By David Luhrssen
The final days before Easter are noted on the calendars of most Christian denominations, but for the Orthodox churches, each of those days is endowed with special meaning.
On Sunday March 31, St. John the Baptist Armenian Church observed mid-Lent (michink) with a potluck of vegan dishes in keeping with Armenian fasting traditions and a talk by Rev. Fr. Panteleimon Dalianis from Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Wauwatosa.
Illustrating his talk with a slide show of Eastern Orthodox icons, Fr. Panteleimon began with the two days that fall in between Lent and Holy Week, Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday. On the first Lazarus Saturday, Jesus wept at the sight of his dead friend and restored him to life, foreshadowing his own death and resurrection and showing his humanity and divinity. Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem; referencing an icon, Fr. Panteleimon showed how the crowd that greeted Jesus was divided in attitude with the Pharisees and scribes off to one side, plotting his death. The lesson is that Christianity has always been opposed in this world and Christians must be prepared for opposition in their own lives.
Holy Week begins on Monday with Jesus’ parable of the withering of the fig tree, warning against religion that has become barren of spiritual truth. Holy Tuesday is dedicated to the parable of the Ten Maidens waiting in the night for the bridegroom (Jesus) to come; five were wise for keeping their lamps burning and five were foolish for letting their lamps go out. The parable is a warning to keep vigilant and prepared.
Holy Wednesday picks up the chronicle of events, highlighted by the harlot who washed Jesus’ feet, foreshadowing Nicodemus who washed Jesus’ body with oil after removing him from the cross on Friday. Holy Thursday reenacts Jesus’ example of humility and service when he washed the feet of his disciples; the washing of feet is followed in Orthodox churches by a ceremony that remembers Jesus’ betrayal.
On Holy Friday, the crucifixion and death of Jesus is solemnly observed by the Orthodox. According to tradition, Holy Saturday marks Jesus’ descent into Hades to free the souls of the dead; Fr. Panteleimon’s icon, more or less replicated by one of our church windows, depicts Jesus extending his hand to Adam and Eve as representatives of humanity. Sunday brings the story’s fulfillment, Easter, the resurrection of Christ.
