The services of Holy Week continue with Vespers with placing of the Winding Sheet Friday afternoon, followed by Matins of Holy Saturday.  The latter service includes a procession with the Epitaphion.  This "is not a funeral procession.  It is the Son of God, the Holy Immortal, who proceeds through the darkness of Hades, announcing to 'Adam of all generation' the joy of the forthcoming resurrection.  'Rising early from the night," He proclaims, 'The dead shall arise, those in the tombs shall awake, and all those on earth shall greatly rejoice.'"  (From the preface written by Fr. Alexander Schmemann in the Matins of Holy Saturday service book).

On Holy Saturday we celebrate a Vesperal Divine Liturgy revealing the first announcement of the Resurrection to the Myrrhbearing Women!  Please take a moment to review the slideshows from both Holy Friday and Holy Saturday, with gratitude to our seminarian photographers.