the importance of the passion week

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THE IMPORTANCE OF
THE PASSION WEEK
The Passion Week or the Holy Pascha (Passover) is the most
important period in the year and the richest spiritually. It is a
week full of Holy memories of the most crucial stage of
salvation and the outstanding chapter in the story of
redemption.
The Church chose for this week certain readings from both the
Old and the New Testaments, which reflect, the most passionate
feelings that explain God's relation with Man. The Church also
chose some deep hymns and spiritual contemplation to suit the
occasion.
In the early Church, our Saintly Fathers used to receive
this week with respect and reverence, and act in great
humility.
While fasting, they abstained from eating any sweet food like
honey or jam, as they considered it not appropriate to taste any
sweet thing while commemorating the Lord's suffering for them.
Some used not to cook anything during that week, as a matter
of devotion, and lest cooking should distract them from
worshipping. The majority of Christians used to eat nothing but
bread and salt. Those who were physically capable abstained
from Friday night till Easter Sunday.
As a sign of devotion during this week, women used not to put
make up or wear jewellery. People devoted all their time for
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worshipping; they gathered in Churches for prayer and
contemplation.
The Great Emperor Theodosius was one of the Christian Kings
and Rulers who ordered all Government Houses and Business
to cease work, to enable people to concentrate on worshipping.
Prisoners were also allowed to go to Church and join in the
ceremonies of this Great Week, hoping that it would help them
to reform. Christian masters also used to relieve their slaves
from work all the Pascha Week to enable them to worship the
Lord like their masters, without any discrimination. So both
masters and slaves were able to worship God and enjoy the
effectiveness and depth of this week.