Holy Week in 2025: how to fast and behave
Holy Week will begin on Monday, April 14, and in 2025 it will end on Saturday, the 19th. At this time, believers remember the last days of the earthly life of Jesus Christ, his suffering on the cross and Resurrection. For more information about the services that are held on every day of Holy Week, the most powerful prayers, as well as about nutrition on these days, see the Izvestia article.
Holy Week in 2025: how to behave, menu
Holy Week is the last week before Easter. In the Orthodox Church, it is the most important of the year and is dedicated to the last days of Jesus Christ's life on earth. Lent also falls on this week, with particularly strong prohibitions in place. Animal products are prohibited, and cooking should be extremely simple and without the addition of vegetable oil, salt, and spices.
Holy Week does not celebrate saints' days, commemorations of the dead are not performed, weddings and baptisms are not held. Each day of the week is dedicated to certain events and has its own limitations. For example, on Maundy Thursday, believers clean up the house. At the same time, they start baking cakes and painting eggs.
On Friday, when the crucifixion and martyrdom of Christ are commemorated, no liturgy is held. This day is also the only one of the year when church bells do not ring.
There are a number of prohibitions for believers during Holy Week:
— mundane entertainment and celebrations. In the days leading up to Easter, you should refrain from attending, for example, weddings and concerts. At this time, it is important to focus on the Lord's sufferings and spiritual repentance.;
— non-observance of the fast. The purpose of fasting is to live this period spiritually.;
— arguments and swearing. There is no need to participate in conflicts, spread rumors, or behave aggressively, because the week is dedicated to silence, humility, and inner concentration.;
— ignoring church prohibitions on holding rituals. Weddings, baptisms, and commemorations of the dead are not held during Holy Week. They need to be rescheduled for other days.;
— hard work. For a week, it is recommended to limit grueling and heavy workouts in order not to be distracted from the spiritual mood. A person should focus on the inner world.
At the same time, there are some things that, on the contrary, should be devoted to during Holy Week. This:
— attending worship services. Every day of Holy Week is filled with special divine services, which are recommended to actively attend, listen to sermons, pray and confess. It is important to feel the full depth of the meaning of the days;
"to pray." During Holy Week, as much time as possible should be devoted to prayer, repentance, and inner introspection. It is not superfluous to read the Holy Scriptures.;
— helping others. As on other religiously important days, it is worth helping those in need, loved ones and participating in charity events.
Holy Week Monday in 2025: prayers, worship, meals
Holy Monday is the first day of Holy Week. On April 14, several Bible stories will be remembered during the church service.
The sufferings of Joseph the Beautiful, whom his brothers sold into slavery. The Old Testament Joseph is one of the 12 sons of Jacob. Since childhood, he had had prophetic dreams. One of them led to his brothers selling him into slavery. But his virtues helped him along the way, and he forgave his brothers. The church sees in the sufferings of Joseph the prototype of the sufferings of Christ.
The curse of the barren fig tree. The Gospel of Luke speaks of a fig tree that did not bear fruit. The plant itself symbolizes the unrepentant and spiritually fruitless soul of a person who lives without faith, prayer and good deeds. A miracle that the Lord revealed is connected with this tree. In an instant, the tree withered and became a warning to all those who do not try to grow spiritual fruits in themselves.
On this day, confession and the liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts will be held at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow at 08:00, and the Matins of Holy Week are scheduled for 17:00. The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts will also be held in the Kazan Cathedral of St. Petersburg (09:00). An evening service is scheduled for 18:00.
Everyone can read the following prayers on Monday:
— Troparion, voice 8. Behold, the Bridegroom cometh at midnight, and blessed is the servant whom he will find watching; but he is unworthy of the pack, whom he will find despondent. Beware, my soul, do not be burdened with sleep, that you may not be put to death, and shut yourself up outside the kingdom, but arise, calling: Holy, Holy, Holy art thou, O God, have mercy on us through the Mother of God.;
— Kontakion, voice 8. Jacob wept for Joseph's privation and sat down on the chariot, for the king was revered: for the Egyptians, without having worked with sweets, glorified themselves from leading the human heart and sending the incorruptible crown.
