Holy Week Services at the Church of St. Nicholas and St. George in Sunnyside

Holy Week is a time when Heaven seems to descend to earth, and the hearts of believers are wrapped in silence, prayer, and tears. At the Church of St. Nicholas and St. George in Sunnyside, these holy days were lived with deep emotion and Christian wisdom, under the guidance of Father Marius and the choir led with grace by Mr. Daniel Grigoraș.

Holy Thursday — The 12 Gospel Readings of the Passion

Holy Thursday is the day when the Church places before us the redeeming drama of our Lord Jesus Christ. The service of the 12 Gospels was performed with special solemnity. In our church, every Gospel reading recited by Father Marius was like a cry of divine love, while the faithful, holding lit candles, listened with open hearts to the account of the crucifixion, suffering, and sacrifice of the Son of God.

Each verse brought tears to the eyes of those present, for nothing can move a heart more than the words spoken by the One who gave His life for us. The hymns sung by the choir, wrapped the entire service in an atmosphere of sacred sorrow and hope.

Holy Friday — The Lamentations at the Tomb (Prohod)

On Holy Friday, the Church becomes a tomb and a garden of prayer. The Lamentations at the Tomb were sung with exceptional sensitivity, the voices of the faithful intertwining with those of the singers, creating an echo of pain and hope. Father Marius carried the Holy Epitaph around the church, surrounded by parishioners whose faces were lit by candles and hearts filled with humble thoughts.

Each verse of the Lamentations was a prayer offered for the whole world, for the living and the departed, for those near and far, for peace of soul, and for the triumph of life over death. It was an evening when the faithful felt more than ever that Christ is truly with us in every suffering.

Holy Saturday — The Resurrection of the Lord

The most awaited night of the year brought the joy of the Resurrection of the Lord to our church. At midnight, Father Marius emerged with the Holy Light, and the darkness of the church was dispelled by the lighted candles, symbolizing the victory of life over death. The choir, gave voice to the hymns of victory: “Christ is Risen from the dead, trampling down death by death.”

The faces of the faithful shone with emotion and gratitude. The tears of sorrow from the previous days were transformed into tears of holy joy. That night, the faithful truly experienced the Resurrection in their hearts, understanding that death does not have the final word, but eternal life in Christ does.

A Community United in Faith

This Holy Week was not only a personal spiritual journey but also a testimony to the unity and love within our community. Under the guidance of Father Marius and with the dedication of the singers, our church truly became a meeting place between heaven and earth.

We thank all those who joined us during these holy days and invite you to continue walking together in faith, for Christ is Risen!