The fourth week of Great Lent comes to an end and the third Passia service of the Holy Forty Days was held this evening in the Trinity Cathedral of the Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery.

“Passion” means suffering in Greek. This is a special service dedicated to the sufferings of Jesus Christ. The Passias are celebrated on Sundays evenings. According to the established practice, there are four such services that equals to the number of Evangelists.

At the third Passia service, following the reading of the akathist to the Passions of the Lord, 22nd and 23rd chapters of the Gospel of Luke were read.

The Holy Week will approach soon when the Holy Church will proclaim daily the events from the Holy Scripture, describing the events before the terrifying Crucifixion and the burial of Our Lord Jesus Christ. With every single Passia service offered by the Church we are prepared to encounter these great days of sorrow.