The Orthodox believers begins a passionate week

The Orthodox believers from Monday, April 2, begins a passionate week - the last week in front of Easter, when the church recalls the godparents of Jesus Christ.

The Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Kirill, on the first day of the passionate week, performed the liturgy in the small Cathedral of the Don Monastery of the capital. According to RIA Novosti , this week the ROC is a tradition to perform worships daily. In 2018, one of the 12 main church holidays also falls these days - the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (April 7).

"On April 2, there are also nine days from the date of the tragedy in Kemerovo. With the blessing of the Holy Patriarch on this day, in all temples of the Russian Orthodox Church, after the morning or evening worship, a memorial lithium for the dead will be committed," the Patriarch press service said. In a fire on March 25, 64 people were killed in the Kemerovo shopping center "Winter Cherry", including 41 children. On the third day after the fire in all the temples of the Russian Orthodox Church, memorial service for the victims of the tragedy also passed.

The Church calls all the days of the passionate week. The first three days are devoted to the memory of the last conversations of Jesus Christ with the people and disciples. The services these days read all four gospels. The services of the subsequent days are connected with the godparents of the Lord - the Church recalls the betrayal of Judas, the Secret Supper, taking Jesus under custody, his condemnation, suffering on the cross, death, the burial of the Savior and a descent to hell.

On the great Thursday, believers recall the establishment of the sacrament of communion of the Body and Blood of Christ - the Eucharist. Great Friday is the most mournful day of the church year, when Jesus was crucified and died on the cross. On Saturday, according to the teachings of the Church, the Body of Christ was still "in the coffin", but he went to hell with his soul and brought out the soul of the righteous from it. After the morning service on Saturday, believers consecrate cakes, Easter and eggs.

On Easter night, from April 7 to 8, Patriarch Kirill will perform the procession, Easter mocking and the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. The worship of the holiday of the Resurrection of Christ will begin at 23:00.