Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM MARCH 29 - APRIL 4, 2023 UCW 19 Holy Week holds significance for Christians a STAFF REPORT Easter Sunday is often described as the holiest day on the Christian calendar. A day when Christians across the globe commemorate and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Easter Sunday is the culmination of the Lenten season of sacrifice. Easter Sunday comes on the heels of Holy Week, which is the most sacred week in the liturgical year in Christianity. Holy Week consists of various days that have their own special significance in the minds and hearts of Christians. Palm Sunday marks the begin- ning of Holy Week. Trinity College at the University of Melbourne notes that Palm Sunday commemo- rates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, where He was greeted with crowds that enthusiastically waved palm branches. In commemoration of that entry and greeting, Christians receive palm branches or palm crosses during Palm Sunday Mass. Holy Wednesday Once known as "Spy Wednesday," Holy Wednesday focuses on the darkness of Holy Week and is meant to symbolize the abandonment of Jesus by His disciples. e religious service of Tenebrae, which is a Latin word meaning "darkness" or "shadows," is typically observed during Holy Wednesday services. Maundy ursday commemo- rates the Washing of the Feet (Maundy) and the Last Supper. e Last Supper is the final meal Jesus shared with his apostles prior to His crucifixion. Christian scriptures indicate that, during the Last Sup- per, Jesus predicted His betrayal by one of the apostles present at the meal. It was also during the Last Supper when Jesus foretells that Peter will deny knowing Him three times before the next morning. Trinity College notes that Maundy ursday reminds Christians of the new commandment that Jesus gave His disciples. at commandment was to love others as Jesus has loved them. Good Friday commemorates the trial of Jesus, His subsequent sentence of death, His torture, the crucifixion and burial. Non-Chris- tians may wonder why a day com- memorating such events would be characterized as "good," but Trinity College notes that, in this sense, the word "good" is meant to connote something "holy" or "pious." Holy Saturday marks the conclu- sion of Holy Week. Celebrations of Holy Saturday typically include a late-night Easter Vigil service that involves a liturgy and ultimately the celebration of the Eucharist. e two-part celebration is designed to commemorate the emergence from darkness into the light that is the Eucharist. Holy Week is a significant period for Christians across the globe that commemorates many of the events that preceded the resurrection of Jesus Christ. FAITH Understanding the Stations of the Cross a STAFF REPORT Tradition features promi- nently in Holy Week celebra- tions. e week leading up to Easter Sunday, Holy Week, is a sacred time for faithful Chris- tians. e Stations of the Cross are one of the traditions that many Christians feel bolsters their faith and brings them closer to God. What are the Stations of the Cross? According to Catholic Online, the Stations of the Cross are a 14-step devotion that commemorates Jesus Christ's last day on Earth as a man. Each of the 14 stations fo- cus on a specific event of Jesus' last day. Where can the Stations of the Cross be found? Stations of the Cross are typi- cally found in churches. Many times the Stations adorn the interior wall of a church, and Catholic Online notes they're often depicted using small icons or images. Some churches with sizable exterior grounds may arrange larger Stations along footpaths in yards or gardens on the premises. When do people pray the Sta- tions of the Cross? Lent is the most common time to pray the Stations of the Cross, and some churches hold weekly prayer sessions on Wednesdays and Fridays dur- ing this time of year, often with midday and evening prayer. e Stations of the Cross are an important Easter tradition that shed light on Jesus' resur- rection. Individuals interested in praying the Stations of the Cross are urged to contact a local church so they can en- gage in this moving Christian tradition. Holy Week consists of various days that have their own special significance in the minds and hearts of Christians. e Stations of the Cross are one of the traditions that many Christians feel bolsters their faith and brings them closer to God. e Stations of the Cross are an important Easter tradition for many Christians. According to Catholic Online, the 14 Stations of the Cross are: 1. Jesus is condemned to death 2. Jesus carries the cross 3. Jesus falls for the first time 4. Jesus meets with His Mother 5. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross 6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus 7. Jesus falls a second time 8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem 9. Jesus falls a third time 10. Jesus' clothes are taken away 11. Jesus is nailed to the cross 12. Jesus dies on the cross 13. e body of Jesus is taken down from the cross 14. Jesus is laid in the tomb