Beginning on the evening of Palm Sunday, in every parish church of the Orthodox Metropolis of Korea, the Service of the Bridegroom was celebrated, marking the start of this year’s Holy Week—the journey to the Passion of Christ and His glorious Resurrection.
Every day, morning and afternoon, the customary Holy Services were celebrated with order and reverence, as the faithful gathered to partake in the liturgical experience. Especially the youth stood out for their vibrant enthusiasm and worked diligently—under the guidance of their elders—on dyeing the Easter eggs, decorating the Epitaphios, and preparing many other things.
Many faithful took part in the Sacrament of Confession throughout Holy Week, usually after the morning or evening services.
The choirs filled all the churches with the solemn hymns of the Passion Week. The melodies of the Cross and Resurrection—sometimes supplicatory, sometimes triumphant—lifted the hearts of the faithful to the heavens: “The Lord will command His loving-kindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me—a prayer to the God of my life.” (Psalm 41:9).
The Mystical Supper, the Awesome Passion, the Lamentations at the Tomb… The sacred emotion reached its peak until the arrival of “the day the Lord has made” (Psalm 117:24). The churches were filled with faces from Korea, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Greece, Romania, America, Europe, Australia, Indonesia—all united by the bell of Pascha.
Silence… and suddenly a spark of light. “Come, receive the Light”—and hundreds of candles turned the darkness into a warm sea of flame. “그리스도께서 부활하셨습니다!”, “Χριστὸς ἀνέστη!”, “Христос Воскресе!”, “Christ is risen!” echoed together. The Resurrectional Orthros and the Divine Liturgy were festively celebrated and the triumphant Paschal hymn was sung without ceasing: “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death…”
Following the evening Resurrection service and Divine Liturgy, in which everyone remained until the end, everyone gathered for the festive Paschal meal, a symbol of unity and love. On Sunday morning, during the Vespers of Agape, the Gospel was read in many languages, but the message was one and overwhelming: “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev. 21:5). The communal Agape Meal in the church yard for all the participants and the artistic musical program that followed offered special moments of fellowship.
And so again this year, in the technologically advanced Korea, filled with countless electric lights, the Light of the Resurrection shone—“the Light which enlightens every person” (John 1:9). Now “let every breath praise the Lord”; all of creation rejoices, because “now all things are filled with light.” Christ is risen!
Photos
Holy Wednesday, Sacrament of Holy Unction
Holy Thursday, Service of the Holy Passion