HolyTransfigurationOrthodoxChurcH

The best way to learn about Orthodoxy is to "practice" it. There is a yearly cycle that goes from the birth of the Mother of God through her Repose. Each major event in the life of Jesus is celebrated as a feast day Every day there are prescribed Gospel and Epistle readings. As well, each day we commemorate the life of a Venerable (a Saint or Martyr). Plus, on "minor" feast days we may also venerate a special icon or the cross as these apply to the life of the church.

Royal Hours: There are four "Royal Hours" prescribed: the First, Third, Sixth & Ninth Hours and include special scripture readings. These can be celebrated on Friday in the late morning or early afternoon. They can be celebrated either together as one service, or separately (each hour on the hour). If the latter option is chosen, then the faithful may avail themselves to the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) between the Hours. These Hours take their name from the fact that in imperial days, the Emperor and royal family would attend these services on this day.

It consists of psalms, hymns and readings, dealing with the death of Christ, in contrast to His divinity, and in expectation of His Resurrection. One of the hymns relates: "He who holds all things is raised up on the Cross and all creation laments to see Him hang naked on the Tree". The thoughtful, and well-written Odes,, sung by the choir, compare the Compassion of God and the cruelty of man; the Might of God and the moral weakness of man. The Odes picture all Creation trembling when witnessing its Creator hung by His own creatures: "Creation was moved . . . with intense astonishment when it beheld Thee hung in Golgotha". The Odes remind us of the vision of Isaiah, who saw Christ, "the unwaning light of the manifestation", and cried aloud, "The dead indeed shall arise and all those on earth shall rejoice". During this service the Body of Christ is carried in procession around the church. In some parishes the entire flower-bedecked Sepulcher, symbolizing the Tomb, is carried in the procession.

It is the evening of repentance, confession and the remission of sins by the Lord, preparing the faithful to receive Holy Communion …. Holy Unction is the Mysterion for cleansing sins and renewing the body and the spirit of the faithful. Holy Unction is one of the seven Sacraments of the Church, and it has its origin in the practice of the early Church as recorded in the Epistle of James (5:14-15). At the end of the service, the priest anoints the people with Holy Oil, the visible carrier of the Grace of God.