questions about Holy Week

[kamikat]

I know that the guidelines for fasting for DL and PSL are for prep for the Eucharist. Since many of the services during Holy Week do not involve the Eucharist, is a total fast prior to the service not required? Also, I'm kinda confused about a couple services. In this week's bulletin, it lists Great and Holy Thursday as a Vesperal Divine Liturgy. I know what Vespers is and I know what DL is, but what is a versperal Divine Liturgy?
Thanks!
kamikat

[gzt]

you don't need to fast prior to services in general.

a vesperal divine liturgy is kind of like a divine liturgy pasted onto vespers. it's prescribed for the days before natitivy, theophany, and pascha, as well as holy thursday. if you want the actual text or the order of the service, we can provide that.

[Monica, child of God]

PSL is basically a Vesperal Divine Liturgy is it not? We have the evening Psalms, O Gladsome Light, etc. etc.

M.

[Matrona]

PSL is basically a Vesperal Divine Liturgy is it not? We have the evening Psalms, O Gladsome Light, etc. etc.

Not really. A Pre-Sanctified Liturgy is just for Lent, the Eucharist is already consecrated, all those different penitential hymns, etc.

A Vesperal Divine Liturgy is just a regular Divine Liturgy, with the first half of Vespers in place of the Antiphons and Litanies since Vesperal Divine Liturgies are normally served at night.

[kamikat]

A Vesperal Divine Liturgy is just a regular Divine Liturgy, with the first half of Vespers in place of the Antiphons and Litanies since Vesperal Divine Liturgies are normally served at night.

Thanks for the explanation. Our church is having a vesperal Divine Liturgy on two mornings this week.

kamikat

[Akathist]

Orthodox who are preparing to receive the Eucharist fast before any DL, vesperal or not.

But for Bridegroom Matins, for example there is only the normal Holy Week Fast. (Lenten fast, only Lent is over technically... but the same foods as the Lenten fast.)

One part of Holy Week that is different is no eating on Saturday before the evening Pascha service (techically the Pascha service is morning, but at 11:30 pm it feels like evening to me.) How we handle this at my church is that there can be a light lunch on Saturday then nothing after that unless one has health problems or is pregnant or is a child.

[Monica, child of God]

Do adjust the fast according to your strength with your priest's blessing though. The Paschal service is beautiful but lengthy. Maybe this is also because my parish is crammed to the gills but it is also very hot and stuffy. I thought I was going to faint from lack of water and hunger during my first Pascha. Since then I have begun the complete fast later than lunchtime even though I don't fall in the "health problems or pregnant category."

M.

[gzt]

well, the typikon directs that the vesperal liturgy of st basil be served in the afternoon, but that a light meal be given afterwards. consult your own priest for explicit directions.