Journey to Pascha

Opening Prayer

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Troparion (Tone 1)
By raising Lazarus from the dead before Thy passion, 
Thou didst confirm the universal resurrection, O Christ God.
Like the children, with the palms of victory,
We cry out to Thee, O Vanquisher of Death,
Hosanna in the Highest!
Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord.

Scripture Activity: Attitudes

Divide the class into  groups of 3 or 4 and ask the groups to read the Resource text on the raising of Lazarus. Ask the groups to discuss what, if any, differences they see in the attitudes of the sisters Mary and Martha after their brother dies and Jesus arrives. Let them share their conclusions. (Possible ideas: In the first verses, Martha needs to act, while Mary is able to be still and contemplate. Martha seeks out Jesus with many words, while Mary waits till He calls for her and then says only a few words to Him. Martha almost seems reproachful; Mary  seems more peaceful, though very sad.)

Journal Activity

• Tell students to consider this sentence from the Vespers of Lazarus Saturday:

We have completed the forty days which profit our souls.

• Ask students to prepare to discuss how the forty days "profit our souls" and why in looking to the Journey to Pascha that begins on Lazarus Saturday we need to have our souls prepared.

• Ask students to write thoughts in their personal journal to use in the discussion to follow. They might note how they do or do not observe the Great Fast and what they learned about their relationship to Christ as well as share their understanding about the benefits, struggles and reasons for observing the Lenten discipline.

Discussion Starter

Discussion Question

• Ask students to discuss the different ways people respond to events like illness, sudden hardship, loss of a family member or friend. The students might include what they learned about Mary’s and Martha’s reactions to the death of their brother and Jesus' visit.  Ask them also to consider what Jesus was trying to teach the people through His actions when Lazarus died. (Let them come up with their own answers. One important point is that Jesus tells us that He is showing people God's glory by raising Lazarus. People should not despair over death, even though it is real, because it is not the final end.)

Our Pledge

Review Questions

• How does participation in the events of Lazarus Saturday bring us to our own moment of life and death and entrance into the Kingdom of God?
• What are three pledges that we make on the eve of Christ’s passion?
• How does the citation from Philippians 3:10-11 teach us what our relationship with Christ should be?

Wrap Up

Closing Prayer

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Troparion (Tone 1)
By raising Lazarus from the dead before Thy passion, 
Thou didst confirm the universal resurrection, O Christ God.
Like the children, with the palms of victory,
We cry out to Thee, O Vanquisher of Death,
Hosanna in the Highest!
Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord.

Opening Prayer

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Troparion (Tone 1)
By raising Lazarus from the dead before Thy passion, 
Thou didst confirm the universal resurrection, O Christ God.
Like the children, with the palms of victory,
We cry out to Thee, O Vanquisher of Death,
Hosanna in the Highest!
Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord.

Review

Tell students to recall the story of the Raising of Lazarus and Jesus' Entry into Jerusalem and in their personal jounal cite a conversation or event from the story that made them think about something, or revealed something to them.

The Entry into Jerusalem

Read the Ouspensky/Lossky hand-out: The Entry into Jerusalem.

At least one icon of the Entry into Jerusalem should be visible to students as the reading is done so they can see what they are reading about. (You can find two different ones in the Resource section, or use one or more of your own.) Tell students to highlight the different groups of people in the icon and any information about what they are doing and why.

Discussion Starter

Discussion Questions

• Describe the interaction  of Jesus and the crowd as He entered Jerusalem.
• What do you think is the underlying motivation for the actions of each person or group of persons in the icon?
• How would you have reacted to this unusual entrance? Why?
• Do you think most of the people in the crowd understood why Jesus had come to the world? Were their expectations in line with His words preparing them for his soon-to-come betrayal and death?
  

Note: Let students come up with their own answers to these questions. There are really no right or wrong answers.

Activity

On the poster board, using one person in the class as a recorder, use the accounts of Matthew (Ch 21-26:5) and Luke (19:28-22:2) to outline the events in the Gospels from Jesus' Triumphal Entry to the City of Jerusalem to the eve of His Passion, and highlight the events (or specific passages) that provoked His arrest and trial.

Wrap Up

Closing Prayer

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Troparion (Tone 1)
By raising Lazarus from the dead before Thy passion, 
Thou didst confirm the universal resurrection, O Christ God.
Like the children, with the palms of victory,
We cry out to Thee, O Vanquisher of Death,
Hosanna in the Highest!
Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord.

