his friend and colleague, incoming President, Dr Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie
First-year seminarian and assistant photographer Scott Strickland (M.Div. ‘27) enjoyed the Pascha picnic with his wife, Jana, and four children.
Incoming President, Dr Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie, shares in the Paschal joy with his wife, Denisa, and their daughters.
The Paschal community picnic begins in front of the Germack building
The feastday spread included grilled lamb, sausage, veggies, and salad.
Let us be illumined by the feast! Let us embrace each other!
Pascha of beauty, the Pascha of the Lord, A Pascha worthy of all honor has dawned for us.
CHRIST IS RISEN!
Many thanks to Glen Mules, Cory Troy, Scott Strickland, Pavlo Kurganov, and Laura Ionescu for sharing their photos with us!