Dry-eating is provided on Monday. This is one of the strict degrees of fasting, when vegetable products are eaten without oil and in cold form.
Holy Tuesday of Holy Week in 2025: what prayers to read, church service, what to eat
On Holy Tuesday, believers remember the sermons of Jesus Christ, which he preached in the Jerusalem temple and outside its walls. Among them is the gospel parable of the 10 virgins and the talents. For example, the parable of the virgins calls believers to spiritual vigilance. The parable of the talents shows us that everyone will have to answer for their deeds when the Last Judgment comes.
The schedule of services on April 15 at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and the Kazan Cathedral is the same as on Monday.
On Holy Tuesday, as on the day before, you can read the troparion, voice 8, as well as the kontakion, voice 2: O soul, having thought of the end, and having feared the cutting of the fig tree, do diligently the talent given to you, wretched one, awake and calling: may we not remain outside the palace of Christ.
As on Monday, in the context of eating, you need to observe a dry diet.
Wednesday of Holy Week in 2025: what to pray for, church service, what not to eat
On Wednesday, April 16, believers will remember two events.:
— anointing of Christ with myrrh (consecrated oil). The woman poured precious fragrant oil on the head of Simon the leper, which the apostles began to resent. However, the Lord interrupted them and declared that it was a warning of his imminent sufferings.;
— the tradition of Jesus Christ by Judas. One of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ went to the council of the elders who wanted to deal with the Savior. For 30 pieces of silver, he began to look for the perfect opportunity for his betrayal.
On April 16, the services will be held in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in the following order:
— 08:30. Hours, pictorial, confession;
— 10:00. Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts;
— 17:00. General confession, matins of Holy Week.
The schedule of services in Kazan Cathedral is different.:
— 9:00 a.m. The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts;
— 17:00. The General Confession;
— 18:00. Evening service.
As before, the troparion, glas 8, is read. In addition to him, one can also pronounce kontakion, voice 4: More than a harlot, Blessed one, having committed iniquity, I have brought clouds of tears to You in no way, but in silence I pray, I fall down to You, kissing Your most pure ones with love, for may you forgive me, O Master, save me from debts, I call You, O Savior: deliver me from my evil deeds.
As in previous days, believers observe dry eating on Wednesday.
Holy Week Thursday in 2025: prayers, worship, meals
On Thursday of Holy Week, the most important event is remembered — the Last Supper, during which Christ established the New Testament sacrament of Holy Communion (the Eucharist).
In the religious calendar, the name of the day sounds like Great Thursday, and early liturgy will be held in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior on this day at 07:00 (in the Church of the Transfiguration), confession at 09:00 in the temple itself, late liturgy at 10:00, and matins and the reading of the 12 Gospels at 18:00..
The schedule of services in Kazan Cathedral is as follows:
— 07:00. Early Liturgy;
— 10:00. Late Liturgy;
— 18:00. Matins with the reading of the 12 Passion Gospels.
In addition to the troparion, the Kontakion, glas 2, is read.
On Thursday, it is allowed to eat hot lean dishes with the addition of a small amount of vegetable oil.
Friday of Holy Week in 2025: prayer, church service, what to eat
This day is dedicated to the memory of the trial of Jesus Christ, his journey to Golgotha, as well as suffering and death on the cross, followed by his removal from it and burial. The Day is a time of mourning and mourning for believers.
Like Thursday, this day has a slightly different name in the church calendar — Great Friday.
The following schedule is available at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior on April 18:
— 08:00. Great Heel watches, pictorial;
— 14:00. Vespers, removal of the Holy Shroud;
— 18:00. Matins, the rite of burial.
