Sacraments & Services
Lenten Schedule 2024
Lenten Wednesdays
- 4:00 p.m. – Holy Confession
- 5:30 p.m. – Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
- 7:00 p.m. – Lenten Dinner; Youth Programs; Church School Confession
Lenten Fridays
- 4:00 p.m. – Holy Confession
- 6:00 p.m. – Salutations to the Theotokos (March 22 and 29, April 5 and 12), Akathist Hymn (April 19)
Pan-Orthodox Lenten Vespers, Sundays at 5:00 p.m.; Lenten meal and Fellowship to follow.
- March 24 – Triumph of Orthodoxy, St. Mary’s OCA Cathedral in Minneapolis.
- March 31 – St. Gregory Palamas, St. George Greek Orthodox Church in St. Paul.
- April 7 – Veneration of the Cross, St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in West St. Paul.
- April 14 – St. John of the Ladder, St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis.
- April 21 – St. Mary of Egypt, St. Stephen Romanian Orthodox Church in South St. Paul.
- April 28 – Bridegroom Matins, St. Herman Orthodox Church in Minneapolis.
Orthodox Sacraments
As the Rev. Fr. Thomas Fitzgerald explains, there are special experiences in our life as Orthodox Christians when the perception of God’s presence and actions are heightened and celebrated. We call these events the Church Sacraments. Traditionally, the Sacraments have been known as Holy Mysteries in the Orthodox Church. This description emphasizes that in these special events of the Church, God discloses Himself through the prayers and actions of His people.
The Sacraments of the Orthodox Church are composed of prayers, hymns, scripture lessons, gestures and processions. Many parts of the services date back to the time of the Apostles.
In the Orthodox Church, we recognize seven major Sacraments. In addition to these major Sacraments, there are many other Blessings and Special Services which reflect the Church’s presence throughout the lives of her people, including the Funeral Service, Memorial Service, and Great Blessing of the Water.