Palm Sunday

This past Sunday was Palm Sunday for Orthodox Christians. At the end of Liturgy Father Richard led us in the procession of palms down the main street and back to the church. In this picture you can see Fr. Richard with the icon of Christ's entry into Jerusalem, Deacon John who is a very quiet-spoken and caring man, and inbetween them in black is Father's son Romanos, a novice monk who is always welcoming and friendly and very easy to be around. Deacon Demetrius, who has the censer in the next picture, is also very nice. He and his wife have already invited us over for a barbeque at their house when the weather gets warmer.

The weather was really nice. Except for the cool wind you might not have needed to have coats on!

The kids were pretty excited that they got to have two whole palm branches instead of a single blade of a palm. They also found it interesting to see the reactions of the people driving by in their cars.

Once back inside the church the deacon put palm branches on the icons and on the red carpet in the middle of the church.

Later that evening we went back for the Bridegroom service. The setting sun peeked in for just a moment and lit everything up beautifully! Holy Week is upon us!