The Third Sunday of Great Lent marks the beginning of the Week of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross of our Savior. It was a day filled with grace and joy for the parish community. During the service, the Cross was solemnly brought to the center of the church, where it now stands in the place of honor it rightly holds in the life of every Christian.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the parish Sunday School gathered for a lesson dedicated to the meaning of the Cross. The children learned about its significance in the life of the Church and participated in creative activities reflecting the theme of the day.
At the same time, the young men of the parish began preparations for Pascha by harvesting willow branches, continuing a cherished tradition as the community looks ahead to the celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection.

The first week of Great Lent has come to a close. By God’s grace, the faithful stepped away from their usual routines and immersed themselves in the beauty and prayerfulness of the Church’s Lenten services. From the moving Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete to the solemn Presanctified Divine Liturgy, the week unfolded in a spirit of repentance, reflection, and renewed dedication to the spiritual life.
The week culminated on Sunday with the celebration of the Rite of Orthodoxy. Following the Divine Liturgy, the parish Sunday School children joined the clergy in a joyful procession, carrying their icons and proclaiming the beauty and truth of the Orthodox faith.
After the service, Fr. Mark held a discussion with the children about the meaning of icons and the lives of the saints. The lesson was followed by Sunday School crafts, allowing the children to creatively reflect on what they had learned.