Holy Week & Pascha

Looking for service and event times during Holy Week and Pascha? You can find everything on our calendar page. We’ve also provided a downloadable PDF of the full service schedule and an iCal subscription link so you can stay up to date on your devices.

We are grateful to welcome so many people this week as we prepare for and celebrate our Lord’s Resurrection. To help with the larger crowds, we’ve added extra chairs in the nave and set up overflow seating in the old church and parish hall foyer. We will also have an outdoor overflow area for the Pascha service on Saturday night. A few seats will also be available in the Narthex, but space there will be limited to keep traffic flowing.

The Quiet Room off the Narthex is needed for nursing moms or calming younger children—it is not intended for general seating or play.

• Kitchen Closed: The church kitchen will be closed during Holy Week and Pascha. Please don’t plan to use the appliances (including the fridge), utensils, or prep areas. This space will be used for preparing flowers, eggs and other items for Holy Week and needs to remain clear.
• School Excuse Notes: If you need an excuse note for yourself or your child to attend Holy Friday services, fill out this form and we’ll get it taken care of for you.
• Clean-Up Reminder: After the Bread and Wine on Saturday morning, the Paschal Feast on Sunday morning or Agape Picnic on Sunday afternoon, please clean up after yourself and take out your own trash. Cleaning stations will be set up, and we’ll have an extra dumpster available in the parking lot.
• Lost & Found: Any personal items left in the church or hall between services will be placed in the Lost and Found, located in the parish hall foyer.

Overflow parking is available in the marked grassy area, and ushers will be on hand to help as needed. If you’re able to carpool—especially on Pascha—it will help us make room for everyone.

In addition to handicap spots, we have reserved a few extra spaces near the building for those who need closer access.

We have a limited number of service books available. Please return them to the Narthex after each service so we can reuse them next year. If you’re able, share with someone nearby.

All services will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel for anyone who cannot attend in person.

Our Antiochian Women have created a wonderful resource with practical ideas for entering into Holy Week and Pascha at St. Ignatius. Whether you’re new to the church, attending on your own, or coming with family, this guide offers meaningful ways to engage throughout the week.

Holy Unction
As a reminder, Holy Unction is a sacrament and only Orthodox Christians may receive the anointing, however, everyone is encouraged to attend and pray with us.

Passion Gospels
During the reading of the Passion Gospels, ribbons will be available for children to tie a knot after each Gospel is read. It’s a simple but meaningful way to help kids—and adults—stay present and engaged during this longer service.

Royal Hours & Bier Decorating
Bier decorating will take place before or after the Royal Hours this year—not during the service. This helps us keep the focus on the prayers and readings without distractions. If you’d like to help decorate, please bring your own flowers, with stems trimmed to 2–3 inches.

Teen SOYO Vigil

Our teens will hold an all-night vigil following the Friday evening service—a time to keep watch, pray, and prepare their hearts for the Resurrection.

Once the service ends, the church building will become a dedicated space for Teen SOYO and approved chaperones. If you’re not part of the vigil, we kindly ask that you head out after the service so they can begin.

Teens (or parents of teens): if you plan to stay for the vigil, please use the button below to sign up and let Tyson know you’ll be there.

The front doors will open at 9:00 PM. If you plan to arrive earlier, please line up outside. The clergy, staff, and volunteers need time and space to finish setting up before the doors open and services begin. Please Note: If you’re bringing a Pascha basket or setting up a table for the feast, you’re welcome to do that earlier in the evening in the parish hall or tent.

As you enter and wait for the Rush service, the nave should remain quiet and prayerful. Please avoid conversations and help maintain reverence.

This year, we are offering reserved seating in the nave for those age 65 and older and their spouse. If you’d like to request a seat, please fill out the form using the button below.

All other seating first comes, first served. Overflow seating will be available in the old church, the parish hall foyer, and outside. Ushers will be helping people find seats, so please scoot in and fill every available spot. We really appreciate everyone’s flexibility and cooperation as we work to make space for all.

The Narthex will not have extra seating, and paths to the Quiet Room and bathrooms must remain open. Standing in the hallway is allowed, but please keep walkways clear at all times. Christi and the usher team will be directing as needed—thank you for following their guidance to help keep things safe and smooth.

The Paschal procession will take a longer route this year, using the road instead of the sidewalk near the church. Ushers will guide the movement throughout the procession.

Pascha baskets should remain at your table in the hall or tent during the service. At the end, Fr. Philip will bless the food from inside the church, and the clergy will distribute red eggs as part of the dismissal.

Help us prepare for the Feast by signing up for a table in the parish hall or tent! Use the link below to reserve your spot and view a photo of the table layout. This helps us ensure there’s enough space for everyone to celebrate together after the Pascha service.

AW members will also be available in the hall on Sunday to assist with in-person sign-ups if you’d prefer to do it that way.

If you’re new or unsure where to sit, don’t worry—we’d be happy to help you find a table and connect with others.

Join us after Agape Vespers for a festive BBQ meal! To help us prepare enough food, please let us know you’re coming by filling out the RSVP form below by Wednesday, April 16 at 9:00 AM.

We’re suggesting a donation of $8 per person or $30 per family, and we also ask that you bring a dessert to share. There will be two dessert tables: one for items with nuts and one for nut-free desserts. Please label your dish clearly to help us avoid any allergy concerns.

The egg hunt is open to children ages 2–12, and will be divided into the following age groups:

• Toddlers: ages 2–3
• Little Kids: ages 4–6
• Big Kids: ages 7–9
• Pre-teens: ages 10–12

To participate, please bring 12 filled eggs per child and drop them off in the age-labeled bins outside the Old Temple starting April 13.

Egg Filling Guidelines:

• No candies with nuts
• No loose candy (like M&Ms or jelly beans)
• No tiny toys or choking hazards
• Stickers and temporary tattoos are great options!

Each age group will have a special golden egg, so bring a big basket!
If you have any questions, contact Jenna Hearn

If you’d like to participate in reading the Gospel in another language during Agape Vespers, please sign up below by April 16.

We’ve included as much information as possible on this page to help you navigate Holy Week and Pascha. If you still have questions—or if you want to stay in the loop with live updates and reminders throughout the week—we’re here to help and easy to reach.