Bishop THOMAS Visits St. Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church in Emmaus, Pennsylvania

His Grace Bishop THOMAS was present for the Pre-sanctified Liturgy served at St. Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church in Emmaus, Pennsylvania on Holy Tuesday morning. At the end of the Liturgy, Sayidna detailed to those in attendance the historical nature of this liturgical service. He told the worshipers of how the Church wanted its communicants to partake of the Body and the Blood of Our Lord during Great Lent other than just on Saturdays and Sundays. His Grace then imparted His Blessing to those in attendance.

Sayidna Thomas returned to St. Paul on the evening of Holy Wednesday for the Holy Unction Service in which he read the Seven Gospels, blessed the oil and the wine, and read the prayer of the Gospel that asks God to heal those in attendance. His Grace then anointed some of those in attendance, and presented to the worshippers a spiritually moving homily with regard to healing and Our Lord's Passion. All were inspired by the Holy Unction Service and His Grace's words.

His Grace returned for the very last time during Holy Week for the Good Friday Vespers known as the Unnailing Service. He took down the body of Our Lord from the cross; he placed the Epitaphios in the bier; concluded the service; and once again spoke about Our Lord's suffering and His death on the cross. Sayidna Thomas then spoke about Our Lord's Resurrection as well. He told the congregation that the death and the resurrection of Our Lord can never be separated. It is in both that we mercifully receive our salvation.

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