PASSION WEEK & PASCHA 2003
AT MAR ELIAS CATHEDRAL, MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO
Seat of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Stephan


Great & Holy Friday

The Lamentations Service
known as the
"Jerusalem Matins"


Metropolitan Stephan seated on the primatial throne during Great Friday Services at Mar Elias Cathedral.



His Beatitude, Metropolitan Stephan and His Eminence, Metropolitan Michael chant the "stations" of the Lamentations before the Sepulchre of Our Lord. Concelebrating was cathedral pastor, the Rt. Rev. Canon George Ayoub.



Metropolitan Stephan walks behind the Epitaphios, carried by the men of the parish, during the Great Friday procession at Mar Elias Cathedral.

The Sepulchre was adorned with hundreds of fresh flowers, brought to the service by the cathedral parish families. At the conclusion of the procession, each parishioner walked underneath the Epitaphios, symbolizing the passage from death to life with Christ. After the dismissal, everyone present received the blessed fresh flowers as a memorial of their participation in Our Lord's funeral service.



Metropolitan Stephan makes his way through the church during the Lamentations Service of Great Friday evening.



At Mar Elias Cathedral, Metropolitan Stephan is seated to listen attentively to the scripture readings during the "Liturgy of the Word" which occurs at the conclusion of the Lamentations Service (Jerusalem Matins) on Great Friday evening.

The readings from the Old and New Testaments use imagery which prefigures Christ's descent into Hades to loose the bonds of those held captive there since the fall of Adam as well as His Radiant Resurrection. The Book of Job speaks of the "dried bones" which shall rise up again, to show the power of Our Lord over the living and the dead.

The Gospel recounts the efforts of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, along with the pious women disciples of Jesus, in providing a dignified burial for Our Blessed Lord. Joseph offered his own "new rock-hewn tomb" which he donated for the occasion, while the women prepared aromatic oils and spices to embalm the Sacred Body of the Messiah.


"Christ is Risen from the dead, by death He conqured Death, and to those in the graves, he granted life."
(Paschal Troparion)


More Easter Highlights from Mar Elias Cathedral.

More Pascha Photos from Mar Elias Cathedral.

Mar Elias Cathedral Website.


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