Opening Prayer

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O Heavenly King, the comforter, the Spirit of truth,
Who art everywhere and fillest all things,
Treasury of blessings and giver of life,
Come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every purity,
And save our souls, O Good One.

Parables

Tell students to read in groups pp 2-3 of My Guide to Holy Week and the Feast of Palms resource handout to recall the parables that Christ taught.  Ask a volunteer to read the parable of the talents from the Bible: Matthew 25:14-30.

Discussion Starter

Discussion Questions

• Describe the importance of finding ways to increase our hopefulness and preparedness.
• What are things that might keep us from doing this?
• Reflect on the level of hopefulness and preparedness that someone has for a wedding or other big event in life. Compare it to the level of anticipation to enter the Kingdom of God.
  

A Reading

Read together the following:

Whenever Jesus spoke about the end of the present age, of the Last Judgment, and of his Second Coming, he spoke with an absolute certainty that these events would take place, and therefore he put stress on readiness or watchfulness.The word "watch" in Jesus' sayings and parables refers to the last days. "Watch therefore--for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning" (Mk. 13:35.) "That day" will come suddenly; therefore "watch at all times" (Lk. 21:34.) "For the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" (Mt. 24:44.) From The Passion of Christ, Veselin Kesich, SVS Press, 2004.

Reading Reflection

Ask students to consider and discuss their understanding of the meaning of "watch" as it appears in the passage you have read. Does it have physical, spiritual, and emotional dimensions? If so, what are some of these? (Let them give their own answers.)

Wrap Up

Closing Prayer

Beware, therefore, O my soul,
do not be weighed down with sleep,
lest you be given up to death,
and lest you be shut out of the Kingdom.

But rouse yourself, crying:
"Holy! Holy! Holy!
Art Thou, O our God,
through the Theotokos,
have mercy on us!

Hymn from the Bridegroom Services of Holy Week

Thy Bridal Chamber I see adorned, O my Savior,
but I have no wedding garment that I may enter.
O Giver of Light, enlighten the vesture* of my soul, and save me.

*Note: Because "vesture" is not a commonly used term, the students might be interested to note that, as used in this hymn, "vesture" refers to something covering the outside, or clothing. If time permits, ask students to consider why we might ask our Savior to "enlighten the vesture of my soul"

Opening Prayer

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O Heavenly King, the comforter, the Spirit of truth,
Who art everywhere and fillest all things,
Treasury of blessings and giver of life,
Come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every purity,
And save our souls, O Good One.

Discussion Starter

Divide the class into  groups of 3 or 4 and ask them to read Matthew 26: 6-16 together. Then ask them to reflect together on the attitudes of the woman and of Judas. How does she seem to feel about love, and about the use of money? How does Judas feel about these things? Have each group make a list of 5 adjectives describing the woman, and 5 describing Judas.

As a a further source for the students' reflection, put these verses from the Matins of Holy Wednesday on the chalkboard:

While the sinful woman brought oil of myrrh, the disciple came to an agreement with the transgressors

She rejoiced to pour out what was very precious, he made haste to sell the One who is above price

She acknowledged Christ as Lord, he severed himself from the Master

She was set free, but Judas became the slave of the enemy.

Ask a representative of each group to share the results of their group's findings, and have the whole class discuss them. What adjectives do they find especially appropriate, and why? Are there some adjectives that most groups came up with?

Personal Reflection

Tell the students to write in their personal journals their reaction to the study and discussion of the attitudes of Judas and the sinful woman. They might want to evaluate their own attitudes based on what they have learned. They also might want to think of what they would change in their life because of what they learned.

Hymn Review

By recitation, singing or listening to a tape request the students to review the text of the Eucharistic prayer of St. Basil the Great and the hymn sung just before Communion in place of the hymn to the Theotokos.

Eucharistic Prayer of St. Basil the Great
Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God,
Accept me today as a communicant,
For I will not speak of Thy Mystery to Thine enemies,
Neither like Judas will I give Thee a kiss;
But like the thief will I confess Thee:
Remember me, O lord, in Thy Kingdom.

Canon of St. Cosmas (9th ode)
Come, O faithful, Let us enjoy the Master's hospitality:
The Banquet of Immortality!
In the upper chamber with uplifted minds,
Let us receive the exalted words of the Word, Whom we magnify!

Prayer Reflection

Ask students to consider the words "upper room" and "uplifted" and "exalted." Why are these words used in the Canon of Saint Cosmas, and what are they telling us about how we are supposed to be?

