HOLY WEEK: Background information

In order to teach about Holy Week, the instructor must be familiar with some basic Holy Week facts. At the pages linked below, we summarized a number of teaching points for each day that we believe are useful to know. We are also including external links that we have found helpful.

HOLY MONDAY EVENING

The parable of the ten virgins

BIBLE READING: Matthew 25: 1-13

Links to our pages

The icon types of the Extreme Humility and the Bridegroom

External links

Great Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Great and Holy Monday, Orthodox Church in America
Services of the Bridegroom, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Ancient oil lamps, Wesleyan University
Christian terracota oil lamps, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

HOLY TUESDAY EVENING

The anointment of our Lord with myrrh by the woman in Bethany

BIBLE READING: Matthew 26: 6-13

Links to our pages

The relevant Gospel stories
The icon types of the Extreme Humility and the Bridegroom

External links

Great Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Great and Holy Tuesday, Orthodox Church in America
Great and Holy Wednesday, Orthodox Church in America
Services of the Bridegroom, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

HOLY WEDNESDAY EVENING

The Mystical Supper

BIBLE READING: Luke 22: 14-23

Links to our pages

The icon of the Mystical Supper

External links

Great and Holy Thursday, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Great and Holy Thursday, Orthodox Church in America

HOLY THURSDAY EVENING

The Holy Passion

BIBLE READING
On Holy Thursday evening, the “Twelve Gospels” are read.
The parts about the Crucifixion are:
Mark 15: 21-32, Matthew 27: 35-54, Luke 23:32-49
The parts about the Burial are:
John 19: 25-37, Mark 15: 43-47, John 19: 38-42, Matthew 27: 62-66

Links to our pages

The icon types of the Extreme Humility and the Bridegroom

External links

Great and Holy Friday, Greek Orthodox Church of America
Holy Friday, Orthodox Church in America

HOLY FRIDAY EVENING

The Entombment

BIBLE READING
The Gospel readings for the Vespers of Holy Friday are:
Matthew 27:1-38, Luke 23:39-43, Matthew 27:39-54, John 19:31-37,
Matthew 27:55-61.

Links to our pages

The Epitaphios icon and the relevant tradition

External links

Holy Friday Evening, video by the Greek Orthodox Church of America
Hymns of Great and Holy Friday, audio files, Greek Orthodox Church of America