Reproduction of the painting "The Procession of Christ to Golgotha"
In the Kazan Cathedral:
— 10:00. The Royal Clock;
— 14:00. Vespers with the removal of the Holy Shroud;
— 18:00. Matins with the rite of the Savior's burial.
Among the prayers that can be read on Friday are kontakion, Glas 8, and:
Troparion, voice 4. You have redeemed us from our lawful oath with Your honest Blood, nailed us to the cross, and pierced us with a spear, you have exuded immortality as a man, Our Saviour, glory to You;
Troparion, voice 1. I confess to You, O Christ, that torment has perished, and that the power of the enemy has been trampled under foot.: For an angel is lower than a man, but You Yourself, O Lord, have saved us, glory be to You;
Troparion, voice 6. O Lord, condemn you to Judea for death, for the life of all, who have crossed the Red Sea with a rod, and nailed You to the Cross: and who have poured honey from the stone, I have brought you gall. But you have endured by your will, so that you may free us from the work of the enemy, O Christ God, glory be to You;
Troparion, voice 2. You have made salvation in the midst of the earth, O Christ God, and you have stretched out Your most pure hands on the Cross, gathering together all tongues that cry: Lord, glory to You.
On Friday, the 18th, complete abstinence from food must be observed.
Saturday of Holy Week in 2025: what to pray for, church service, what to eat on this day
Holy Saturday commemorates the burial of Jesus Christ, His stay in the tomb and his descent into hell as a redemptive sacrifice for all mankind.
On April 19, confession will be held at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior at 08:00, after which, at 09:00, the liturgy will begin. From 12:00 to 17:00, the consecration of cakes will take place in the Transfiguration Church, and at 23:00 the Midnight Mass will begin again in the temple itself.
The schedule at Kazan Cathedral is slightly different.:
— 09:00. Divine Liturgy;
— 12:30–21:00. Consecration of cakes;
— 23:15. Midnight.
At home, you can read the troparion, voice 2, as well as the kontakion, voice 6: He who has enclosed the abyss is seen dead, and wrapped in humility and a shroud, he is supposed to be in the grave, like a mortal, Immortal: but the wives came to anoint Him with peace, weeping bitterly and crying: This Sabbath is most blessed, in which Christ, having fallen asleep, will rise on the third day.
You can eat hot food, but it must be cooked without adding oil.
The Resurrection of Christ in 2025: prayers, worship, conversation
At the end of Holy Week comes Easter, or the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The significance of this day lies in a person's faith in the resurrection of the Lord from the dead three days after the crucifixion on the cross and giving people hope for salvation and eternal life.
Easter Matins and Liturgy begin at midnight in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. At 09:00, the liturgy will be held in the Transfiguration Church, and at 16:00— the Easter Vespers Service will be held in the church.
Easter Matins and Divine Liturgy will also begin at midnight in Kazan Cathedral. An early liturgy is scheduled for 07:00, and a late one for 10:00. Great Vespers will begin at 17:00.
Among the prayers for this day are the following:
—Christ is risen from the dead." Christ has risen from the dead, correcting death by death, and giving life to those who are in the grave. You need to read it three times.;
— "Having seen the Resurrection of Christ." Having seen the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the Only Sinless One. We worship your Cross, O Christ, and we sing and glorify Your holy Resurrection. For you are our God, do we not know anything else for You, we call Your name. Come, all believers, let us worship the holy Resurrection of Christ: for joy has come to the whole world through the Cross. Always blessing the Lord, we sing of His Resurrection: for having endured crucifixion, destroy death by death. You also need to read it three times.
Lent ends on April 19th. The 20th is the first day of fasting (eating fast food at the end of the fast. — Note). Because of this, the food is prepared in a variety, and the table is richly set. The main decorations of the table, of course, are the Easter cake (the oldest symbol of the resurrection of Jesus Christ), Easter eggs (symbolizing the Holy Sepulcher) and the Easter curd (signifying the joy of the Resurrection of Christ; it is allowed to be prepared only once a year, namely on the day of the Resurrection of Christ).
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