Group Work

Have the students work in groups of 3 or 4 again. Have them read Matthew 16:21-23,19: 23-30, and 26:57-75. Ask each group to write a "letter to a friend" from Peter, telling how each of the encounters affected his understanding of the mission of Jesus Christ. If he gets a chance to apologize to Jesus for abandoning Him, what does he think Jesus' reaction will be?

Prayer Reflection

Have students look again at the eucharistic prayer of Saint Basil. Like Peter, we need guidance in understanding the mission of Jesus Christ. Discuss: How does this prayer help us understand?

Activity

Have groups share their "letters from Peter" with the whole class.

Wrap Up

Invite students--any who care to--to share a new insight they have received during this class session.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God,
Accept me today as a communicant,
For I will not speak of Thy Mystery to Thine enemies,
Neither like Judas will I give Thee a kiss;
But like the thief will I confess thee:
Remember me, O Lord, inThy Kingdom.

Opening Prayer

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O Heavenly King, the comforter, the Spirit of truth,
Who art everywhere and fillest all things,
Treasury of blessings and giver of life,
Come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every purity,
And save our souls, O Good One.

Activity

Have each student make a chart with two columns:

• Column A:  list the events from objective 1
• Column B: write their ideas about each event helped to accomplish Christ's work on earth

If you have a large class, this could be an activity for pairs or groups.

Ask students to compare their charts and explain why they wrote what they did about each event.

Discussion Starter

Direct students to reflect on the example of Jesus on the Cross.  When He was on the Cross, He still showed love and concern for others, particularly Mary, His mother, whom He entrusted to the care of John, the youngest disciple. 

Ask students to consider those for whom they are responsible, and in their journals list things they need or want to do for others.

Scripture Reflection

Have students read Mark 14: 53-65. Reflect together on these questions: Why do you think Jesus was silent? Is there any similarity between this trial and any of the trials we know about in our own time? If so, what does this tell us about Our Lord's willingness to put Himself at the mercy of His people?

Activity: Psalm 22

Discussion

Consider the words about Christ’s death from the introduction to the service book for the Vespers of Holy Friday:

At this ultimate solemn moment of Vespers, the theme of hope once again occurs---this time more strongly and clearly than ever.  As knees are bent and heads are bowed, and often tears are shed, another troparion is sung which penetrates through this triumph of evil, to the  new day which is contained in its very midst:

The Angel came to the myrrh-bearing women at the tomb and said: “Myrrh is fitting for the dead, but Christ has shown Himself a stranger to corruption.”

A new Age is dawning.  Our salvation is taking place.  The One who died is the same One who will rise on the third day, to “trample down death by death.” And to free us from corruption.

Therefore, at the conclusion of Holy Friday Vespers, at the end of this long day of darkness, when all things are apparently ended, our eternal hope for salvation springs forth.  For Christ is indeed a stranger to corruption…

Discuss why at this darkest moment the theme of hope occurs.

Wrap Up

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen

The noble Joseph,
When he had taken down
Thy most pure Body from the tree,
Wrapped it in fine linen,
And anointed it with spices,
And placed it in a new tomb.

Opening Prayer

Discussion Starter

Look together at the image of Christ on the cross from the Resources. Then discuss these questions:

How do the words of the hymn in the Opening Prayer reflect the love of Jesus for His mother that we have talked about before? What promise does He make? (He promises not only that He will rise, but also that He will exalt those people who honor her.)

Activity

Ask students to reflect on the section "The Transition" in the Resource Great and Holy Saturday. Why is the word "transformed" important?

Discussion Questions

• After reading the whole Great and Holy Saturday resource and the section on Great and Holy Saturday in My Guide to Holy Week and the Feast of Palms together, discuss:

• How does the real meaning and nature of the Great and Holy Sabbath (Great and Holy Saturday) contrast with what many perceive the day to be?
• Do you think most people know that in Orthodox teaching (and in ancient Christianity) the "Sabbath" is Saturday rather than Sunday?
• How would you say the character of the Great and Holy Sabbath, as presented in Father Schemann's description, is related to the character of a Christian life?
• How do the parts of the Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Holy Saturday teach us the meaning of our journey to Pascha?

Activity

On the foam board make three sections. Put three titles: Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Pascha. Select a student to write emotions, suggested by class members,  that each day elicits.

Wrap Up

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Christ is Risen from the dead,
Trampling down death by death,
And upon those in the tombs, Bestowing life.