The ceremonies of Holy Week include those of Palm Sunday and the Sacred Triduum (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the liturgies of Easter beginning the Great Vigil on Saturday evening). The Triduum begins with sundown on Maundy Thursday and extends until sundown on Easter. It corresponds to the ancient celebration of the Pascha, with two days of fasting and one of celebration. It represent single liturgical act, from Maundy Thursday through Easter. This is the period in which we “pass over” with Christ from death to life, celebrating each event in the drama of our salvation and entering into the mystery of dying and rising again with the Lord of life.
Please join us for any or all of the following services in whatever way you can.
We open Holy Week with a service marking the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and move to the story of Christ’s utter rejection and crucifixion outside the gates of the city.
Services are held in the nave (main church) unless otherwise noted. Livestreamed services can be viewed on our YouTube channel here.
Vigil of Passion (Palm) Saturday
- 5:00 PM – A less formal service – The Lady Chapel – North Transept (In-person only)
Passion (Palm) Sunday
- 8 AM Recited Eucharist (In-person only)
- 10:30 AM Choral Eucharist with the Blessing and Procession with Palms and Recitation of the Passion (In-person and live webcast.)
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in Holy Week
- 6 PM – Stations of the Cross
Wednesday in Holy Week
- 10 AM – The Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Healing, Trinity Chapel
Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday begins the Great Three Days (The Triduum) as we remember the Last Supper, the agony in the garden of Gethsemane and Jesus’ journey to the cross and crucifixion. The service culminates with the night vigil in the garden. What begins today does not truly end until the celebration of the Great Vigil on Easter Eve.
- 5:30 PM – Agape Meal: a simple supper preceding the service. Click here to RSVP.
- 7 PM – Solemn Eucharist with Washing of Feet Procession to Chapel of Repose to follow. (In-person and live webcast.)
Good Friday
On this most solemn of days, we come together for scripture, music, and ancient prayers to reflect upon the suffering, crucifixion, and death of Jesus Christ remembering “The Seven Last Words of Jesus from the Cross.”
- 7:00 PM – Solemn Celebration of the Lord’s Passion (In-person and live webcast)
Holy Saturday
A day dedicated to quiet reflection and anticipation of the joys of Easter.
The Great Vigil and the First Eucharist of Easter
High drama marks The Great Vigil of Easter as we begin in silence and darkness only to watch mere sparks grow to great lights and quiet chants crescendo to triumphant songs that symbolize the triumph of Christ over death and the grave. This liturgy begins the long celebration of Easter that ends only on the Feast of Pentecost fifty days later! Join us for this sensory feast that will help us put off the doldrums of winter and welcome the new life that is Christ dwelling in us!
- 7:30 PM The Great Vigil of Easter
The Feast of the Lord’s Resurrection – Easter Sunday
Join us as we proclaim the raising of Jesus Christ from the dead through word and song in a festive service marking the beginning of the Easter season.
- 8 AM: Festal Eucharist
- 10:30 AM: Choral Eucharist (In-person and live webcast.)
All children are invited to an Easter egg hunt following the 10:30 service.
Choral Evensong for Easter
To continue the celebration of Easter. St. Luke’s choir will be joining with the choir of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral of Harrisburg for a Choral Evensong for Easter on Sunday, April 12, at 4 PM at St. Luke’s and Saturday, April 18, at 5 PM at the cathedral. Evensong is a completely sung Vespers service preserved through the centuries in English cathedrals and college chapels. A recital by the organists of both churches will follow the Evensong services.
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